ATLANTA – Global Ministries will commission 67 new EarthKeepers in an online service on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at 8 p.m. EST. This service will affirm the EarthKeepers in their call to the ministry of creation care and bless their work in their communities. The service will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/GlobalMinistries.
Global Ministries EarthKeepers is a training program to equip United Methodists in the United States for environmental stewardship. Participants discuss theology, United Methodist resources, community organizing and antiracism, and then use what they learn to develop an environmental project for their churches and communities. The program supports people looking to turn an idea into action and those who want to deepen an existing ministry. Participants develop plans in conversation with their peers, troubleshooting ideas and sharing strategies.
With 2024 trainings held online and in Baltimore, Md., and St. Paul, Minn., this group of EarthKeepers represents 30 annual conferences and all five jurisdictions. Participants include clergy, laity, annual conference staff and agency staff. Within the Greater Northwest Area, eight new EarthKeepers were trained this year.
Oregon-Idaho – Pattie Sloan
Pacific Northwest – Rev. Laura Baumgartner, Rev. Pat Longstroth, Patrick Scriven, Teri Tobey, Rev. David Valera, Eric Walker, Rev. Richenda Fairhurst
“Large-scale, climate-driven catastrophes around the world are stretching the capacity and resources of United Methodist disaster responders,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary of Global Ministries and General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. “When Global Ministries EarthKeepers lead community-driven environmental projects, they are building a bulwark against future suffering.”
“These EarthKeepers are driven by the urgency of the environmental crisis, a sense of calling to respond, and a deep well of faith to carry them on the journey,” said the Rev. Jenny Phillips, director of Environmental Sustainability. “They have developed ambitious projects which together will create significant positive impact on emissions, sustainable land use, waste management and more.”
This is the eighth year that the EarthKeepers commissioning service has been held online, allowing EarthKeepers to participate along with their family, friends and church community. The service will be led by Bishop Lanette Plambeck, resident bishop for the Dakotas-Minnesota Area.
To read more about EarthKeepers projects and to get updates on 2025 trainings, join the Global Ministries Creation Care Network at http://creationcare.umcmission.org/signup.
About the General Board of Global Ministries of The United Methodist Church
Global Ministries is the worldwide mission and development agency of The United Methodist Church. Founded in 1819, Global Ministries today supports more than 200 missionaries in over 60 countries, including the United States. It has personnel, projects, and partners in 115 countries. Learn more about Global Ministries by visiting www.umcmission.org or by following www.facebook.com/GlobalMinistries and www.twitter.com/UMCmission.
