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Columbus Church Earns Green Spot and Energy Star Certification
The First English Lutheran church in Columbus created a Green Team to measure their energy use and carbon footprint. They took those numbers and applied to become a Columbus Green Spot and was soon after awarded the certification. Soon after, they replaced their gas furnace with a highly efficient one and became the first congregation in Ohio to earn the Energy Star Certification. To see the Energy Star certification page for the First English Lutheran Church, see the link below. -
Bellwether Farm
The Bellwether Farm is run by the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio in Wakeman, Ohio. The Farm promotes sustainable and organic agricultural practices and is also a place of worship and prayer. Bellwether Farm holds retreats for individuals and groups in and outside of the Episcopal Diocese who want to further their faith and appreciation of the Earth. There are also day and summer camp programs as well as a book club to get involved in. This statement is from their website:
"Grounded in an ecological spirituality, we at Bellwether Farm seek to care for Earth, welcome guests and make decisions which reflect an on-going awareness of both our responsibility and our joy in living in harmony with all that is. We study, pray, live in community and work within a framework that strives to honor the sacred dimension of creation".
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Engaged Organization: United Methodist Women
Over the years, the United Methodist Women organization has grown to become the largest denominational faith organization for women. Maintaining a membership of approximately 800,000, these women have a mission of fostering spiritual growth and developing leaders, while also advocating for justice. They have excelled at fundraising, raising approximately $20 million each year to go to programs and projects related to women, children and youth in the United States and also in more than 100 countries around the world.
Some examples of resources from their website includes tools to aid in sustainable living and advocacy in a theological way, a carbon footprint calculator, articles on climate justice, and a simulation experience to better understand environmentally downgraded communities. The following section from their website provides an overview of their principles and values in action:
"United Methodist Women and The United Methodist Church's principles and values include:
Promoting the empowerment of women, children and youth.
Promoting anti-racism and multiculturalism.
Promoting inclusion and equity.
Promoting fair labor practices.
Promoting economic and environmental stewardship and sustainability." -
Engaged Organizations: Church of the Brethren
The Church of the Brethren is an organization that has its roots in Germany. Formed three centuries ago, the church continues to draw people who want to continue Christ's work of faithful and loving service. There is no formal "creed" or set of rules to follow. Their focus is on trying to emulate what Jesus did for the world.
Living a peaceful lifestyle and promoting peace among all people is a central tenet of the faith. When encountering conflicts such as warring nations, racial discord, theological disputes, personal disagreement, or mere misunderstanding, Brethren listen conscientiously, seek guidance in the scriptures, and work toward reconciliation.
Years ago, Brethren members were more easily recognizable due to their plain dress and reserved lifestyles. The church continues to maintain a sense of simplicity and modest living. However, Brethren members today live very much in the world, work in a broad range of occupations, and make use of the latest technology. -
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Resource Page
The Christian Church sees their mission to move toward wholeness for the whole world as directly connected to their commitment to creation care. Their resource page offers links to connect with Green Chalice, a partnering ministry that is the official creation care ministry for The Christian Church. Links to further reading, resources for mindful eating, and the Alverna Covenant (a creation care covenant) can also be found on the page. -
Seminary Hill Farm
The Seminary Hill Farm is a ministry on the campus of the Methodist Theological School in Ohio (MTSO). Made of fields, hoop houses, and a greenhouse, the farm works to provide fresh food throughout the year to the Seminary Hill Kitchen, a three-season community supported agriculture (CSA), and local farmers markets. The work of the seminary hill farm supports sustainable practices and MTSO’s commitment to faithful earth stewardship. You can also follow their blog that features articles on eating fresh local produce and life at the farm. -
Madison Christian Community
Madison Christian Community is the community created by Community of Hope, UCC and Advent Lutheran Church, ELCA. They have made environmental care and action a major cornerstone of their mission. Their church website is a wonderful resource for many congregations who are looking for success stories for implementing creation care into one’s own community. -
Engaged Organizations: Web of Creation
The Web of Creation website discuss their organization aim and services that they provide:
"The Web of Creation was established to foster the movement for personal and social transformation to a just and sustainable world from religious perspectives. To that end, the information at this site will:
-Connect you with ideas, resources and strategies for doing eco-justice
-Inform, inspire, encourage, educate you about eco-justice
-Support you in your efforts to live, work and pray in ways that promote eco-justice
The Web of Creation has also been developed to provide information and connections for theology students interested in environmental ministry." -
Engaged Organizations: Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio
Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio discuss their camp facilities, their mission, and their vision on their website:
"Lutheran Outdoor Ministries in Ohio owns and operates 2 camp facilities, Camp Luther and Lutheran, Memorial Camp with support and direction from the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
Mission: Bringing people together to experience Christ through natural settings and programs.
