Creation Justice Blog

News and Stories From Across the Movement

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April 2024 Tips: Me Power and We Power

April 2024 Tips: Me Power and We Power

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” What Margaret Mead, the famous anthropologist, said played out in the story of Earth Day. One man, distressed over the environmental degradation he saw, initiated the first Earth Day, 53 years ago. He claimed his “Me Power.” Another man, employing his organizing skills, joined him and made possible the expansion of Earth Day so that it now reaches billions of people in 192 countries. Together they turned the...

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Earth Day Vigil for Creation: General Conference 2024

Earth Day Vigil for Creation: General Conference 2024

The day before General Conference begins in Charlotte, North Carolina is Earth Day. We will gather at 7 pm ET at First UMC Charlotte and online for a special evening worship service featuring  Dr. Musa Dube, scholar of African Eco-feminisms. Registration details coming soon.

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BONUS Café: A Conversation on Divestment with Bill McKibben

BONUS Movement CaféMarch 7th 2024 10am PT / 11am MT / 12pm CT / 1pm ETHosted by Fossil Free UMC, the UMCJ Movement Cafe, and Climate Cafe MultifaithA Conversation on Divestment with Bill McKibbenOur conversation will center the divestment efforts of people of faith, and the effort to divest in the United Methodist Church. We will hear from Bill McKibben and also William H. Morris. There will be time for Q&A, and to learn out what we can do as United Methodists to be good stewards and faithful investors. Couldn't make it? Here's what...

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Devotional for Lent: Let Us Be A Lifeline People

Devotional for Lent: Let Us Be A Lifeline People

From a reading on the 2nd Sunday of Lent: Hoping against hope, Abraham believed that he would become "the father of many nations," according to what was said, "So numerous shall your descendants be." Romans 4:18, NIV In the book of Amos, the prophet relates a vision where he sees God “standing by a wall, with a plumb line in his hand.” Amos then hears God say, “I am setting a plumb line in the middle of my people Israel. I will never again forgive them.” (Amos 7:7-8) This is a devastating vision. A plumb line is a rule of measurement that is...

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March 2024 Movement Café

March Movement Café: General ConferenceMarch 20th 2024 10am PT / 11am MT / 12pm CT / 1pm ETSponsored by the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, the informal, virtual space of the Café facilitates conversation, connection, and community focused on creation care and justice issues. General ConferenceCouldn't make it? Here's what happened.Our March 20th Movement Café featured the movers and shakers of General Conference. We heard from Mittie Quinn who spoke to the many organizations that are part of LYNC including Black Methodists for...

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Climate Advocacy in Texas

Climate Advocacy in Texas

No one said that advocacy for climate justice was easy.  In fact, successful advocacy takes many forms and requires patience, perseverance, and above all else, flexibility.  That is especially true in Texas, a red state where there is considerable denial of the dangers of a changing climate and where politicians have made profits for oil and gas companies more important than the health and well being of Texas’ citizens as well as the air, water, and land of our state. When most people think about advocacy, their thoughts go first to meeting...

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United Methodist Day at General Assembly

United Methodist Day at General Assembly

On February 1, 2024, more than one hundred United Methodists from throughout the Virginia Conference met at the Pace Center on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University, to spend the day learning about social justice issues and meeting with their legislators. Co-hosted by United Women in Faith and the Virginia Board of Church and Society, this annual event has been ongoing for more than 30 years. In the early 1990s a member of United Methodist Women, serving as Mission Coordinator of Christian Social Involvement, and a member of the...

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“How Shall We Live?” Eastertide Worship Series

“How Shall We Live?” Eastertide Worship Series

“How Shall We Live?” Eastertide Worship SeriesApril 7-21, 2024 or anytime based on texts from 1 JohnThe Worship Team from United Methodist Creation Justice Movement is excited to announce the release of worship materials for use during a short three-week Eastertide season in 2024, based on a collaboration with Discipleship Ministries. The new series is like our previous series in that it has everything you need to bring Creation Justice into the worship life of your congregation, including sermon notes, contemporary and traditional music...

