By Jessica Griggs for Mennonite Church USA
ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Church USA) — For the months of April and May, Mennonite Church USA will focus on addressing climate justice concerns, through the “Learn, Pray, Join: Climate Justice: Seeking Shalom” initiative. This campaign seeks to bring awareness to intertwining climate and social concerns, such as extreme weather events, agricultural challenges, species extinction and human suffering, while offering hope and ways to join in the efforts to bring about climate justice.
“Our vision, as Mennonite Church USA, is to be vessels of healing and hope for the world. When we join together to learn, pray and act for the well-being of our climate, we join in God’s shalom-making work in the world,” said Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler, MC USA’s climate justice coordinator. “As communities of faith-filled people, churches can be powerful partners in the pursuit of climate justice, as we use our collective power to effect change.”
MC USA will offer blogs, resources and webinars for people to learn more about the causes and effects of climate change, as well as innovations in energy efficiency, alternative energy sources and the reduction of carbon emissions. Four webinars on topics relating to climate justice will be available in April and May:
- “Indigenous Justice and Climate Justice” will be held April 2 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. The webinar will feature Indigenous testimonies and prophetic voices. Panelists include Sarah Augustine, Manuel May Castillo, Mark Charles and Sheri Hostetler. To register and learn more about the panelists, click here.
- “Love God, Love Your Neighbor: Spiritual Practices that Nurture Life” will be held April 15 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Panelists Sarah Werner, Sibonokuhle Ncube and Andrew Hudson will discuss how to resist the cultural practices that harm our earth and create disproportionate suffering for people of color, while nurturing life for all of creation. Register and learn more here.
- “Faith, Food, Soil and Climate” will be held May 13 at 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Panelists Levi Geyer, Elana Gingerich, Yujin Kim, and Heather Wolfe will explore how growing and preparing food can provide nourishment for mind, body and spirit, while building healthy soils, lowering greenhouse gas emissions, and creating more just and resilient communities. Register and learn more here.
- “Energy Efficiency and Faithful Action” will be held May 30 at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT. Panelists Amy Huser, Nelson Kilmer and Eric Sauder will share how they have sought justice and healing for their neighbors and planet by leading their congregations and communities toward energy efficiency. Register and learn more here.
Individuals and congregations are invited to pray for God’s shalom for all people and all of creation, including the climate, and for justice and healing in relationships with God, one another and the earth.
Through action guides, blogs, resources and webinars, individuals will find ideas for ways to join in on the work of climate justice and discover organizations to participate with.
Stoltzfus Detweiler said, “MC USA is full of people who are doing significant climate justice work. I am excited to bring some gifted leaders in climate justice into conversation through our series of webinars and blogs. I pray that these offerings are like yeast in the dough, leading to more conversations, prayers and action for climate justice in churches across our denomination!”
For more information on “Learn, Pray, Join: Climate Justice: Seeking Shalom,” visit the online resource page throughout the campaign.
Subscribe to PeaceMail, MC USA’s weekly email newsletter, and follow MC USA on social media — Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly known as Twitter) and YouTube — to view resources, blogs and more throughout April and May.
MC USA’s “Learn, Pray, Join” initiatives seek to create opportunities across the church to deepen understanding around a common topic and to come together in prayer and support.
MC USA’s climate justice ministry is sponsored by Everence.
Mennonite Church USA is an Anabaptist Christian denomination, founded in 2002 by the merger of the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church. Members of this historic peace church seek to follow Jesus by rejecting violence and resisting injustice. MC USA’s Renewed Commitments state the following shared commitments among its diverse body of believers: to follow Jesus, witness to God’s peace and experience the transformation of the Holy Spirit. Mennoniteusa.org