By Rev. Laura Baumgartner
We are excited to hear about so many congregations who are beginning to worship with the Eastertide worship series, Believing into Christ, for 2025. And it’s not too late to start! All materials are available here.
Each of the six weeks has a different focus on an intersection between environmental justice and another form of justice. The lectionary texts from Revelation are paired with the gospel readings that tell stories of the Risen Christ. Resources for liturgy, communion, work with children and youth, small groups, sermon illustrations, and more are provided in this partnership between UMCJM and Discipleship Ministries for the six Sundays between Easter and Pentecost. Learn more on the Worship Matters Podcast where we talked all about it.
Later this year, we will be releasing a new Season of Creation series for use during the month of September, or when local leaders find it most helpful. This will be the fourth set of Season of Creation worship resources that we’ve published. The three earlier series are all still available in the UMCJM library. We are now in the planning stages for this series and new contributors are welcome. If you have expertise in working with children and youth, small groups, liturgy, or sermon starters, we need you! We anticipate materials being ready for local leaders to use them in planning starting in July. Contact our chair at kristina.sinks@garrett.edu to learn how you can contribute.
We hear rumors that this fall, there may be a new ecumenical Feast Day that will coincide with the Season of Creation. There will likely be a small pilot of the concept in 2025 and a more robust launch set for 2026. Stay tuned for more on how our Christian siblings around the world will celebrate our commitment to be in right relationship with the earth together in worshipful and meaningful ways.
We love to hear how you are using the materials we produce. Send your ideas, pictures, and stories to pastorlaura@hallerlakeumc.org.