About BridgeWorks
BridgeWorks is a carbon-neutral Extension Ministry of the Rocky Mountain Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Our programs aim to turn barriers into bridges of understanding.
Biblically-based and theologically sound, our workshops and retreats deal with the spiritual and social justice issues of our day, connecting churches to their communities and the world. Think of it as a revivla for the mind and spirit. One that builds momentum and energy without draining you.
See what BridgeWorks can do for you. Check out our updated website. Get answers to FAQs about offering a BridgeWorks presentation in your setting. Or just pick up the phone and call. We'll be happy to hear from you.
Here's our contact info:
Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter
115 E. Miller St.
Rawlins WY 82301 307 324-5431 phone
307 320-6779 cell rspeter1@msn.com
www.bridgeworkspresents.net
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Networking Grants Available
Want to host a BridgeWorks event, but need some financial assistance? Networking grants are available for United Methodist Churches! Individual churches may qualify for $500; two or more churches may qualify for $1000. Check it out! Contact Herb Bowman at skinnyherb@juno.com
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Readers Theater:
A Confession for Four Voices
Check out this Readers Theater for 4 voices. It can be used as before or after the sermon. Follow it up with the New Social Creed. Or "I am Your Mother" from The Faith We Sing. Or both.
Never done a Readers Theater before? It's easy. Just follow these tips:
1. Highlight your lines.
2. Practice together several times before you perform.
3. Keep the pace moving.
4. Project your voices or use microphones.
5. Relax and enjoy!
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Green Team Coaching Calls
Is your church forming a Green Team? Want to try? This free resource makes it easier!
Through monthly coaching calls you can hook into a community of support, offer ideas, learn from others, and receive encouragement.
Sign up or get more information by replying to this email and you will be notified of future teleconferences. Welcome aboard!
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Copyright Info
Like
to use some of the material found in this newsletter? We'd be happy for you to do so. Please note, however, that all articles are copyrighted
and may not be reprinted, reproduced or preached in whole without permission. For
that permission just send an email request. Otherwise, feel
free to quote a paragraph or two with proper citation. Thanks!
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Greetings!,
Loving our neighbor as ourselves is taking on a new meaning in a world where food, biofuel, gasoline, energy, and climate change are all intertwined. This is a good time to help your congregation see
the big picture. And take action based on it.
After all, the call to environmental stewardship is in the book. (See Genesis 1-2, 6-9; Leviticus 25; Psalms 24, 104, 148, and 150; and Colossians 1.) Environmental stewardship is also in the other book--The Book of Discipline. (See Paragraph 160 of the 2004 Book of Discipline.)
With extreme weather events becoming
increasingly common, this is an appropriate time to move beyond only praying for victims to also addressing causes and conditions. Make the connection between
the earth's cry to us and our responsibility to exercise environmental
stewardship. The resources in this newsletter will help you do so.
Now more than ever, environmental stewardship is being reclaimed by
religious communities. That's good because we can play a pivotal
role in ministering to God's creation. Just by making simple changes
in our every day lives and by gaining more awareness. But even more than that, by reclaiming the texts that instruct us in the care of creation.
In this issue, check out the resources that help you bring the message home. Try out the Readers Theater. Join the Green Team coaching calls. Go on the Low Carbon Diet. Incorporate the fall liturgical Season of Creation. Host a BridgeWorks workshop to educate, inspire and motivate your congregation. Be sure to attend the pre-Conference public hearing for the Bishops' revising of "In Defense of Creation." Click on the links that will tell you more about faith and the environment.
And don't forget to spend some time in Nature this summer!
Blessings and courage on the journey!
Rebekah Simon-Peter,
Director of BridgeWorks
PS. Know someone else that would like to see this? 
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 "In Defense of Creation"
Pre-Conference Hearing
Denver Marriott Tech Center
Wednesday, June 18
2-3:30 pm
"In Defense of Creation," a pastoral letter crafted by the United Methodist
Council of Bishops in 1986, is receiving a timely update. First written
to address nuclear proliferation and the possibility of extinction of all life,
it is now being revised to include new threats to God's creation including
environmental degradation, global warming, endemic poverty, disease, and a
world awash in weapons-nuclear and non-nuclear alike.
But in order to re-write it, your voice needs to be heard. That's why there will be a Denver
hearing, Wednesday, June 18, 2-3:30 at the Marriott Denver
Tech Center
before Annual Conference begins. This
hearing, the first of three, will focus on climate change and environmental
degradation. It will be convened by Bishop Warner Brown, Jr., and moderated by Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter with support from Rev. Linda Gertenbach.
We'll hear from panelists
Rev. Peter Sawtell, Director of Eco-Justice Ministries, Diane Dandeneau, Director of Colorado Interfaith Power and LIght and Executive
Director of the Green Heart Institute; and Dr. Jim White, CU Professsor of Geological Sciences and Environmental Studies, Director of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research and Chair of the Advisory Committee of CU's Lutheran Campus
Ministry. After the panelists speak, small group discussions will follow. Finally, we'll ask attendees to share their
input and concerns for the record.
