As God commissioned Adam and Eve to care for the garden of Eden, so also are we called to steward and care for the Earth. In honor of Environmental Education Week, April 19-23, 2022, here are a few ways your church can get involved in creation care. 

 

  1. Conduct an energy audit with ENERGY STAR Action Workbook for Congregations: Energy efficiency is the fastest, cheapest, and largest-impact solution for simultaneously saving energy, saving money, preventing greenhouse gas emissions, and saving water. Through the market-based, voluntary ENERGY STAR program, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is helping improve energy efficiency where Americans worship. Use this guide as a resource for ideas on making your church building more energy efficient.
  2. Consider new forms of energy: In 2019, Nashville UMC installed solar panels as a means to steward their environmental impact and financial resources. Read more about its start on page 13. For more resources available to congregations interested in pursuing solar power, including grants and financing options, click here.
  3. Become an EarthKeeper with Global Ministries Summer 2022 training: Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training program that equips US-based United Methodists to launch and grow environmental projects in their communities. Global Ministries seeks U.S.-based United Methodists to lead grassroots environmental projects that are action-oriented, anti-racist, bold, and entrepreneurial.
  4. Create a community garden: A church community garden has the potential to generate food which can combat food insecurity and increase the opportunities to cultivate life-giving community. Check out this UMC resource to discern next steps for planning and planting.
  5. Start a conversation: Read this article “Ways United Methodists can combat climate change,” and discuss in small groups at church to discern your next steps.

 

If you have a passion for living gently on God’s good earth, and you want to help lead our Annual Conference to new levels of ecological stewardship, please reach out to Rev. Jake Ohlemiller at jake.ohlemiller@inumc.org.