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March 2024 Tips: Look Ahead

March 2024 Tips: Look Ahead

 March in many places is a teaser—warm one day, inviting us tojump into springtime action, but cold the next, slamming us backwith a warning not to rush. Let us rest in the sure knowledgethat God is faithful, and spring will come. In the meantime, we can plan—dream, explore,investigate, discern, prepare, be ready. That’s our faithful response.   Share these Tips with your family, friends, and congregation. Choose any or all. Forward them to someone you care about. Cut-and-paste to put them with your email signature, in your letters and...

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February 2024 Newsletter

February 2024 Newsletter

Pray AND Speak The General Conference of the UMC is now just a few months off: April 23–May 3, 2024. Each of us has ways we can prepare and contribute even if we are not planning to attend. Be aware of and in prayer for key issues before the General Conference delegates, including removal of discriminatory language, regionalization plans, and the revised Social Principles. In another big area, you are especially qualified to speak, as well as to pray. Talk to your delegates about the petitions and resolutions pertaining to climate justice:...

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Creation Justice at General Conference

Creation Justice at General Conference

The General Conference of the UMC is now just a few months off: April 23–May 3, 2024 in Charlotte, NC. Each of us has ways we can prepare and contribute even if we are not a delegate and even if we are not planning to attend in person. Here are some ways you can promote Creation Justice through this momentous United Methodist gathering: Review Creation Justice related petitions and resolutions to be prepared to speak in favor of these proposals with your fellow delegates, in committees and on the floor of General Conference. Let us know of...

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February 2024 Café: Effective Public Policy Advocacy

February Movement Café: Effective Public Policy AdvocacyFebruary 21st 2024 10am PT / 11am MT / 12pm CT / 1pm ETSponsored by the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, the informal, virtual space of the Café facilitates conversation, connection, and community focused on creation care and justice issues. Effective Public Policy Advocacy for Creation Justice at the State and Local LevelWith legislative gridlock in Washington, working for creation justice policies at the state and local level becomes more important than ever. This webinar...

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Pass Legislation for Creation at Your Annual Conference

Pass Legislation for Creation at Your Annual Conference

By Richenda Fairhurst   Annual conference is your opportunity as a United Methodist to have a voice in passing legislation that has an impact on the entire church. You can be an effective advocate in your own church, conference, and denomination. With well over 20,000 United Methodist churches across the US, the actions and values of these churches have significant impact. When it comes to the governance of the church, every United Methodist is a potential legislator. A call for faithful action begun at the local church can become...

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Love Your Neighbor Coalition Efforts at General Conference

Love Your Neighbor Coalition Efforts at General Conference

By Mittie Quinn   In our continuing efforts to reach out and spread the Good News to an ever wider audience, the UM Creation Justice Movement has joined the Love Your Neighbor Coalition (LYNC). LYNC is a partnership of 15 United Methodist Church-related caucus groups working for a just, inclusive, and grace-filled denomination. Individually, these organizations minister to their diverse constituent groups and provide witness to their specific area of concern. Current member organizations serve diverse ethnic populations, address climate...

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Creation Justice and the Revised Social Principles

Creation Justice and the Revised Social Principles

Mark Davies chaired and Sharon Delgado served on the initial team that was convened by the General Board of Church and Society to draft the section of the Revised Social Principles that focuses on creation. Here they explain why they support passage of the Revised Social Principles at the upcoming General Conference.“The great lesson that our blessed Lord inculcates here…is that God is in all things, and that we are to see the Creator in the glass of every creature; that we should use and look upon nothing as separate from God…who pervades...

