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February News |
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: Efforts to make The United Methodist Church fossil-free. Requirement for Annual Conferences to have coordinators of Caretakers for God’s Creation. Goals for Annual Conferences and local churches to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Development of green teams in local churches.
Information about these petitions and resolutions can be found in this newsletter.
Pray for your delegates and all the delegates convening from around the world. This Holy Conferencing will be a momentous time in The United Methodist Church and prayers are needed.
Karen McElfish Delegate, Virginia Annual Conference |
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Action Alerts |
Congress is still—yes still—negotiating the budget for the current fiscal year, which began last October. While there is bipartisan agreement on the top-line level of spending, right now Congress is considering the details including the amount to appropriate for climate-related accounts. We must continue our faithful advocacy. Even if you have contacted your Congressional delegation before, it is important for them to hear from you again. We have a small window of time to build support for climate funding including for the recently established loss and damage fund. By speaking up now we can shape US budget priorities and build on the momentum of last December’s UN Climate Conference where world leaders—including from the US—agreed to put into operation the loss and damage fund to support communities devastated by the climate crisis. |
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The Biden Administration announced a pause in permitting for new liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals. This marks a victory for the dedicated advocates who have been organizing on this issue, led by Roishetta Ozane and the Vessel Project. Advocates are now working to secure a meeting with the White House to talk about why new LNG terminals are not in the public interest and why the DOE should not issue new permits for LNG export facilities. Thank the Administration for demonstrating the US's commitment to mitigating climate emissions by pausing new permits for LNG terminals. Tell them you support revising the public interest criteria for Department of Energy (DOE) permits to include consideration of climate change emissions. The White House comments phone line is 202-456-1111 and online at whitehouse.gov/contact
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Now is Your Opportunity to 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. READ MORE |
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Creation Justice News |
| MLK the EnvironmentalistOn 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. READ HERE |
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Upcoming Events |
| Movement CaféFebruary 21 10am PT / 11am MT / 12pm CT / 1pm ET “Effective Public Advocacy for Creation Justice at the State and Local Level” This webinar from the UMCJM Advocacy Working Group will focus on how to do local/state advocacy effectively. Presenters: Rev. Emily Carroll and Rev. Laura Kigweba. REGISTER See recordings of past Cafés here |
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| National Faith + Climate ForumApril 16 12pm–5:15pm ET / 11am–4:15pm CT / 10am–3:15pm MT / 9:am–2:15pm PT Join other faith leaders to hear inspiring national speakers and participate in purposeful discussions, practical workshops, and energizing collaborative sessions. LEARN MORE and REGISTER |
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| Save the Date: Earth Day Worship at General ConferenceApril 22 The day before General Conference begins in Charlotte, North Carolina, just happens to be Earth Day so we are planning a special evening worship service (probably around 7:00 pm ET) to be held live in Charlotte and streamed online everywhere else. More details will be coming soon. If you are interested in helping plan this gathering, contact us at umcreationjustice@gmail.com. |
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| April Worship Resources Coming SoonThe UMCJM worship team has collaborated with worship planners at Discipleship Ministries to produce materials for a three-week series using lectionary readings from 1 John for April 7–21, 2024. The theme will be “How Shall We Live?” and will include sermon illustrations, bulletin inserts, and liturgy featuring the texts and ways to demonstrate their relevance from the perspective of how humans and the rest of the natural world can live in harmony. Materials will be available on both organizations’ websites soon. |
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| Spring Wild Church TrainingFirst week of April Do you connect best with God in Creation? Want to create a space for a community to savor the gifts of the Spirit and the Earth? Interested in starting a wild worship service or wild church? You'll explore it all with Rev. Corey Turnpenny, planter and pastor of Church in the Wild. You'll leave this 6-week training with a 6–12 month action plan to start a new wild community! The training begins the first week of April and cost is $200/individual or $300 for a team of up to 5. Register here or contact Corey at churchinthewildcommunity@gmail.com |
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Featured Stories |
Creation Justice at General Conference The 2020 General Conference of the UMC is now just a few months off. 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. READ MORE |
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Resolutions and Talking Points There are a number of important Creation Justice related petitions and resolutions before General Conference and we've created talking points in support of them. READ MORE |
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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. READ MORE |
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Fossil Free UMC: Walking Our Talk about Climate Change By Sharon Delgado The Fossil Free UMC movement is a challenge to United Methodists to walk our talk about climate change. READ MORE |
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Love Your Neighbor Coalition Efforts at General Conference By Mittie Quinn At General Conference, LYNC members share resources to provide hospitality for delegates, staff, and volunteers who are on hand to witness these global gatherings. READ MORE |
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Because the UM Creation Justice Movement and Fossil Free UMC are both part of the Love Your Neighbor Coalition (LYNC) and will be benefiting from services the coalition will be providing at General Conference, your support of LYNC also supports Creation Justice! You can support this important work with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness: |
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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. If these interest you, or you have an idea for a new group reach out to umcreationjustice@gmail.com to get connected.
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A Minute for Mother EarthSign your church up now to receive A Minute for Mother Earth for each Sunday of the month. It's an easy way to help your congregation join in this journey. Send a request to wakeupworld.earth@gmail.com or check them out on the Creation Justice Movement website
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Creation Justice 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 and emails, worship bulletins, newsletters, social media, or website. | |
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| Sample TipJesus said we are to love our enemies (Matthew 5:43-45). He followed that statement with “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:27-37). Recognize the differences in tactics of hate versus strategies of accountability and reconciliation. Speak up for change. Show a better way. |
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