Creation Justice Methodists observe Earth Day

First United Methodist Charlotte hosts Vigil for Creation

by Audrey Stanton-Smith

More than 200 people, including delegates and observers in town for General Conference, gathered at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte Monday evening for an Earth Day Vigil for Creation.

Sponsored by The United Methodist Creation Justice movement, United Women in Faith, Global Ministries, Love Your Neighbor Coalition, and the General Board Church and Society, the gathering included a vegetarian and vegan meal, worship featuring speaker Dr. Musa Dube, Native American sacred storytelling, and a candlelight vigil on the steps of the historic Charlotte church.

“Sometimes, when you’re doing the environmental work in the church, it feels a little bit alone,” the Rev. Jenny Phillips, director of Environmental Sustainability at General Board of Global Ministries, said as she sat down to the vegetarian meal. “To be able to have events like this to connect with others who share the same passion reminds us that we’re not alone.”

“It’s like a reunion,” added Karen Prudente, an Earth Keeper with the New York Conference who works in the Philippines. “And at the same time, we’re meeting and mentoring new people.”

“That’s politics,” Prudente said, pointing in the direction of the Charlotte Conference Center, where more than 862 delegates and hundreds of additional observers have gathered for General Conference. “This is ministry.”

But that’s not to say the politics aren’t important to the ministry. In fact, in the Earth Day Vigil for Creation program, delegates were reminded to vote for Creation Justice key legislation. In the Book of Discipline, that includes “Food and Water Safety,” “Establish a Conference Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator in Each Annual Conference,” “Sustainable and Socially Responsible Investments,” “Annual Carbon Footprint and Greenhouse Gas Emission Audit for Local Churches,” “Reporting Church’s Progress on Facilities Becoming Carbon Neutral and/or Having Net Zero Greenhouse,” “Other Ministry Group Coordinators” (adding Green Teams), “Sustainable Practices for Annual Conference Sessions,” and land use amendments for general, annual and district-owned land.

In the Book of Resolutions, petitions include “Energy Policy Statement,” “Reducing Resources in Construction,” “Resolution for Climate Rescue,” “Care of Creation,” “Recognizing United Methodist Support for ‘Green New Deal’ Initiatives and Legislative Efforts,” “Use of Plastic,” “Land Use,” “Green Team Formation,” “Commitment to Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” and the readoption of current resolutions.

All legislation can be found the Advanced Daily Christian Advocate.

“It’s about making The United Methodist Church commit to being stewards of creation,” said Ilka Vega, United Women in Faith’s executive for economic and environmental justice. “It’s about putting our hearts together in making sure we’re doing our part in taking care of creation, in reconciling ourselves with one another and all of God’s beautiful creation.”

Dube, distinguished professor of New Testament at Candler School of Theology, Emory University, explained that a theology of lament is not the same as a theology of hopelessness. She called on those in attendance to expose injustice and call for justice to be established.

Using song and vivid descriptions of nature from her childhood home in Botswana, Dube celebrated creation by recalling milking cows, fetching water, and singing to the moon and stars.

“This is how I grew up,” she said. “The Lord led me into the green pastures.”

But all the while, Dube said, she was “weeping and crying.”

“I cried because even when grace had been granted to my mother, her health had been permanently compromised by the events surrounding my birth,” Dube said. “I cried because I could not understand how I could hurt the one I so dearly love. … Today, in this context of climate change, Mother Earth weeps and groans in pain, and we cannot separate ourselves from her ill health,” Dube said.

Using scripture from Mark 4 and Genesis 1, Dube reminded those in attendance of their creation story and the power of Christ.

“All members of the Earth community … all people of all identities are products of the will of God,” she said. “All members of the Earth and the whole universe are God among us. In other words, we are surrounded by the awesome presence of God in and through creation.”

Following Dube’s message, the congregation prayed for General Conference and the world.

“Grant your church wisdom and unity as we deliberate, and may justice and love for your creation guide our discussions,” they prayed. “Surround us with your presence and inspire us to make decisions rooted in love and understanding.”

Before a congregational procession outside for a candlelight vigil and singing, Ragghi Rain Calentine, Eastern Cherokee and chair of The United Methodist Church’s Native American International Caucus, used traditional storytelling to demonstrate the relationship between plant and animal.

“The most powerful ones among us,” Calentine said, “are the ones who give freely.”

Audrey Stanton-Smith is editor of response.

Cover photo by Paul Jeffrey for United Methodist News.