Creation Care

All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it. Water, air, soil, minerals, energy resources, plants, animal life, and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God’s creation and not solely because they are useful to human beings.”
— United Methodist Social Principles, ¶160

Today, we understand more deeply than ever before, the profound consequences of our failure to serve as caretakers of God’s creation. Ecological crises and extreme poverty are a reflection of our inability to share the abundance God has entrusted to our care. Ever-expanding scientific knowledge helps us better understand and informs our response to challenges ranging from the health impacts of environmental toxins to the threats posed by climate change.

United Methodists are called to a ministry of reconciliation between God, humankind and creation. In and alongside frontline communities experiencing environmental injustices, we are participating in God’s healing of creation. Through acts of personal, social and civic righteousness, United Methodists are modeling a new lifestyle and advocating for God’s people and God’s planet so that all God’s children can share in the goodness of Creation. In addition to exploring resolutions and resources available in the four categories below, BWC's Creation Care Team has put together these resources.

Nuclear Hazards

The threat of global or regional nuclear war poses a dire threat to earthly Creation and Humanity. Global nuclear war would result in the death of billions of human beings and countless other living things. Regional nuclear war could result in the death of hundreds of millions and have dire global consequences from radiation, climate change, famine. Nuclear war was narrowly averted a number of times during the Cold War including the Cuban Missile Crisis. Nuclear disarmament efforts in the late twentieth century reduced the global number of weapons from over 50,000 to less than 15,000 at present. Yet these are enough to cause the above effects. Over the decades the United Methodist Church has spoken out on this topic: “...the production, possession, or use of nuclear weapons [is to] be condemned. Consequently, we endorse general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.” United Methodist 2016 Book of Discipline, Social Principles ¶165.C

“...we reject the possession of nuclear weapons as a permanent basis for securing and maintaining peace. Possession can no longer be tolerated, even as a temporary expedient.” 2016 Book of Resolutions, #6129

We urge all United Methodists to be informed on this issue and advocate with government officials to negotiate further reductions in nuclear arms using the resources below.

BWC Creation Care Team Chairperson

Minister Sharee Wharton

Creation Care Calendar

In your everyday choices, you can express gratitude to the Creator and Care for Creation. Here are some suggestions. Share these tips with your family, friends, and congregation.