The results of this hearing, and others like it around the world, will be
reflected in the final document to be approved by the Council of Bishops in May
2009 and released to the United
Methodist Church
for study and action.
It's important to have as many people as possible in attendance. Pastors, lay delegates and other interested parties are welcome and
invited. Please pass the word and plan to be at this important
event! Sponsored by The Bishop's Office, BridgeWorks and the Church and Society
Network.
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 Going Green at Church
Going green is all the rage. But
what does it really mean? For persons
and communities of faith, it's more than just changing light bulbs, although
that's important. It's also more than
using paper cups or ceramic mugs instead of Styrofoam. Although that's important, too. It's more than driving a fuel efficient
vehicle, although that's really important.
Going green at its core is about recognizing our right relationship with
both our Creator and the creation.
It revolves around the question:
What's the purpose of creation?
Or even more importantly: Who or
what is at the center of creation?
Well? If
you answered "me" you're not alone. We
tend to have a pretty ego-centric or anthropocentric view of things. Even in the church. (Jesus died for "me.") As if we humans are at the center of the
universe. And the rest of the creation exists simply for our sake.
Interestingly enough, though, the Bible doesn't hold that same view.
Read on...
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| a Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repent!
A Workshop for Churches
This dynamic, interactive weekend workshop helps churches develop biblical,
theological, practical, and worshipful foundations for the care of creation,
and environmental stewardship. Host one at your church.
Here's what people are saying:
"I want to say after your wonderful workshop with all your very good information
there is not a day goes by that I don't think about it and I do some things
different." Patsy Phillips, North Park Community Church, Walden CO. "Thank you for the eye opening experience of attending your seminar. I have
definitely become more aware of what I throw away and how I use my energy. My
daughter is 26 and has been aware of her 'footprint' for some time, I guess it's
time Mom catches up." Ann Keetch, Pikes Peak UMC, Colorado Springs CO
"Your workshop in Casper helped me to realize how easy it is to get started
doing something to help save energy both at home and in our church. It amazed me
that the little things we can do, can make a big difference. Like unplugging
things we are not using and changing our lightbulbs to energy efficient ones. We
can all do the little things and then work together on the big things. Thank
you." Alan Case
"I've always been concerned about our Earth.
You gave validation to so many of my thoughts." Ann Allen, Colorado Springs CO
Read on for more information on the sessions:
Reply now to this email to request a brochure, or to sign up to bring this workshop to your community.
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Faith Friendly Eco-Links
Season of Creation
http://www.seasonofcreation.com/
Lutheran School of Theology, Chicago
http://www.webofcreation.org
National Council of
Churches
http://www.nccecojustice.org/
Eco-Justice Ministries
www.eco-justice.org
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Season of Creation:
A New Liturgical Season
 Developed by churches in Australia, and
approved by a number of denominational bodies throughout the world, including the National Council of Churches, the introduction of this liturgical season is timely and rich in meaning and scope. Although I don't think the UMC has officially adopted it, there's
a link to it on the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship
website.
Why institute a Season of Creation? From the SOC website: "In the seasons of Advent, Epiphany, Lent and
Easter we celebrate the life of Christ. In the season of Pentecost we celebrate
the Holy Spirit. Now, in the season of Creation, we have an opportunity to
celebrate God, the Creator."
Ecumenical in
scope and and international in nature, the Season of Creation can be modified
to fit local times and needs.
THE SEASON OF CREATION - 2008 Possible USA
Version
September 1 Creation Day (Orthodox celebration)
September 7 1st Sunday in Creation - Forest
Sunday
September 14 2nd Sunday in Creation - Land Sunday
September 21 3rd Sunday in Creation - Outback Sunday
September 28 4th Sunday in Creation - River Sunday
October 4 St Francis of Assisi Day
October 5 5th Sunday in
Creation - World Communion Day
October 12 Final Sunday in Creation -
Blessing of the Animals
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May We Recommend...
 "Low Carbon Diet: A 30 Day
Program to Lose 5000 Pounds," by David Gerson, Empowerment Institute, 2006.
Do you know what your carbon footprint is?
This practical, engaging, easy-to-use guide explains and shows you how to calculate and reduce
your carbon footprint. Choose from a
menu of 24 actions to reduce your personal or household carbon footprint. Actions include: Meet Your Water Heater, Dumping on Garbage, Light
of Your Life, Furnace Fling, and A Cool Citizen. Ideal for Sunday School classes, adult ed,
community groups, or families, this book shows you how every
little bit of conservation adds up.
In a class I taught using this book, 8 of us reduced our carbon
footprints by a total of 97,155 pounds! Consider
that the average American household generates 54,600 pounds of carbon dioxide
per year. People enjoyed taking global warming into their own hands. And becoming part of the solution.
Click here to order your copy and support BridgeWorks. $3 from every purchase goes to support this ministry. Thanks. We really appreciate your support.
Have a book, website, or DVD to recommend? Email your suggestion to: rspeter1@msn.com
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