Creation Care Resources

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1 Last Updated: November 15, 2012 Creation Care Resources from the NCCUMC Media Center Purpose: This subject guide was created for Earth Day but could be useful any time your group would like to study what the Bible says about caring for the environment. The United Methodist Church celebrates the Festival of God's Creation on the Sunday closest to Earth Day according to The Book of Resolutions Table of Contents Subjects and Keywords... 1 Video Resources... 2 Books... 3 Youth Video Resources... 5 Youth Books... 5 Children's Video Resources... 6 Children's Books... 6 Websites related to The United Methodist Church... 6 Subjects and Keywords Search for these subjects or keywords in the Media Center catalog: Subjects Ecology Keywords Creation Earth Environment Electronic Resource Keywords Click on these words at resources to find electronic resources related to this subject. Environment ~ 1 ~

2 Video Resources DVD30 Faithful and Wise: Being a Good Steward All the gifts that God has given us are part of our stewardship responsibilities. The six, eight minute segments of this study with discussion guide cover how we can expand our giving to every facet of our lives, "including our time, our skills and talents, our physical and spiritual environments, and our money and possessions." DVD237 The Man Who Planted Trees A shepherd patiently plants and nurtures a forest of thousands of trees, staying on task and not being distracted by wars, rebukes or the size of the job. DVD417 The Story of Stuff Annie Leonard has traveled all over the world to understand how we get our stuff and what happens to it when we are finished with it. She explains the materials economy and how it leaves out the interactions with the world creating dangerous space for destructive practices. The teen study guide focuses on creation care using scripture. The adult study guide offers more general discussion questions and activities. Leader's guides are available for adults and teens. The teen study has seven sessions including the introduction. Resources for hosting a screening (invitations, flyers, etc.) are available upon request. The study guides and other resources, including the entire film with subtitles in Spanish and other languages, can be downloaded for free at Films on the stories of cosmetics, bottled water, and cap & trade are also available for free on the website. DVD449 Start> Becoming a Good Samaritan Start Becoming a Good Samaritan is the first widely distributed Christian curriculum explaining Christian social responsibility and justice, a topic that has been building a great deal of buzz within the ranks of Church leadership, but has not yet ignited as an action based movement the people who matter the most... the millions of potential Good Samaritans sitting in the pews. These six dynamic sessions cover issues like poverty, AIDS, racism, genocide, child slavery, the disenfranchised (widow, orphans, the disabled), caring for the environment, and the dynamic impact a single Samaritan can make. Hosting each of the six sessions will be John Ortberg. This curriculum will also feature global leaders like Gary Haugen, Shane Claiborne, Brenda Salter McNeil, Bishop John Rucyahana (Rwanda), Bishop Desmond Tutu, Chuck Colson, Zach Hunter, and many others. Resources that begin with VC are on VHS tape and require a VCR. VC201 James Miller: Common Bushes Afire From the words in Exodus 3 to Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Every common bush is afire with God," this ~ 2 ~

