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March News |
The work for creation justice is multifaceted. A big part of it is educating fellow people of faith to understand the urgency of this work. Another part is the action we take in our congregations to be more Earth-friendly in the way we run our buildings and care for our grounds. Likewise, the choices we make in our individual lives are key. And, of course, prayer and worship that center creation justice is essential. Still, we recognize that many of the threats to creation are systemic, rooted in the laws by which we live together as a society—laws about where we get our energy, how we get around, how we protect our air, water, and land, that address the emission of greenhouse gasses that are disrupting the global climate, that protect the most vulnerable from environmental harm. And since these threats (and opportunities) are systemic, systemic responses are required. That is why engagement in public policy advocacy at all levels of government must be central to our work. And while we rightly often focus on Washington, laws and regulations set at state and local levels are a big piece of the puzzle. And indeed, it is at that level that federal laws are often implemented or fail to be implemented. In this newsletter, in addition to the monthly federal action alert, you will read articles by two United Methodists (Karen McElfish and Mel Caraway) who are working to shape public policy for creation justice at the state level in Virginia and Texas. You will also be able to access a recording of the Feb. 21 Movement Café webinar which focused on the importance of state and local advocacy. That webinar features presentations by Rev. Emily Carroll, a United Methodist pastor in Louisiana active in creation justice and Rev. Laura Kigweba, Director of Grassroots Organizing for the Board of Church & Society. It is our hope that this newsletter will inspire you to make public policy advocacy in your own town and state a bigger piece of your work to care for God’s creation. If you need help thinking through how to get started or if you would like to become engaged with the UMJM’s advocacy efforts in an ongoing way, the Advocacy Working Group is ready to help. Contact Rev. Paul Slentz, at pslentz53@gmail.com for more information.
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Action Alerts |
We must tell Congress that we need more Climate Justice legislation. We have a moral responsibility as a nation, and a sacred task as people of faith, to care for our climate and the climate resiliency of our communities and to leave a safe and thriving world for future generations. That’s why we need more legislation to prioritize climate justice that will deliver protections and justice for impacted communities, jobs, climate action, and clean energy. |
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Creation Justice News |
| “How Shall We Live?”
Eastertide Worship SeriesThe 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. READ HERE |
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General Conference |
Donate to support our work at General Conference.
Please send checks to Caretakers of God's Creation 3600 N Rockingham St, Arlington, VA 22213, USA. Mark: General Conference on the memo line. |
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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General Conference 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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Annual Conference |
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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Upcoming Events |
| Movement CaféMarch 20
10am PT / 11am MT / 12pm CT / 1pm ET April is just around the corner, which means General Conference is coming soon, as well. Please join the Café as we focus on UMCJM’s role at Conference this year. REGISTER See recordings of past Cafés here |
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| Green Teams Conversation
Working Team MeetingMarch 18
This month will feature our friends Kim Richmond and Jarrod Davis from North Carolina who will share their Green Team journey and host a time of Q&A. You won’t want to miss this exciting and informative session! For the Zoom link reach out to Grace Pugh Hubbard at ghubbard@neumc.org |
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| Save the Date: Earth Day Worship at General ConferenceApril 22 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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More EventsDirect Pay 101: Federal Solar Funding for Houses of Worship Webinar - March 10 Beth Bond Book Club: Good Ground: Volume 2 - Weekly virtual meetings will take place Thursday evenings from 7:00–8:00 pm CT throughout March and April Spring Wild Church Training - 6 week training beginning first week of April
Save the Date: April 4 at 4 pm ET - Coalition building for Climate Justice with UMCJM and Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) featuring Bridget Cabrera (MFSA Executive Director) and Takundanashe Chinogwenya (Drew Seminary, Lawyer, Activist) |
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Featured Stories |
United Methodist Day at General Assembly by Karen McElfish 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. READ MORE |
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Climate Advocacy in Texas by Rev. Mel Caraway 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. READ MORE |
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Submitting Comments and Testimony by Richenda Fairhurst As we grow in faith, we can grow in our ability to navigate public spaces, too, and show up in a good way in places of state and local government, in hearing rooms, and in organizing circles. READ MORE |
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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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Resources |
Lent, Eastertide, Earth Day
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| Energy and Solar Projects |
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A Minute for Mother EarthSign up here for your church to receive free a 3–4 minute-long informative video for each Sunday.
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Creation Justice Tips |
 | Look Ahead
March in many places is a teaser— warm one day, inviting us to jump into springtime action, but cold the next, slamming us back with a warning not to rush.
Let us rest in the sure knowledge that 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 emails, worship bulletins, newsletters, social media, or website. | |
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| Sample TipPlan now for your Earth Day witness. The 2024 event is April 22, but now is your opportunity to engage others in planning for an occasion that raises awareness and sparks action. Find a few interested people, locally or online, dream big, get others onboard, and plan a day to remember. The theme is Planet vs. Plastic. Have some serious fun with that! |
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