January
  • Use LED lights.
  • Reuse, repair, and recycle.
  • Plant your potted Christmas tree.
  • Serve tap water not bottled water.
  • Keep the car engine off while you wait.
  • Freeze food before it needs to be trashed.
  • On trips use the train or bus instead of driving.
  • Choose metal cans and glass jars over plastic bottles.
  • Shop with reusable bags, not single-use plastic bags.
February
  • Seal air leaks.
  • Reuse, repair, and recycle.
  • Plan a church pollinator garden.
  • Replace gas stoves with electric.
  • Get an energy audit from your utility.
  • Consider a hybrid heat pump water heater.
  • Consider a hybrid or EV for your next automobile.
  • Consider roof solar panels for your church and home.
  • Email your state senator and rep to support green bills.
March
  • Weatherstrip.
  • Reuse, repair, and recycle.
  • Plant a church pollinator garden.
  • Set your thermostat to 68 degrees.
  • Add insulation to attic and outside walls.
  • Reduce consumption of red meat and dairy.
  • Start at study of Climate Justice edited by Rev P Watkins..
  • Increase consumption of fruits, vegetables, especially organic.
  • Email your US senators and representatives to support green bills.
April
  • Commute via train/bus.
  • Reuse, repair, and recycle.
  • Plant a church vegetable garden.
  • Compost food scraps and pet waste.
  • Reuse clothing to save money—and landfill space.
  • Open south blinds for warmth, close to stay cool.
  • Use washable tableware, not plastic or styrofoam.
  • Form and support a church Creation Care committee.
  • Teach church children and youth about caring for Creation.
  • Email the White House to support green executive actions.
May
  • Commute via train/bus.
  • Reuse, repair, and recycle.
  • Eat meatless meals on Mondays.
  • Plant a church vegetable garden.
  • Take a child to a nearby nature center.
  • Request a sermon on creation justice.
  • In summer, set the thermostat to 78 degrees.
  • Form and support a church Creation Care committee.
  • At picnics or bazaars use paper and bamboo tableware.
  • Give to victims of climate disasters e.g. UMCOR #982450.
June
  • Commute via train/bus.
  • Refuse, reuse, repair, and recycle plastic.
  • Ask your county council to ban or tax plastic bags.
  • Use companies that ship without styrofoam or bubble wrap.
  • Buy drinks in glass bottles or paper cartons, not plastic.
  • Refuse plastic straws and plastic ware at restaurants.
  • Email the Congress to end subsidies for big oil companies.
July
  • Go plastic free in July.
  • Reuse, repair, and recycle.
  • Compost food scraps and pet waste.
  • Reuse clothing to save money—and landfill space.
  • Open south blinds for warmth, close to stay cool.
  • Use washable tableware, not plastic or styrofoam.
  • Form and support a church Creation Care committee.
  • Teach church children and youth about caring for Creation.
  • Email the White House to support green executive actions.
August
  • Telework when possible.
  • Reuse, repair, and recycle.
  • Teach a child to care for a vegetable garden.
  • Buy organic foods whenever you can afford it.
  • Support groups working to protect the Chesapeake.
  • Cut hot water use with an energy saving shower head.
  • Stay informed by visiting https://umcreationjustice.org/.
  • Support candidates who are committed to fight climate change.
  • Ask the candidates to support green legislation and executive actions.
September
  • Commute via train/bus.
  • Reuse, repair, and recycle.
  • Compost food scraps and pet waste.
  • Reuse clothing to save money—and landfill space.
  • Open south blinds for warmth, close to stay cool.
  • Use washable tableware, not plastic or styrofoam.
  • Form and support a church Creation Care committee.
  • Teach church children and youth about caring for Creation.
  • Email the White House to support green executive actions.
October
  • Commute via train/bus.
  • Reuse, repair, and recycle.
  • Compost food scraps and pet waste.
  • Reuse clothing to save money—and landfill space.
  • Open south blinds for warmth, close to stay cool.
  • Use washable tableware, not plastic or styrofoam.
  • Form and support a church Creation Care committee.
  • Teach church children and youth about caring for Creation.
  • Email the White House to support green executive actions.
November
  • Commute via train/bus.
  • Reuse, repair, and recycle.
  • Compost food scraps and pet waste.
  • Reuse clothing to save money—and landfill space.
  • Open south blinds for warmth, close to stay cool.
  • Use washable tableware, not plastic or styrofoam.
  • Form and support a church Creation Care committee.
  • Teach church children and youth about caring for Creation.
  • Email the White House to support green executive actions.
December
  • Use LED lights
  • Get a live Christmas tree and plant
  • Compost food scraps and pet waste.
  • Reuse clothing to save money—and landfill space.
  • Open south blinds for warmth, close to stay cool.
  • Use washable tableware, not plastic or styrofoam.
  • Form and support a church Creation Care committee.
  • Teach church children and youth about caring for Creation.
  • Email the White House to support green executive actions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, VISIT:

United Methodist Book of Resolutions: (LINKS TO BE UPDATED SOON)

Creation Justice Ministries

Blessed Tomorrow

The BWC Racial Justice Legislative team hosted a webinar with Rabbi Nina Cardin of the Maryland Campaign for Environmental Human Rights. The presentation recording can be found here. Rabbi Cardin addressed this amendment, its path through the Maryland Assembly, and how we can faithfully advocate for it. Please sign this petition here and support the Maryland Campaign for Environmental Human Rights. Call your legislator and tell them you support the Environmental Human Rights Amendment. 

Creation Care Resources

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Clean Water

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Food Justice

Sustainability