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January News |
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 the full power of the Creation Justice Movement’s Newsletter, Café, Tips, Working Groups, plus networks and partnerships with justice-seeking organizations, we are ready and willing to work together as faithful disciples and on behalf of God’s good creation.
Join us—the new year and the opportunities are before us!
Happy New Year from the UMCJM Communications Team!
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Action Alerts |
Tell Congress to protect Inflation Reduction Act funding to address the climate crisis and to promote creation justice. |
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Express Your Gratitude for Their ActionIn many ways, Christians are defined by gratitude. Acknowledging God’s incredible creation and Jesus’s redemptive work naturally spills over into gratitude and support for people on the frontlines who promote justice and peace. To that end, we encourage all United Methodists to thank the U.S. Executive Branch for two recent actions that will reduce damages associated with fossil fuels: September 2023: The White House canceled all oil- and methane-drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, thereby reducing harm to Alaskan Natives and the climate. The White House comments phone line is 202-456-1111. December 2023: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a rule to reduce climate-harming emissions of methane and other heat-trapping gases from oil and natural gas operations. Here is how to contact the EPA.
Expressing gratitude, even as simple as making a phone call, builds relationships and reassures government officials that environmental health matters to United Methodists. Not sure what to say? Simply state your name and that you are a United Methodist Christian concerned about the environment. Then, say that you appreciate the specific action taken. Tell why the action deserves your gratitude and the positive effect it will have on you and those you love. That’s it!
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Creation Justice News |
| Climate Change, Climate Justice,
Africa and the ChurchOpEd from Dr Richard Gillum
in UM-Insight
READ HERE |
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Upcoming Events |
No UMCJ Movement Café in JanuaryWe are taking a break from the Cafe in January. Mark your calendars for February 21 when the Cafe will feature a training from the Advocacy Team on State and Local Advocacy. In the meantime you can enjoy all of the wonderful Movement Cafe conversations from 2023 here. |
| Unnatural Disasters: Creation Care in the Age of Climate ChangeJanuary 21, February 18, March 17 This series of three documentaries will take you to places around the country experiencing unnatural disasters in the age of climate change. Sponsored by the East and West Ohio conferences of The United Methodist Church REGISTER |
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| Spring 2024 Online Global Ministries EarthKeepers TrainingMarch 1–16, 2024 on Zoom Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training program that equips U.S.-based United Methodists to launch and grow environmental projects in their communities. LEARN MORE |
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Be an EarthKeeper! by Rev. Paul Mitchell |
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Featured Stories:2023 in Review |
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Newsletter Highlights to Resolve in a New Year
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.
READ MORE
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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. Read more to find out what 57 new Global Ministries EarthKeepers launched in 2023 and find inspiration for your own project in 2024!
READ MORE |
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Resources |
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Join a Movement Work TeamThe UM Creation Justice Movement has a variety of active groups that are working to advance particular areas of work within the church.
Green Teams—will meet Monday, January 22, 1:00 pm Eastern Time to share resources and ideas for promoting local congregational green teams. Contact Grace at climate@neumc.org.
Congregational Solar—launched in the October 18 Movement Café—will work to develop networks in the denomination to support more solar on more local churches. Please contact Lou Stagnitto at 503. 997. 0970 or at strategicsolarguy@gmail for more information or to get involved.
UM Wild Church Network—is looking for people who lead or are interested in leading an outdoor church or worship experience. Join us as we create the UM Wild Church Network to connect and resource wild church leaders across the connection. If you were unable to attend the Wondering About Wild Church Interest Meeting in mid-November, you can watch the recording here. You can also fill out the form to be added to the mailing list for the upcoming or future Wild Church Trainings. Contact Rev. Corey Turnpenny pastorcoreyt@gmail.com for more information.
Fossil Free UMC—an outgrowth of the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement’s working group on climate finance, which developed the General Conference petition to add “fossil fuels” to our list of ethical investment screens. Our first task is to support this petition at General Conference in April 2024, but our mission is much broader: to build on the commitments of The United Methodist Church to faithfully address climate change by screening out fossil fuels from our investments at all levels of the church and by investing in goods and services that support a just transition to a clean energy future. Visit https://fossilfreeumc.net/ or contact info@fossilfreeumc.net for more information.
If these or any of the other teams working on Advocacy, Worship,
Annual Conference Organizing, or Communications interest you,
reach out to umcreationjustice@gmail.com to get connected.
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Creation Justice 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 beginnings
with 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. | |
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| Sample Tip
We’re charging into a new political year, yet the 1774 voting advice of John Wesley is still relevant. The stakes are high for creation and for justice. Listen closely to the candidates’ pitches and find out more about their record of action. Support those who work for good for all. Encourage friends and family to engage also.
Then vote. |
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