What a very full month September was for creation care in the North Carolina Conference. We have journeyed together, these last few weeks, in the Season of Creation, and have hopefully grown closer to one another and closer to our Creator. We have a lot of things to celebrate as this Season comes to an end.
The first is the NCC’s commitment to reducing our carbon emissions. As is detailed in this press release, we have set ourselves the task of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% in the next nine years, with an overall goal of being carbon neutral by the year 2050. The Creation Care Committee and the Conference Trustees have already begun working together on an energy audit for the Conference building, and looking into the first steps in this long task. Keep checking back for updates on our progress.
We are also thrilled to recognize the first two certified Green Churches in the NCC: Trinity UMC in Southport, and St. Andrew’s UMC in Garner. Both of these churches completed the requirements for the Green Church Initiative, and are continuing to do the work of caring for their neighbors by repairing the environment around them. Congratulations to Trinity and St. Andrew’s, and we look forward to working with the next class of Green Church Initiative churches. Sign your church up today.
Through sermons series, worship services, and a string of webinars, this month has been filled with teaching about God’s green earth and our responsibility here. We have learned about climate change, regenerative agriculture, Sabbath and Jubilee for the land, justice for BIPOC communities and farmers, and much more.
If you missed any of the webinars or the Conference worship service, the videos can be found below.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Season of Creation, 2021. Don’t think that the work is over; it’s only just begun. Look for more opportunities provided by the Conference and the Districts (like this upcoming book discussion). And let us know what you and your church are doing to be better caretakers of God’s creation.
Season of Creation Worship Service
Coal Ash, BIPOC Farming, and Everything In Between: An Environmental Justice Panel
Creation Care, Spirituality, and the Healing of Trauma
ReGenesis 2.15: Tools for Regenerating the Soil and Soul of Your Community