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Resolutions and Talking Points

Resolutions and Talking Points

There are a number of important Creation Justice related petitions and resolutions before General Conference. Talking points in support of some of them are below. A complete list of Creation Justice related General Conference Legislation that can be found in the ADCA is available here. Also be aware of other key issues before the General Conference delegates, including removal of discriminatory language, regionalization plans, and revised Social Principles.The “Encourage Just Partnerships” resolution submitted for 2024 General Conference...

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Fossil Free UMC: Walking Our Talk about Climate Change

Fossil Free UMC: Walking Our Talk about Climate Change

By Sharon Delgado United Methodists divesting from fossil fuels and investing in a just and clean energy future.“You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16)Fossil Free UMC is an outgrowth of the UM Creation Justice Movement’s working group on climate finance. Our goal is to urge United Methodist boards, agencies, churches, and individuals to divest from fossil fuels, the primary driver of global heating, and to invest instead in goods and services that support a just transition to a clean energy future. Our first task is to persuade...

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February 2024 Tips: Love!

February 2024 Tips: Love!

Five times in Scripture Jesus commanded us to love, turning that word of feeling into a call to action. Usually, the Tips point to actions—the HOW to love. This month, however, pushes us back to the WHY.  As Christians, our love is our response to God’s love. As you center again on the reason, your possibilities for action will become clear. Go, live love! Share these Tips with your family, friends, and congregation. Choose any or all. Forward them to someone you care about. Cut-and-paste to put them with your email signature, in your letters...

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MLK the Environmentalist

MLK the Environmentalist

By Andrew Hartley On 21 January, we celebrated Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday. Among the causes championed by this great Christian leader was environmental justice, an important aspect of care for the natural world. It is a tragic injustice, he explained, that those who pollute the least and use the fewest resources are usually those who suffer the most from environmental degradation. That injustice, we might infer, now includes the poor living next to coal-fired power plants, or the Bangladeshis and Vietnamese whose homes and farms are...

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January ’24 Newsletter: 2023 in Review

January ’24 Newsletter: 2023 in Review

2023 has given us much to celebrate as a creation justice community. In this issue are reminders of where we’ve been working and where you can continue to find helpful resources for your efforts with solar, green teams, net-zero, annual conference legislation, camping and retreat, discipleship, disaster and resilience, worship, advocacy, and more. Pause for a moment to reflect on what we have done together—as volunteers and Earthkeepers, in conversation with UMC agencies, and at conferences and local churches. 2024 arrives with momentum! With...

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Your Incubator for Innovation: Global Ministries EarthKeepers Training

Your Incubator for Innovation: Global Ministries EarthKeepers Training

You are ready to take action on creation care and justice concerns in your church & community, but how do you get started? Become a Global Ministries EarthKeeper! More than just a training, this is an incubation for innovation experience with scripture, theology, justice, project planning, networking, and more.  Your next training opportunity is completely online in March 2024.Apply Now and Don’t Miss it:  https://umcmission.org/earthkeepers (The Fall In-Person Training Dates and Locations to be announced soon) Read more to find out what...

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January 2024 Tips: Feels Like Grace

January 2024 Tips: Feels Like Grace

A new year, a new month, a new day.Despite the night, God's sun is faithful.Despite the dark clouds in our world and our lives,God's Son is faithful. Let us "seize the day" with that assurance.Let us respond to the grace of new beginningswith resolve and joy! Share these Tips with your family, friends, and congregation. Choose any or all. Forward them to someone you care about. Cut-and-paste to put them with your email signature, in your letters and emails, worship bulletins, newsletters, social media, or website.January 2024 Tips   John...

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Newsletter Highlights to Resolve in a New Year

Newsletter Highlights to Resolve in a New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024 As we plan for activities in the new year, it is a good idea to take a few minutes to consider where we have been in 2023 and where we want to go. To that end, this January Newsletter is a look back with short synopses of each month’s Newsletter for review and refreshment. Catch up on something you missed, or refocus for future action. We invite you to enjoy the memories and be inspired for action in the year ahead.  January - Movement Work Teams and Updates The official launch date for the UM Creation Justice...

