May Creation Care Tips
An effective way to change a habit is to anchor it with another action you are committed to and do regularly. Try these prompts for a better, cleaner spring:
When you are spring cleaning and realize you no longer need something, resist the temptation just to toss! Instead, take the time to find a place to donate. Your efforts avoid adding to landfills and to air and land pollution and to the injustice suffered by people close to the landfill.
When you eat food on Mondays, make your meals meatless. Actually, any day of the week will work to forego the expense to you and the planet that meat creates.
Creation Justice ident
When you care for your house plants, reenergize them with any of these: cooled cooking water from preparing vegetables, potatoes, pasta, or green tea (leaves or brewed). No wasted water and happy plants—a good combination.
When you shampoo your hair, kick the plastic habit. Choose a shampoo bar instead. Try various options for no plastic-use for multiple personal and home care products.
When you love butterflies, give those pollinators (and others) a reason to stop at your place—plants, especially ones that are native to your area, that feed caterpillars and the beautiful, winged creatures that give us great delight. Nix the pesticides for their sake too.
When you shop online for anything, check the “About” portion of the website before you buy. Find out what the company is or is not doing to care for creation and justice. Support those sources that help not harm. Look for B Corp and other companies that give back 1% for the planet.
When you pray or plan or lead worship, include creation justice in the prayers, hymn choices, and other liturgy. In your personal prayers, pray for God’s creation and for justice.
When you talk to friends or family about climate-related issues, focus on solutions more than problems. Share what you are already doing and encourage your family and friends to do at least one more thing themselves for the planet and for justice.
When you are choosing products and you wonder which ones are truly good for the earth, you don’t need to be confused or worried about “greenwashing.” Here’s a quick read that can help clarify the labels “green,” “non-toxic,” “cruelty-free,” “organic,” “natural,” “Green Seal Certified,” and “Ecologo.”
When you head to the beach, lake, or river for recreation, note that the word is also “re: creation.” Look at the beauty God has provided and offer a prayer of gratitude. Look also for signs of humanity being care-less with nature. Take gloves and trash bags (preferably reusable) along with your supplies and stash the trash. Try quantifying your haul by weight or number of bags for example). Tell others what you have done and discovered.
If you want help in creating new and better habits, read this article.
The United Methodist Creation Justice Movement is providing these Tips
as a tool to equip church members, families, and individuals to respond to God's call to care for creation and do justice with our neighbors.
For more about the UM Creation Justice Movement, go to umcreationjustice.org.