A Call to Join Third Act’s 3.21.23 Day of Action

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“Grounded in a commitment to justice and sustainability, United Methodists the world over are called to pursue lifestyles that reflect our concern for God’s people and planet. Historically the world’s largest user of energy resources, the United States and its residents have a unique responsibility to take actions based on sound scientific and ethical principles of respect for and justice within the World Community.” (Resolution on “US Energy Policy and United Methodist Responsibility,” Book of Resolutions, 2016)

The United Methodist Church in its 1980 General Conference Resolution on energy policy was the first denomination to link the burning of fossil fuels to what was then called “global warming.” It urged nations and the church to make renewable energy and conservation the main energy priorities. For more than four decades, the United Methodist Church has been calling for the nations of the world and the church to quit relying on polluting fossil fuels for energy and instead to rely on renewable energy and serious conservation efforts. It is time for church members, local churches, and the denomination to abide by this call to stop investing money in fossil fuels and instead to invest in clean energy and other worthwhile investments.  

Third Act’s Banking on Our Future Campaign addresses the moral dilemma of investing in fossil fuels and points us in the direction of financial faithfulness through our banking choices. Third Act, whose members are age 60+, is organizing a “Day of Action” that will give all of us, regardless of age, an opportunity on March 21 to assert that moral claim and pressure the “Big Four” banks (Bank of America, Chase, Citibank, and Wells Fargo) to stop bankrolling the expansion of the fossil fuel industry.  Third Act is not doing this alone. To date, 29 other organizations have signed on as partners, including GreenFaith, the Sierra Club and the Hip Hop Caucus.

Among those working on behalf of the 3.21.23 campaign are the members of Third Act Faith, an interfaith “working group” of lay persons and clergy from across the nation and denominations who bring a faith-based perspective and presence to Third Act’s work.  To that end, they are at work on creating a liturgy specifically for the Day of Action, under the leadership of the Rev. Jerry Cappel, an Episcopal priest and director of The Center for Deep Green Faith, and they also are encouraging its members and their faith communities to be involved, where possible, in local 3.21.23 actions. [The bulk of Third Act’s volunteer-based work is done in “working groups,” such as Third Act Faith, one of its affinity- or profession-based groups, and its location-based groups.]

Third Act was founded a little over a year ago by longtime climate activist Bill McKibben to encourage the nation’s elders to join with others to address the two major threats to our way of life: the assaults on democracy and the planet. Who is better suited to work on this? As McKibben has pointed out, elders hold 70 percent of the nation’s private wealth; they bring skills and abilities gained through a lifetime of experience; they vote in large numbers; and they are more likely to have time to volunteer.  But more importantly: they are motivated by love of our children, grandchildren, and the generations beyond to leave a hopeful legacy. ( “Call It Codger Power." NYT, Feb. 7 2022)

What is the “3.21.23 Day of Action”?

Quite simply, it will be a constellation of local, nonviolent activities held in communities across the country to bring attention to the looming climate crisis. According to a UN report, by 2030, we must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 45% just to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, including more frequent and severe droughts, heat waves and rainfall. One way to help accomplish that goal is to stop the expansion of fossil fuel extraction and sharply decrease fossil fuel use worldwide. (Check out Bill McKibben’s blog to learn more.)

A local action may be something as simple as writing letters to the editor. It could involve signing and recruiting others to sign Third Act’s Banking on Our Future pledge, informing the banks of the signers’ intentions to stop (or never begin) doing business with them. A local action may also involve taking direct action. Some groups, for example, plan to meet with branch bank managers to talk about the issue. Some are organizing gatherings to cut up credit cards literally or symbolically outside these banks or some “iconic” place impacted by climate change. (One group reportedly is planning an underwater protest at a coral reef.)

Most but not all local actions are being hosted by Third Act’s network of working groups in states and communities from Maine to San Francisco and many places between. But membership in Third Act is not required. The organization is making it easy for people to connect with a local action as well as to organize one. An online interactive map has been published on Third Act’s website. And to help organize an action, Third Act has prepared a comprehensive Event Guide that offers an abundance of ideas, information, music and art to make this a fun, educational and joyous event.

For climate-concerned United Methodists, this means that you, your local church, and your annual conference have an opportunity to publicly acknowledge – on March 21 – that faith communities have a moral responsibility to serve their neighbors, who include not only the people who live nearby but also all humanity (“the world is our parish”) and all of creation for generations to come. Before—or after—you sign up, however,  you may also want to connect with Third Act Faith. To learn more about the Faith group, visit its Facebook page, and check out its newsletters, Third Acts of Faith and Third Act Faith Going Deep. Or contact thirdactfaith@gmail.com

Additional Resources:

United Methodist Creation Justice Ministries Model Resolutions

  • Annual Conference to Divest From Fossil Fuels
  • Call for General Conference to Add Fossil Fuels to UMC Investment Screens

The Rev. Sharon Delgado, United Methodist clergy, author, and activist.  She serves as Climate Justice Ministries Coordinator of the California-Nevada Annual Conference, member of Third Act Faith’s Coordinating Committee, and United Methodist liaison to the Faithful Banking Subcommittee of Third Act Faith for the Banking on Our Future Campaign. Contact her at climatejustice@cnumc.org)