Vision: Connecting all people to faith and nature for a changing world."
The 5th graders at St. Vincent de Paul in Mt. Vernon, OH participate annually in the summer camp program at Lutheran Memorial Camp. -
Engaged Organizations: Caretakers of God’s Creation
Caretakers of God’s Creation is a grassroots community of the United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries. Part of their central belief is the scriptural and Wesleyan theology that the earth belongs to God, not us, and we are given the responsibility to be good stewards of it. The caretakers are on a mission to reveal God to others through creation and motivate people to act on behalf of environmental wholeness and justice. Their website shares more of who they are and what they’ve done.
The General Board of Global Ministries recently launched their new Earthkeeper Program (or brochure) where individuals can engage the movement to face ecological challenges in their congregations and communities. The caretakers share their stewardship stories and encourage others to share their story about protecting and caring for God’s creation. They also provide films, books, information about other faith-based environmental organizations and other resources about how to care for the earth on their website.
Caretakers of God’s Creation will be having their Annual Caring for God’s Creation Conference on April 28/29, which will be folded into the People’s Climate Movement March. -
Episcopal Diocese of Ohio: Bellwether Farm
Bellwether farm is a new camp and education center of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio. It is meant to provide leadership development and teachings through sustainable farming, food production, and care of the environment. It is located in Wakeman Ohio, with the goals of informing, inspiring, and empowering leaders for a sustainable future. The buildings are models of green technology featuring passive buildings, renewable energy, and water reclamation systems. -
Fossil Free UMC
The Fossil Free United Methodist Church is on a mission to get the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church to invest in clean energy companies. Their website highlights what they are doing in their congregations and potentially your congregation.
On their website you will find their strategy to educate, support and converse with individuals, congregations, the General Conference and the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits. They’ve posted blogs of what they’ve done and progress that they have made on their mission to clean energy. You will also find a webinar that you can schedule with your group along with other resources to support the fossil free mission. Fossil Free UMC addresses the effects of fossil fuel divestments but promotes the long term benefits of investing in fossil free energy on their legislation page. -
Engaged Organizations: United Methodist Church and Sustainable Agriculture
The United Methodist Committee on Relief is a non-profit organization that aims to alleviate human suffering around the world. They are a ministry through the General Board of Global Ministries that believe all people have God-given worth. They advocate for hope and healing in more than 80 countries around the globe. One of their initiatives is to work towards sustainable agriculture and food security.
This program focuses on partnering with organizations that empower families and communities to create self-help and sustainable solutions to food security. They are currently partnering with eighteen organizations to implement food security projects in twenty-two countries including the United States. Their key priorities include:
Providing resources and technical support rural families need to grow or buy enough food to maintain a healthy and productive life.
Building the capacity of farmers, pastoralists and fishermen to reverse the trend of poor land and water resource management.
Strengthening the impact of agricultural projects by improving household health and nutrition behaviors with a specific focus on pregnant women and children under age 5.
