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April News
Warm Blessings to you this holy week as we approach the Easter Celebration of resurrection and new life. How appropriate that the weeks leading up to Earth Day on April 22nd also offer us the opportunity to refocus our attention on healing our relationship with all of God’s Good Creation. To help you with that important work, here are a few highlights of the many resources that you’ll find below.
 


Finally, with Spring emerging here in the northern hemisphere, it seems especially timely that we are launching a fresh new look to our newsletter this month thanks to the creative work of Tessa Mortenson, our new UM Creation Justice Movement Communications Associate. Look for other exciting enhancements in all our communication channels in the coming months!
Cathy Velasquez Eberhart
Minnesota Hopeful EarthKeeper
On behalf of the Communications Team of the
UM Creation Justice Movement
Become a Global Ministries EarthKeeper

May 7-22, 2021

Turn your environmental passion into concrete action! This virtual training will give you the tools you need to create a plan for an environmental project in your community.
Built to work around your schedule, the training includes 8.5 hours of live learning on evenings and weekends and up to 24 hours of independent learning. Participation is limited to people who are actively involved in United Methodist churches in the United States.
Applications are due April 12 or when spaces are filled.
Apply Now


April is Earth Month!


Is your church planning an event or action?
 
Global Ministries is offering a package of worship resources for Earth Day Sunday 2021, including recorded scripture, litany and sermon. Find them at the link below:
Worship Resources
The Creation Care Task Team of the Florida Conference presented ideas and resources for planning Creation Care Sunday and offer them to the National Creation Justice movement.

Creation Care Sunday is typically planned for the Sunday before or after Earth Day (April 22) and we encourage everyone to participate by planning something special that week. Here is the recording on YouTube of the presentation to get some ideas and inspiration, and the link to the presentation with all the resources.
 
Watch the Video
A New Heaven and a New Earth
The National Council of Church's Earth Day Sunday theme this year focuses on Health, Environmental Racism, & Eco-Justice.
Earth Day Sunday
Resources
Imagine! God's Earth and People Restored
Ecumenical Advocacy Days: April 18-21, 2021. Ecumenical Advocacy Days is an annual gathering of Christian advocates and activists. We worship, delve deeply into the pressing issues of the day, and lift our voices by speaking truth to power on Capitol Hill. EAD 2021 is an opportunity to support this global movement centered on and led by the people and communities most vulnerable to climate impacts due to historic racial and colonial inequities. Together, we will passionately advocate and reimagine a world that lives out the values of justice, equity and the beloved community. EAD 2021 will be a virtual gathering, to be held April 18-21, 2021.

Registration details can be found here:
Register Now

Grassroots Advocacy

Brittany Drakeford spoke about The Capital Market of 20743 and Gethsemane United Methodist Church's involvement with Food-based Policy Advocacy. One purpose of The Capital Market is to “provide healthy, affordable food options to our neighbors and support the growth of local minority owned and operated businesses.”

Learn More >>

Letter Writing Works!

Crys Zinkiewicz led a session on how to do an effective letter-writing campaign. Legislators have said they want to hear from people of faith and 6+ letters or calls about an issue can gain attention.

If you are interested in participating in an advocacy event in your state, click here to find out where/when that might be held. Please make time to advocate with an elected official soon! Record your experience in this Google Form.
This was the latest installment in the Faithful Advocacy Webinar Series,
brought to you by UMCJ's State Level Advocacy Team.
Webinar Playlist
UMW Climate Justice Federal Legislative Day on April 14th

Join United Methodist Women in urging our House Representatives and Senators to pass legislation that prioritizes climate justice through a just and equitable transition!

Sign UMW’s letter urging Congress to stop utility shutoffs and provide economic relief directly to people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Just Energy for All Strategy
and Capacity Building Sessions

These monthly Just Energy for All Strategy and Capacity Building Sessions are intended to provide an opportunity to network, share best practices, and support you in your work of advancing just energy for all at the local, state, and national levels. The format will vary from month to month and may include various speakers, capacity-building, peer-coaching, breakout groups by themes/region, and updates from the National Office.

Next session is on April 21, 2021 from 3:00 - 4:30pm ET and will focus on key concerns and solutions around biomass.
Register Today

Sign up for Climate Justice updates from UMW.
 
-United Methodist Women

Creation Care Network Challenge: Bingo!

Each card will inspire you to connect with the Global Ministries Creation Care Network.

Once you complete four cards in a row, take a photo of the BINGO card on your screen and post it on the LifeStream. Every person who posts a bingo during the month of April will be sent a Global Ministries solar disco party light!!

Click below for your own randomly-generated Global Ministries Creation Care Network bingo card!

Bingo!
The work of dismantling racism and promoting environmental and economic justice continues. Below are several opportunities from across the United Methodist connection to stand in solidarity.
Church Leaders Decry Attacks Against Asians

"There is no us and them, there is only we."

Read the article here.
Enough is Enough: Church Must Break its Silence on Racial Violence

Statement and resources for responding now to aggression against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.
A Call to Stop Anti-Asian Racism

Discipleship Ministries Call to stop anti-Asian racism resources and links.

April Tip: Take a hike/walk in a park or just in the neighborhood on Earth Day. The area doesn’t have to be big. Give each person, even the youngest, a list of 22 items in nature to find. Adapt the level of difficulty by age. Ask the youngest to find a rock, but older ones can find a rock the size of a fist, or one that has red in it, for example. Create teams or just help each other. Have fun! Talk about God’s good gift of nature.

The Creation Justice Tips are a simple-to-use resource for congregations and for sending to friends and family. The 10 Tips include both practical steps and theological understandings of who we are and how we are called to act. Pass the word!
 
April Tips!

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