Recommended Reading: Tembe Nkomozepi on Earth Day and the Prodigal Son

Temba Nkomozepi, a Global Ministries missionary from Zimbabwe serving at Mujila Falls in Zambia, recently wrote a reflection on Earth Day for the Michigan Annual Conference. The reflection, titled "Leave it for our offspring," shares some of Nkomozepi's family associations with Earth Day. It also includes an environmental interpretation of the parable of the "Prodigal Son." Nkomozepi opens up the parable in new and insightful ways, and his reflection is well worth reading.

News Roundup – Earth Day edition

In honor of the upcoming Earth Day celebration, here are some recent creation care related United Methodist stories from the past couple months. Note the significant amount of creation care work happening outside of the United States and that most of the work is not geared toward Earth Day celebrations but rather a regular part of the church’s activities.

Biogas stoves in mission school in Zimbabwe: The Nyadire Connection, Carnegie Mellon Engineers Without Borders, and United Methodist-affiliated Nyadire Central Primary School partnered to install an environmentally friendly biogas digester to make cooking fuel for the Nyadire Central Primary School. https://www.umnews.org/en/news/engineers-cook-up-eco-friendly-solution-at-church-school

Solar energy installed at hospital in Zimbabwe: Global Ministries and Old Mutare Hospital partnered to install a 120-panel solar system at the hospital as part of renovations there. https://umcmission.org/cover/new-facilities-with-enhanced-care-at-old-mutare-hospital-in-zimbabwe/

Solar energy installed at church school in Sierra Leone: U.S.-based Operation Classroom and the Sierra Leone Annual Conference have partnered to install solar power at the Taiama Enterprise Academy in Sierra Leone. https://www.umnews.org/en/news/solar-electricity-enhances-growth-at-church-academy

Solar ovens distributed in Sierra Leone: Solar Ovens Partners, a UMC-related, U.S. based nonprofit distributed solar ovens in Sierra Leone in March in collaboration with partners there. https://www.dakotasumc.org/news/solar-oven-partners-heads-to-sierra-leone

Sarah Bach on ecospirituality: Swiss United Methodist pastor and ecotheologian Rev. Sarah Bach conducted an interview on how ecospirituality can guide Christians in the face of climate change. https://emk-schweiz.ch/2023/03/28/ruhig-ist-unser-herz-bis-es-unruhe-findet-in-dir/

Swiss United Methodist helped develop hotel eco-label: The Swiss United Methodist Church profiled Urs Bangerter, a United Methodistand retired hotel manager who helped pioneer sustainable hotel practices and an eco-label for hotels. https://emk-schweiz.ch/2023/03/21/wir-hatten-nicht-die-idee-ein-oeko-hotel-fuehren-zu-wollen/

Faith-based resources for Earth Day Sunday: The ecumenical Creation Justice Ministries is offering a special Earth Day resource. https://um-insight.net/in-the-world/disasters-and-climate-change/faith-based-resources-focus-on-earth-day-sunday-conference-r/

UMC Creation Justice offers model resolutions: UMC Creation Justice has published eight model resolutions on topics related to creation justice that can be introduced at annual conferences. https://umcreationjustice.org/model-resolutions/

East Ohio Annual Conference offers creation care seminar: The East Ohio Annual Conference is holding a day-long seminar on creation care on April 22^nd. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/perspectives-caring-for-gods-creation-tickets-546388983157

Climate justice update from Cal-Nevada Annual Conference: The California-Nevada Annual Conference highlighted educational opportunities, advocacy steps, and resources related to climate justice efforts in that annual conference. https://www.cnumc.org/newsdetails/climate-17369342

Recommended Reading: Earth Day and Methodists around the world

Earth Day is tomorrow, April 22nd.  UMC.org just published this great piece about United Methodists and Earth Day.  While the body of the article focuses in particular on Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter, an ordained elder in Wyoming.  What I appreciate most about the article, though, are the sidebar inserts with United Methodists from around the world relating why they see care for creation as an important part of their faith.