Supporting the introduction and use of appropriate agricultural technology that is suitable to the knowledge, skills, capacities, interest, and economics of people and communities.
In conjunction with these priorities, the UMCOR places a focus on nutrition. Through their sustainable agriculture and food security program, they educate farmers, raise awareness of global undernutrition, and urge governments in developing nations to support sustainable agriculture. Additionally, they endorse the Scale up Nutrition framework which works to improve nutrition around the globe, especially in young children. Their initiative, called the 1,000 Days Movement, works to improve the nutrition in the first 1,000 days of a child’s life which can have an exponential impact on the future of these lives. The UMCOR encourages faith communities to support and work with the Scale Up Nutrition movement and assist in the end of undernutrition through sustainable agriculture. -
Engaged Organizations: The General Board of Church and Society
The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church. They are defined by its five areas of ministry: Public Witness, Advocacy Administration, Ministry of Resourcing Congregational Life, United Nations Ministry, and Communications. Their website contains ways to get connected, topics to explore, and ways to take action. -
Engaged Organizations: Lutherans Restoring Creation
Lutherans Restoring Creation is resource for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They are a grassroot movement of Lutherans that believe being earthkeepers is a foundation of the Christian vocation. Their goal is to incorporate care for creation into the organizational patterns, worship life, educational programs, and lifestyle of members at home and work. Their website includes programs, events, resources, and ways to get involved. It also includes their ideas on an Eco-Reformation that they believe is necessary to help the church encompass care for all of God’s good creation. -
Bowling Green Church Installs Solar Panels
Peace Lutheran Church in Bowling Green has installed solar panels on the south side of the building that are expected to save up to 25% of their utility bill. The solar panels are one of three projects that are a part of the churches mission of Creating Christ Connected Community. The other two projects include helping a Syrian Refugee family and building a new playground. -
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Downloadable Resource
The Evangelic Lutheran Church in America offers downloadable resources to help encourage others to care for creation. The resources include Hunger & Climate Change, Awakening to God’s Call to Earthkeeping, Poverty and Hunger in a Changing Climate, and more. -
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Since 1939, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service has welcomed more than 379,000 refugees to the United Stated. They believe their work to be driven by God’s love for all people and a vision for congregations to be welcoming and generous centers for mission and ministry. Their work includes responding to people caught in conflict and facing persecution, advocating for their needs and interests, helping people access resources for basic human needs, working with foster care programs for minors, legal assistance, developing new and innovative service programs and partnerships, and much more. -
Green Justice Congregations
Sustainability and becoming “green” are more than just simple actions. Many people believe that to truly achieve environmental stewardship, the culture and how we look at things needs to be changed. The United Church of Christ has provided a resource to help faith communities make this change. Their program can be adopted by anyone who wants to help make an impact in their own community. -
Engaged Organizations: General Board of Global Ministries
General Board of Global Ministries discuss their vision and span of their work on their website. Their areas of impact run the gamut for a multitude of environmental and social justice issues:
"Connection is at the core of our work. Global Ministries connects The United Methodist Church, its people and congregations to partner with others engaged in God’s global work, which takes place in a variety of settings, countries and cultures.
Global Ministries works through missionaries and partners in more than 60 countries around the world. " -
Engaged Organizations: Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary participates in the Green Seminary Initiative. In addition to their larger mission (as stated on their website at https://www.austinseminary.edu/), the GSI website describes their environmental efforts:
"Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary has offered three faith-based environmental courses: “Environmental Ethics,” “Nature, Theology, and Ethics: Christian Spirituality and Creation Care,” and “Christian Creation and Spirituality.” These courses are taught by Dr. William Greenway, Associate Professor of Philosophical Theology. During his tenure at Austin, Dr. Greenway has taught several other faith-based environmental courses including "Nature, Theology, and Ethics" and an experiential course titled "An Adventure in Wilderness and Spirituality." In recent years, Austin has been steadily increasing its environmental commitments through its curriculum and communal worship. In joining the program, Austin brings cross-disciplinary faculty expertise, commitment to outdoor chapel services, and the implementation of an Energy Management System to reduce the school’s carbon footprint."
Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary strives to infuse care of the earth into all aspects of theological education. -
Engaged Organizations: Boston University School of Theology
Boston University School of Theology participates in the Green Seminary Initiative. In addition to their larger mission (as stated on their website at https://www.bc.edu/content/bc-web/schools/stm.html), the GSI website describes their environmental efforts:
"Located in Boston, MA, Boston University School of Theology is a United Methodist seminary with broad ecumenical connections, including Episcopal and United Church of Christ Communities of Learning. BU has been actively working toward ecological justice since 2008, and built green initiatives into their strategic plan in 2010. BU brings to the Green Seminary Initiative an expertise in how to imagine what is possible as a theological school embedded in a large university that is also committed to ecological sustainability. They also exemplify what it means to transform curriculum and communal practice, and renovate aged buildings."
Boston University School of Theology strives to infuse care of the earth into all aspects of theological education. -
Engaged Organizations: Claremont School of Theology
Claremont School of Theological participates in the Green Seminary Initiative. In addition to their larger mission (as stated on their website at https://cst.edu/), the GSI website describes their environmental efforts:
"Claremont School of Theology in Claremont, CA, is a United Methodist Church seminary. Ecological sustainability has been a priority for the school since the tenure of Professor John Cobb, an early eco-theologian who began work at Claremont in 1960. Claremont held its first conference on the environmental crisis in 1971. The leaders of Claremont’s Green Team, Dr. Philip Clayton and Kristin Ritzau, shared with GSI that they see the certification process as a way to become a place of ecological education and empowerment for seminary leaders, students, and community members in Southern California. Claremont enters the program eager to share its curriculum and syllabi from multiple eco-classes and programs."
Claremont School of Theology strives to infuse care of the earth into all aspects of theological education. -
Engaged Organizations: Columbia Theological Seminary
Columbia Theological Seminary participates in the Green Seminary Initiative. In addition to their larger mission (as stated on their website at https://www.ctsnet.edu/), the GSI website describes their environmental efforts:
"Columbia Theological Seminary, a school in the Presbyterian Church (USA), has been a leader in ecological theological education for the last decade. They have two LEED Gold buildings on campus in Decatur, GA, was one of the founding members of the Seminary Stewardship Alliance, and their late president Steve Hayner began a Sustainability Commission that continues to this day. They also bring to the certification program a commitment to health, imagination, and resilience."
Columbia Theological Seminary strives to infuse care of the earth into all aspects of theological education. -
Engaged Organizations: Drew Theological School
Drew Theological School participates in the Green Seminary Initiative. In addition to their larger mission (as stated on their website at https://www.drew.edu/theological-school/), the GSI website describes their environmental efforts:
"Drew Theological School, a seminary of the United Methodist Church and part of Drew University in Madison, NJ, hosts The Green Seminary Initiative. Professor Laurel Kearns heads the Green Team, which also includes Dr. Catherine Keller and Dr. Heather Elkins on the faculty. All three publish, teach, and lecture on topics related to theology and eco-justice, joined by several other faculty who bring environmental concerns into their classes. Recently, eco-justice began to be integrated throughout the curriculum, building on almost two dozen courses with an ecological focus, including several required courses. Students can focus on religion and ecology in all degree programs. Drew’s other environmental initiatives include environmental justice field trips, native species and integrated pest management, water bottle refilling stations, reusable cutlery and sustainable food options. The campus includes a community garden, arboretum, labyrinth, native species planting, and a forest. The school is particularly proficient in establishing environmental policies to guide its institutional practices, and integrating environmental themes into chapel services, curriculum, speakers, cross-cultural trips, and broad social justice work."
Drew Theological School strives to infuse care of the earth into all aspects of theological education.