News from Charlotte, North Carolina – United Methodists organizing for Creation Justice at General Conference plan an Earth Day Vigil for Creation at First United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, on April 22nd at 7:00 pm ET, with hundreds expected to attend in person and virtually.
The event comes together from a wide coalition of United Methodists, agencies and organizations, including the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement, United Women in Faith, Global Ministries, and Church and Society, with additional support coming from those attending virtually and the United Methodists hosting gatherings in their local churches across the denomination.
“We are excited to offer this gathering for people in Charlotte and those who will join us online to kick off General Conference with such an important focus—care for the Earth and care for one another,” said Cathy Velasquez Eberhart, a key organizer and leader in the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement.
While the focus of other events or conversations at General Conference may be on the loss of disaffiliating churches or necessary budget adjustments, United Methodists at the Vigil will focus on the joy of worshiping together after the delays of the pandemic, with a call to attend to God’s Creation and a focus on a caring for Earth and neighbor as a new missional priority for the denomination.
Speakers will include Dr. Musa Dube, Distinguished Professor of New Testament Chandler School of Theology at Emory University and Ragghi Rain Calentine, an Eastern Cherokee and Chair of The United Methodist Church’s Native American International Caucus.
More information about the Earth Day Vigil for Creation, including event registration, can be found on the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement’s event webpage. The First United Methodist Church in Charlotte is located at 501 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202.
The United Methodist Creation Justice Movement is a grassroots effort of United Methodists across the denomination, organized to participate with the Spirit of God in connecting and supporting groups within The United Methodist Church and beyond for the work of creation care, justice, and regeneration.
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