Eastertide is a season to continue celebrating the newness of life we experience through the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here in the northern hemisphere, the season coincides with springtime, and we can see the embodiment of resurrection all around us as new life bursts forth after the cold and dark of winter. The warmth and light and growth bring hope and joy. They compel us to contemplate the intertwining mysteries of creation, incarnation, and resurrection and to respond with gratitude for the way we are brought into loving relationship with God and all of creation through these mysteries.
The NC Conference Creation Care Committee encourages you during the Eastertide season to continue your celebration in worship and study with some resources that help integrate our beliefs about these mysteries with faithful response.
Believing into Christ Worship Series
UMC Discipleship Ministries, in collaboration with the UM Creation Justice Movement (UMCJM), has produced a worship series for Eastertide titled “Believing into Christ.” The six-week series explores themes in the Gospel of John and the Book of Revelation about the power of our belief in Christ, and how our belief empowers us to act on behalf of our neighbor and all of creation.
GC 2024 Creation Care and Net-Zero Study Guides
UMCJM offers a study guide to six pieces of legislation passed at General Conference 2020/2024 that are related to creation care and environmental justice. This legislation has become part of the governing documents of The UMC, and touches all aspects of the life of the local church. Designed as a six-week study, each chapter includes a summary and goal of the legislative item, related scripture reflection, prayer, and questions, and suggestions for next steps to take in response to the legislation.
An additional study guide by UMCJM focuses on the GC 2024 Net-Zero legislation that describes The UMC’s commitment to joining worldwide efforts to reduce carbon pollution. The study can be done in 5 or 6 sessions. It is structured the same as the above study, and includes some great articles about actual projects that UM churches have undertaken to draw down their carbon footprint.
For questions about these studies, or for more information about Creation Care ministries in the North Carolina Conference, contact Rev. Jacob Dye or Rev. Jane Almon, Co-Chairs of the NC Conference Creation Care Committee.