3 short video takes viewers on a journey of wonder. Beautiful photography of stained glass cathedral windows and God's creations of nature are included. VC711 Genesis: Media Bible Series: Creation, Adam and Eve Tape 1 of the series. Part I: Creation, the seven days of creation are depicted with beautiful wildlife photography. Part II: Adam and Eve, from their creation in the garden to their fall and expulsion. VC1342 Questions of Faith IV: 3 Whose World Is It? The panel discusses the following questions: What can churches do about the threat to the environment? What does your faith suggest our attitude should be toward all of nature? VC1616 Hashing It Out 1: Hunting, Jesus as Environmentalist? The topics for debate for Tony Campolo and Steve Brown in this program are: Should a Christian hunt? And would Jesus join the environmental movement? VC1772 Love the Earth and Be Healed This six session video series examines a real life case study and includes reflections from some of the most articulate within the wider church community: Sallie McFague, John Cobb, Cal DeWitt, and Jay McDaniel. Each video lasts 25 minutes. Produced by The United Methodist Church. Sessions are: Facing Our Dilemmas, In the Web Together, How Much is Enough?, Loving Nature, Not in Anybody's Backyard!, Celebrating the Earth. Books BK243 Growing Together: Six Intergenerational Celebrations: Spring and Summer Experiential learning sessions for all ages to participate in at the same time! Sessions include: Mardi Gras Carnival, Lent, Easter, Pentecost, Summer Celebration of God's Creation. Some adaption will be necessary as this material was created for use by another denomination. BK678 Stewardship Development in the Local Church: A Guide A stewardship program designed by the New Bern District including contributions from across the NC Conference and the General Board of Discipleship's Commission on Stewardship. Contents: Defining Stewards and Stewardship; Biblical and Theological Dimensions of Stewardship; Stewardship of Creation; Understanding Different Motivational Influences; Gifts, Graces, and Talents; Role of Pastor as Leader in Stewardship; Funding the Ministry of the Church; Planned Giving; Appendix of Resources. BK725 The Gospel According to the Simpsons: Bigger and Possibly Even Better! Introducing a complete revision of the study guide that accompanies the best selling book, The Gospel According to The Simpsons, complete with new studies on episodes of The Simpsons as well as studies ~ 3 ~

4 for discussing other popular animated comedies such as Family Guy, King of the Hill, and Futurama. This new edition features a session plan for a "green retreat" based on "The Simpsons" feature film and the environmental film "An Inconvenient Truth," as well as a listing of DVD availability for each episode with cross references to the relevant chapters in the book. BK922 Becoming the People of God: Caring for God's Earth Caring for God's Earth is part of the six volume Becoming the People of God series. Each study in the series examines an individual chapter of the Social Principles in the Book of Discipline and relevant material in the Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church. This volume reflects on the Natural World chapter of the Social Principles. Caring for God's Earth engages participants in a lively application of United Methodist teaching related to: corporate and family farms, environmental hazards, stewardship of non renewable resources, human impact on animal life, exploration in space, understanding the parameters of faith and science, and safety and nutrition in our food supply. These self contained, short term studies are complete with session plans, activities, discussion questions, and after session strategies for living out Christian faith. BK938 A Hopeful Earth: Faith, Science, and the Message of Jesus The environment is God's creation and Christians should be at the front of the crowd when it comes to taking care of it. Yet we find ourselves in a creation crisis. A Hopeful Earth, a unique study, draws together the Christian faith of Bishop Sally Dyck and the scientific world of her niece, Sarah Ehrman, to address this crisis. As these two dialogue, readers will find that these sometimes differing worldviews are both crucial to making lasting changes. They'll also discover how the church can reach out to the younger generation by joining them in the race to save the planet. A Hopeful Earth will bridge the gap between Jesus and the environment and guide readers in understanding that living as good stewards of God's creation is a significant component of what it means to follow Jesus. Contents: Our three temptations Consider the earth The love of stuff Creating hell all around us Take it to the water Bless this food! PM23 Christian Reflection Vol. 44: Caring for Creation Christian Reflection is an ideal resource for discipleship training in the church. Multiple copies are available for group study at $3.00 per copy. The study guides and lesson plans integrate Bible study, prayer, and worship to address the troubling moral questions raised by the current penal system. The guides can be used in a series or individually. You may download and reproduce them for personal or group use. Christian Reflection is published quarterly by The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University. Contributors express their considered opinions in a responsible manner. The views expressed are not official views of The Center for Christian Ethics or Baylor University. Worship aids and lesson materials that enrich personal or group study are available free at ~ 4 ~

