January – Gathering Your Team
A Year of Climate Action for Your Faith Community
Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good. You will surely wear
yourself out, both you and these people with you. For the task is too heavy for you; you
cannot do it alone. Now listen to me. I will give you counsel, and God be with you!”
(Exodus 18:17-19)
January’s ACTION is Gathering Your Team.
Let’s ACT together this year to restore the fullness of God’s earth.
Contact zerowastechurch@gmail.com for more information.
You might feel the urgency of the ecological challenges facing our planet currently. You have been reading the articles. You’ve made changes in your household to reduce waste. You have changed your habits of consumption. You have tracked your carbon footprint. What else can we do? The issues seem insurmountable, and while it is true that individual actions can make a huge difference, what about our communities? What action might our community take to care for creation and to fight climate change?
Faith communities have habits, practices, purchasing power, and the ability to make a big impact on the planet’s ecological health. We need not do this work alone. Faith communities can help their people articulate why caring for creation is vital to their faith, and support congregations in moving faith to action.
First step, create a team in your community to help you. Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20) Jesus did not walk his path alone, but gathered others to help and sent out the disciples to do the work as well. We need not do this work alone.
Below are ways you might start to gather your team. Seek out others who are interested in the ecological health of the planet. Find those in your congregation who are passionate about the intersections between climate change, environmental justice, and food insecurity. Talk to your community’s leaders and decision makers. Each month we will offer ideas around a central theme to address in faith and action with your team the challenges to God’s creation.
Action items
1) Identify concerned people and decision makers for your team
2) Create a Green Team with regular meeting
3) Identify possible funds and green grants from your community
4) Order materials for Faith Action Week, April 17-26, from Interfaith Power & Light
5) View the UMC webinar Caring for God’s Creation, https://nccumc.org/
6) Ask leaders to regularly mention Creation in worship services and communications
“Love the creature, as it leads to the Creator.” – John Wesley
“If you want to know the Creator, first understand and know creation.” – Columbanus
This is part of our A YEAR OF CLIMATE ACTION FOR YOUR FAITH COMMUNITY program; A monthly guide to help individuals learn the many ways they can help care for God’s creation.