UMC Creation Shareable
United Methodist Communications offers a series of social media shareable images to promote creation care ministries and projects. (UMCom Graphic)
A United Methodist Insight Column
Maybe it's the extreme weather affecting the Northern Hemisphere with scorching heat waves, but this seems to be the week for creation care news.
This week, according to the United Nation's Faith for Earth newsletter, "the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity is uniting world leaders and civil society at the Open-ended Working Group-4 (OEWG-4) of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework being held from June 21 to 26 2022 in Nairobi, Kenya. Read more about the process.
"The OEWG meetings exhibit a comprehensive and participatory process for the preparation of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework during the second phase of the UN Biodiversity Conference to be held later this year in Kunming, China."
The goal of this process is "to bring about a transformation in society's relationship with biodiversity, ensuring that by 2050 the shared vision of 'living in harmony with nature' is fulfilled. Here are key milestones and targets."
Watch online | Read the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework .
Meanwhile, here's another encouraging release from Faith for Earth:
"After a year and a half of coordinating with faith-based organisations, technical partners, grassroots organizations, indigenous groups and local communities, the Multi-faith Coordination Group has shared these recommendations with the CBD Secretariat, Government representatives and key stakeholders in response to the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Contact the Team .
"From June to August 2020 a diverse group of religious bodies and faith based organizations agreed ahead of the UN Summit on Biodiversity.
"The Call to Action urged [faith-based organizations] and Faith Leaders to commit to:
- Developing and implementing long term, values-based and scientifically-informed plans to regenerate, protect, and nurture the Earth's ecosystems for the next decade and beyond.
- Working cooperatively, and collectively, helping each other along the journey to achieve a carbon neutral, nature-positive future.
- Working with humility, understanding that many solutions are to be found in nature
- Integrating humanity's collective wisdom into our efforts, particularly that of indigenous communities and the perspectives of those most vulnerable to the impacts of environmental degradation.
- Engaging in a process of periodic tracking, re-assessment, and re-alignment in light of changing realities and opportunities.
"See also the Evangelical Call to Action on Biodiversity."
The United Methodist General Board of Church and Society is a signer on the Evangelical Call to Action. Let's say some prayers that these high-level diplomatic meetings influence public policies on biodiversity worldwide and spur the kind of local efforts that will ensure life-sustaining biodiversity in the future.
PS If your church is looking to promote a creation care event, check out the free social media shareables available from United Methodist Communications (see photo at top). Many also are available in Spanish.
Media Mentions as of June 23, 2020
Race eyed as factor in United Methodist pastors' salaries in two states - Washington Times
Cortland United Methodist Church, the town's last remaining church, is closing after 160 years – Shaw Local
Methodist leaders to meet with Durham neighbors after opposition to new church - WRAL
North Metro United Methodist congregations navigate LGBTQ+ debates - Appen Media
Downtown church withdraws permit application for tent encampment - The Electric
Youth come to the aid of local residents through mission projects – Siloam Springs Herald-Leader
Cynthia B. Astle serves as Editor of United Methodist Insight, which she founded in 2011. To reproduce this content elsewhere, please email the Editor for permission.