5 Youth Video Resources DVD184 Peace DVD: Especially for Youth A 6 session series: Peace with God, Peace and Community, Peace and the Earth, Peace and Service, Peace and Nation, and Bits and Peaces. DVD provides material for each of the sessions ranging from 5 to 25 minutes of the session's time. Leader's guide provides plan including scripture and discussion. Video clips, study guide, and assignments available at DVD417 The Story of Stuff Annie Leonard has traveled all over the world to understand how we get our stuff and what happens to it when we are finished with it. She explains the materials economy and how it leaves out the interactions with the world creating dangerous space for destructive practices. The teen study guide focuses on creation care using scripture. The adult study guide offers more general discussion questions and activities. Leader's guides are available for adults and teens. The teen study has seven sessions including the introduction. Resources for hosting a screening (invitations, flyers, etc.) are available upon request. The study guides and other resources, including the entire film with subtitles in Spanish and other languages, can be downloaded for free at Films on the stories of cosmetics, bottled water, and cap & trade are also available for free on the website. Resources that begin with VC are on VHS tape and require a VCR. VC869 Questions of Faith for Youth 1: 6 What Can the Church Do About the Future? The panel of youth discusses: What can the church do about the future?, What will the world be like in 100 years?, What can the church do about the Earth's future?, If you ran the church, how would you change it? Youth Books BK152 Connect: Volume 3 Themes in this volume of Connect: Talkin' the Walk, Being A Christian Even at School, Caring for Creation, Biblical Images: Bread, A New Look at Old Friends. BK452 Generation Fix: Young Ideas for a Better World Real life stories of children who have made a real difference in their communities, in many cases showing the adults that an effort really could be successful. Includes a resource chapter. ~ 5 ~

6 Children's Video Resources DVD230 God's Trombones: A Trilogy of African American Poems A collection of 3 poems from James Weldon Johnson's book. The Creation, narrated by James Earl Jones, and The Prodigal Son and Go Down Death narrated by Dorian Harewood. Claymation type animation. Resources that begin with VC are on VHS tape and require a VCR. VC486 Greatest Stories Ever Told: Creation "Amy Grant recounts the wondrous story of how God created the universe in seven days and gave life to Adam and Eve." Original Music by Bela Fleck, illustrations by Stefano Vitale. Children's Books BK357 In the Beginning There Was No Sky A retelling of the biblical creation story that speaks to the great love of God for all of creation and, especially, every child, told by storyteller, Wangerin, with beautiful water color illustrations by Lee Steadman. BK531 Let the Children Give: Time, Talents, Love and Money This book is designed to be used to supplement an ongoing ministry with children. It will help to teach them how to use their gifts, talents, and the Earth's resources in a way to show their love for God. BK903 It Is Easy Being Green: 60 Bible Stories & Crafts with the Earth in Mind It Is Easy Being Green features sixty exciting craft projects that children will enjoy making while learning about the Bible and building their faith. Simple "green" crafts accompany a related Bible stories. Teachers will enjoy clear, step by step instructions, along with a materials list featuring green or recycled products. It Is Easy Being Green utilizes many wonderful artistic mediums through which children can express their creative side and explore their faith in a group setting. This ready to use book provides a hands on, fun way of bringing God s Word to children and can be used in a variety of settings, including Sunday school and mid week. Includes scripture index and reproducible pages. Ages 6 8. Websites related to The United Methodist Church Energy Policy Statement ~ 6 ~

7 Farming General Board of Church and Society: Clean Air gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b= &ct= General Board of Church and Society: Clean Water gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b= &ct= General Board of Church and Society: Environmental Racism gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b= &ct= General Board of Church and Society: Global Warming and Energy gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b= &ct= General Board of Church and Society: Sustainable Development gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b= &ct= General Board of Church and Society: Sustainable Living gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b= &ct= Recycling and the Use of Recycled Products Resolution on Environmental Justice for a Sustainable Future Resolution on Environmental Stewardship Resolution on God's Creation and the Church Teaching Creation Care And Appreciation 598f 460a b9a eda%7D/TEACH.PDF Young People's Ministries: Environmental Stewardship adult/environmental stewardship/ Young People's Ministries: Resources for God s Renewed Creation ~ 7 ~

Creation Care Resources

Creation Care Resources from the NCCUMC Media Center Last Updated: April 12, 2011 Purpose: This subject guide was created for Earth Day but could be useful any time your group would like to study what