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December 2023 Newsletter: Advent and Christmas

December 2023 Newsletter: Advent and Christmas

  As Advent begins in the church, in the Midwest over 37,500+ people are following the daily trek of a young moose making his way through birch forests and harvested fields back to his kin and homelands in northern Minnesota or Canada. Rutt—named after a character in the movie Brother Bear—crossed the Iowa-Minnesota border weeks ago, and after braving I-94, as of this writing he has been seen near Bagley, Minnesota. Brenda Johnson, who created and administers the Facebook group, “Central MN Moose on the Loose,” shares her enthusiasm that...

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December 2023 Café: Rewilding Advent

Sponsored by the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, the informal, virtual space of the Café facilitates conversation, connection, and community focused on creation care and justice issues. Rewilding Advent: New Life from Holy DarknessYou are invited to an online Advent service celebrating the wildness of creation. With the Holy Days so much part of our life in faith together, for our December Movement Cafe we will take the opportunity to worship together. Our service will include prayer, song, reflection and communion, and will be...

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The How of Christmas: Tips for Greening Your Christmas

The How of Christmas: Tips for Greening Your Christmas

“Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, Love divine.” Whether we sing that carol or not, as Christ followers we know our faith and our Christmas celebrations are about love. Where we struggle is HOW to love. One answer is the “greening” of Christmas. This month’s Special Edition of the Creation Justice Tips has 40 ways to look freshly at our gift giving, our decorating, our celebrating, and even our putting away. These small actions can help us identify how to care for creation and for justice, in other words, how to love the Creator,...

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Online Global Ministries EarthKeepers Training Coming in March

Online Global Ministries EarthKeepers Training Coming in March

New EarthKeepers Commissioned  57 New Global Ministries EarthKeepers were commissioned online in November. Click here to read the story and watch the commissioning service Online Global Ministries EarthKeepers Training Coming in March On November 20, 2016, Global Ministries commissioned our very first EarthKeepers. In these seven years we have offered 17 trainings in-person and online, resulting in 324 United Methodist laity and clergy across the country becoming Global Ministries EarthKeepers. From projects focused on water and air quality...

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November 2023 Newsletter: Engaging the Local Church

November 2023 Newsletter: Engaging the Local Church

  The leaves are changing color, but in this month’s edition of the Creation Justice Movement’s newsletter and at  the Movement Café, we are focusing on GREEN—specifically learning about Green Teams and their important role in caring for God’s Creation and justice. Local churches and their Green Teams can be true powerhouses in this important work. See below for a host of excellent resources for starting, leading, and resourcing new and already-at-work Green Teams. Then join us via Zoom, November 15th, 1:00 pm ET, to hear from Green Team...

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December 2023 Tips: Christmas is Special

December 2023 Tips: Christmas is Special

So, here is your Special Editionof Christmas Tips. This month you have 40 tips to choose and use. Share these Tips with your family, friends, and congregation. Choose any or all. Forward them to someone you care about. Cut-and-paste to put them with your email signature, in your letters and emails, worship bulletins, newsletters, social media, or website.December 2023 Tips 4 Sections:Greening Your Gift GivingGreening Your DecoratingGreening Your CelebrationsGreening Your Putting Away "We Three Kings of Orient Are; Bearing Gifts..." Greening...

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November 2023 Café: Green Teams and Local Church Engagement

November Movement Café: Green Teams and Local Church EngagementNovember 15th 2023 10am PT / 11am MT / 12pm CT / 1pm ETSponsored by the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, the informal, virtual space of the Café facilitates conversation, connection, and community focused on creation care and justice issues. Green Teams and Local Church EngagementThe leaves are changing color, but in this month’s Movement Café, we are focusing on GREEN—specifically learning about Green Teams and their important role in caring for God’s Creation and...

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