I got good news a few days ago!  It seems the United Methodist Council of Bishops are ready to kick it into high gear when it comes to caring for creation. 

"In Defense of Creation," a pastoral letter crafted by the United Methodist Council of Bishops in 1986, was first written to address nuclear proliferation and the possibility of extinction of all life.  But it needed revision to include environmental degradation, global warming, endemic poverty, disease, and a world awash in weapons. 

A year and a half ago, BridgeWorks, in partnership with the Rocky Mountain Church and Society Network Advocating for Peace with Justice, helped kick off a series of three public hearings about it in the Rocky Mountain Conference.  Two others took place at Iliff School of Theology.  Hearings like ours took place all over the nation, gathering input from persons of faith, scientists, theologians, public policy experts, and others. 

On November 3, the Council of Bishops unanimously passed a new pastoral letter to be released to the Church this Advent.  It's called "God's Renewed Creation:  Call to Hope and Action."   Read more here.

GREEN CHURCH

Here at BridgeWorks, we believe in hope and action.  This summer, with the blessing of Abingdon Press, I wrote two books on the connection between faith and the environment. 

Green Church:  Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice!  lays out the biblical foundations and ecological necessity for creation care.  Woven throughout the scriptural witness and scientific evidence are engaging personal stories of Sabbath, gardening, recycling, camping, and the power of preaching.  Green Facts, Spotlight on Science, online options and more are included.  An accompanying Leader's Guide makes this a great small group study.  Youth and children's studies will also be available. 

Seven Simple Steps to Green Your Church leads you on a 12 month journey to green your church from the heart of worship to the church grounds.  You can choose a light green, medium green or deep green approach.  Success stories from a wide variety of churches demonstrate what's possible. 

They'll be out in time for Earth Day, 2010.  Stay tuned for more details.

Like to have a Green Church workshop in your community?  Contact us for more information.

CLIMATE CHANGE ACTION ALERT

If you're ready to take action on climate change, please check out this alert from our partners, the Rocky Mountain Church and Society Network Advocating for Peace with Justice.  

The US House of Representatives narrowly passed H.R. 2454, The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 in June.  While this achievement is an important step forward, the final bill was filled with shortcomings.  Now the Senate is considering climate change legislation and it will be critical for the Senate to draft a stronger, much improved version.  Recently, Senators John Kerry and Barbara Boxer took a bold step toward Creation care and climate protection with the introduction of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act.  In several ways, this bill is stronger than the climate bill the House passed in June and is a big victory for everyone who sent messages to their senators over the past few months urging them to do the right thing on climate change.

Three major improvements in the bill are:  a higher target of 20% greenhouse gas emissions reduction from 2005 levels by 2020 (up from 17% in the House bill), more funding for green jobs training here in the US, and restored authority for the EPA to regulate emissions from coal-fired power plants.

The bill is headed for no less than six different Senate committees, which whill address other important issues such as energy efficiency and the cap and trade system.

KEEP UP THE MOMENTUM!

Please contact your senators today and urge them to support action on climate this year.  Click here for a ready made message from Interfaith Power and Light. 

HOLY LAND UPDATE

Thanks to all who signed up to travel with Jerry and I in February!  Thirty-one of us will be traveling together to learn about the Jewish roots of Christian faith, and to meet with Abrahamic peacemakers.  Many of you let us know that you'd like to travel in the future.  We'll keep you posted.  Especially about green travel options.

LEADERSHIP

Our ministry of team-building, coaching, and creating community out of diversity is growing. 

If you would like to sample the power of this material, register for the upcoming seminar for clergy and church leaders in Longmont CO on January 26, 2010.  "Improving Communication" will introduce you to the basics of DiSC--an insightful look into four styles of behavior:  Dominance, Influence, Steadiness, and Conscientiousness.  You'll leave with information you can put to immediate use.  Click here to get more details.  Pre-registration is required.

Ask about our special youth group events!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Christmas through Jewish Eyes

Longmont CO, November 13-14

Casper WY, November 29-December 1

Canon City CO, December 11-13

See more events here.  Or contact us to schedule your own!

Blessings for a healthy and happy holiday,

Rebekah