VAUMC Climate Summit: Hope in Action for Creation Justice
But let justice roll down like waters, & righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Amos 5:24
Goal: Gathering stakeholders in VA Conference UMC, including Conference Boards & related Agencies, Districts & churches, to connect & learn why they are key to the VAUMC response to God’s call for Climate & Racial Justice, Sustainability in Climate Change, & The Net Zero by 2050 Resolution. Youth are encouraged to join (individually or as a youth group) and will have workshop sessions designed specifically for teens on the theme of faith + science and Creation Care.
Theme: Thinking & Action: How we as the Virginia United Methodist Church rethinking our understanding & action around Climate change/justice & its intersection with racial justice.
When? March 8, 9:30-4:00
Where? Randolph-Macon College & Duncan Memorial Church – Ashland, VA
Format: Day-long (9:30-4pm). Includes lunch supplied through RM-C.
Registration: $25 (includes lunch) $5 for students and youth ministers/directors .
Worship: 30 minutes of centering, singing, Scripture & Reflection led by Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson. (9:30-10am)
World Café : 60 minutes (10:15-11:15) An icebreaker/small group discussion format (round table discussion) with specific questions to answer -three different groups & questions. to address:
Why is it important for me to be at this Summit based on my position within VAUMC leadership? How can I connect with others on the Conference level for both information & partnerships?
Keynote speaker: 45 minutes (11:30-12:15) Michele Roberts (Environmental Justic Health Alliance for Chemical Policy Reform and Coming Clean) ) Lunch 12:30-1:15
Workshops/Breakout sessions 50 minutes each choice of 2) (1:30-3:30) Workshops listed below. Topics to be relevant to the “how to’” questions of the participants.
Closing remarks (3:30-4pm)
Tentative workshop list:
- Building a church Green Team , What’s worked and what hasn’t. Jane Wilson, Lay Leader, Burke UMC
- How does my church/district office/camp go Solar? -What we did -churches large and small. Alex Joyner, 1st Church Charlottesville and Brandon Praileau, Wesley Union A.M.E. Zion Church, Norfolk VA
- How can my children and youth be involved?
- How to be a good steward of my church property, and use it sustainably? Kim Richmond Western North Carolina UMC Creation Justice Team.
- How do I do assess my building and land so we can make good use of what we have?
- Mission Work/outreach How can I help plan and engage my church in working for sustainability outside my church?
- Disaster Response-How can my conference/district/church lead in disaster response and rebuilding communities through sustainable practices.
- Accessing VAUMC funding
- How can I secure funding/grants, etc for work toward Net Zero in the church and in the community? (a panel including Brandon Praileau, Solar United Neighbors of Virginia Collective)
- Leading from the Pulpit and Podium Connecting worship and adult Bible/Book Study to the work in sustainability that needs to be done. (Pat Watkins)
Youth Workshop 1: The Convergence of Faith and Science Kendra Grimes et al.
Youth Workshop 2: Faith, Science, and Creation Care – Practical Ways to Make a Difference, Kendra Grimes et al.