Christian Creation Advocates Encouraged to Counter ‘Ecofascism’

May 17, 2022

3:13 PM

Stealing the Earth poster

A United Methodist Insight Column

Ever heard of “ecofascism?” Neither had I until I read the May 17 issue of The Washington Post’s “Climate 202” newsletter:

“Before 10 people died in a shooting at a Buffalo supermarket on Saturday (May 14), the alleged gunman wrote a screed citing ‘ecofascism,’ an ideology that blames environmental problems on immigration and overpopulation.”

This dangerous ideology is about as far from the biblical commandment to “welcome the stranger” as one can get. United Methodist creation activists might want to be on alert for other expressions of this demonic ideology and counter it with what Jesus instructed his disciples to do in Matthew 25. To learn more check out the Climate 202 newsletter.

‘Racial Justice Prayer & Action Challenge’ offered

Racial Justice Prayer Challenge

Another way to counteract the pernicious effect of “ecofascism” might be to join in the “Racial Justice Prayer & Action Challenge” being sponsored by the General Commission on Religion and Race. Here’s the word from the GCORR website:

“Beginning on Juneteenth (Sunday, June 19, 2022) we will post daily prayers on social media for six weeks. We’ll also include weekly challenges to help you put your prayers into action.

We challenge you and your church to join us by doing each of the following:

Pray with us each day. Share the prayer on your social media and ask your friends to pray too.
Take action. Each week we will suggest anti-racist actions, pick one and do it.
Incorporate the liturgy in worship. We will offer liturgies for each Sunday during the challenge.
Host a community prayer service for racial justice. Use the litanies, scriptures, and prayers below and invite other faith communities to participate.”

GCORR says the prayers are posted online in a downloadable form for use in worship services or small group settings. They also could be used as a personal prayer book. Topics include lamentation, repentance, healing, reconciliation, hope and liberation. The prayers will also be available in French, Tagalog, Spanish, and Korean.

“While we will be posting about the challenge regularly on social media during this time, we invite you to share your own posts as well and tag us (@gcorrumc) on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and use the hashtag #prayforracialjustice,” the GCORR post says.

This effort sounds like a good restorative for the recent spate of hate crimes around the United States. We can comfort one another and draw strength to work for racial justice at the same time.

‘Stealing the Earth’ session rescheduled

Session 5 of the webinar series “Stealing the Earth” on the Doctrine of Discovery has been rescheduled for 1 pm ET Wednesday, May 25 co-sponsored by Methodist Federation for Social Action, Native American International Caucus and United Methodists for Kairos Response. The fifth session is titled “Undoing the Doctrine: Developing a theology of repentance and repair.” Guest speakers are:

The Rev. Chebon Kernell Jr., an ordained elder in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference, an enrolled member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma of Muscogee Creek heritage, and executive director of the Native American Comprehensive Plan of the United Methodist Church. He often consults with the United Methodist Council of Bishops on indigenous issues.
Great-grandmother Mary Lyons, an Ojibwe Elder, a world-renowned Wisdom Keeper, Knowledge Holder, Humanitarian, an Empowerment Coach, Activist, and Author. She brings a de-colonial and anti-capitalistic framework to the mainstream environmental movement through spiritual wisdom lessons.

Watch the previous webinars in the series here. Register Today!

A faithful response to the war in Ukraine

The Eurasia Committee of the Baltimore Washington Conference will sponsor a discussion on "A Faithful Response to the War in Ukraine: It’s Impact and What Makes What Peace?" 12:00 noon ET, Friday May 27, 2022. Register today

The announcement says:

“As the Russian Invasion of Ukraine enters its third month it has brought calls for prayer and statements of deep concern from United Methodists globally; it has also brought first-hand accounts of the impact of the war and ways United Methodists respond to the trauma of people in harm’s way.”

Guest speakers will be the Revs. Julia and Oleg Starodubets, who serve the United Methodist Church, in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Rev. Bill Lovelace, General Board of Global Ministries missionary with Ministry to Migrants, Norway Conference.

The committee suggests these resources to learn more about Russia’s war in Ukraine: