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 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 2004. Table of Contents Subjects and Keywords... 1 Video Resources... 2 Books... 3 Youth Video Resources... 4 Youth Books... 5 Children's Video Resources... 5 Children's Books... 5 Websites related to The United Methodist Church... 5 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 http://nccumc.org/mediacenter/electronic resources to find electronic resources related to this subject. Environment
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 http://storyofstuff.org. 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 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. VC2015 Reclaiming a Natural Balance Reclaiming a Natural Balance summarizes the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits' efforts to address environmental issues, specifically the fight against chlorine in the pulp and paper industry. Residents living in a pulp mill town discuss the hardship of seeing their air and water polluted; the Women's Division of the General Board of Global Ministries shares stories of its consumer campaign aimed at Kinko's; and the General Board documents its own process of implementing chlorine free paper within the organization. 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 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. 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 http://www.peacedvd.com. 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 http://storyofstuff.org. 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? VC1132 Visioning for God's Shalom "Created as an interactive resource with a music video segment, this video and guide help young people explore issues and discuss their visions of peace, meaningful life, and a healthy environment. The guide includes ideas for discussion, relevant Scripture study, exercises, and ways to respond. Student handouts are provided for each lesson." 4 sessions: Peace Within, Peace with Others, Peace with the World, A Commitment to Peace. VC1149 Whole People, Whole Earth: Kit 15 sessions in video and discussion for youth. The Hunt for Happiness, Images in a Box, Doesn't Everyone Want Peace?, Great Job Search, Can the Earth Be Healed, How Far Would You Go?, Experiencing God in the Midst of Clutter, Heard in Stereotype, Shattering Images, Bod by God, When
Dates Go Bad, Co Creators and Caretakers, 2 Serve 4 God, In Spite of the Odds. The series focuses on peace, service, and environmental concern. 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. 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. Websites related to The United Methodist Church Energy Policy Statement http://archives.umc.org/interior_print.asp?ptid=4&mid=958 Farming http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=1&mid=679
General Board of Church and Society: Clean Air http://www.umc gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b=3631781&ct=3983619 General Board of Church and Society: Clean Water http://www.umc gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b=3631781&ct=3999053 General Board of Church and Society: Environmental Racism http://www.umc gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b=3631781&ct=3986175 General Board of Church and Society: Global Warming and Energy http://www.umc gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b=3631781&ct=3956191 General Board of Church and Society: Sustainable Development http://www.umc gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b=3631781&ct=3961263 General Board of Church and Society: Sustainable Living http://www.umc gbcs.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=frljk2pklqf&b=3631781&ct=3961267 Recycling and the Use of Recycled Products http://archives.umc.org/interior.asp?ptid=4&mid=965 Resolution on Environmental Justice for a Sustainable Future http://archives.umc.org/interior_print.asp?ptid=4&mid=959 Resolution on Environmental Stewardship http://archives.umc.org/interior_print.asp?ptid=4&mid=962 Teaching Creation Care And Appreciation http://www.kintera.org/atf/cf/%7b3482e846 598f 460a b9a7 386734470eda%7D/TEACH.PDF Young People's Ministries: Environmental Stewardship http://globalyoungpeople.org/resource/young adult/environmental stewardship/ Young People's Ministries: Resources for God s Renewed Creation http://globalyoungpeople.org/grcresources/