Our faith-inspired work is organized around the four areas of connection, education, advocacy and action.
Here we are thinking about
- connection with God through worship and prayer
- connection with creation through being outside
- connection with others that are doing similar work
In each monthly issue of our newsletter, we list some opportunities for connection. We also have a page listing some of the latest ideas for connection opportunities.
Connection with god
Connect with God as you worship.
Pastors and churches are encouraged to pray for the earth and its inhabitants at all worship services as well as having services and preaching that regularly talk about creation care and climate justice.
Here is a list of Worship Resources.
Check out these pages for our theological understanding and United Methodist Statements made at General Conference 2024.
Connection with Creation
Connect with Creation as you enjoy and explore being outside.
All congregants are encouraged to go outside for 10 minutes each day and be in mindful connection with Creation. You might choose the same place each time — a walking path, or your own backyard — so that you might get to know your “more than human” neighbors better with every passing day. Or you might vary your routine and instead delight in the endless variety of gifts God has placed all around you and reflect on their interconnectedness. We pray that taking on this simple practice will enrich and bless everyone. We, in turn, would be blessed to hear your stories about how this discipline impacts your well-being and outlook over the coming months!
Click the button for some ideas for how you might spend your ten minutes:
Rev. Laurie Bayen, from Windsor UMC, who is also a Global Ministries Earthkeeper, has a new project called Sacred Ground, a free audio nature tour on your smartphone. The app connects visitors to about 50 beautiful scenic vistas, parks, and trails in Sonoma County and beyond. Each location on the audio tour includes information on local challenges related to climate change, a land acknowledgment, an invitation to a faithful action we all can take to preserve and restore fragile ecosystems, and a mindful spiritual practice.
Connection with Others
Connect with others that are doing similar work.
We have a list of other UMC, ecumenical and interfaith groups, and other non-profits that are doing similar work. Also described there is some information about their resources and programs.
Our emails, newsletters and Facebook posts will help connect you with the work being done by some of the other UMC, ecumenical and interfaith groups plus other non-profits. Hopefully, these will inspire you with stories of climate work in our churches and the world, and help to provide you with other resources and assistance.
And Sharing our Stories
Part of connecting with others is sharing our stories so that others can gain ideas and inspiration. We’d love to hear from you and what your local church is doing so that we can share it here and in our newsletters.