The Global Ministries EarthKeepers program trains and supports United Methodist laity and clergy to address local environmental concerns and the systemic structures that give rise to those concerns. It is a response to the call to practice social and environmental holiness in the Council of Bishops’ 2009 document, “God’s Renewed Creation: A Call to Hope and Action.
”During their training, EarthKeepers discussed eco-theology and United Methodist entry points into environmental stewardship. They articulated their senses of calling to this ministry, identified community assets and local environmental concerns, and developed project plans to address those concerns. The training was led by staff from Global Ministries, with resources from other United Methodist agencies.
Congratulations to Rev. Lindsey Russell and Daniel Hiatt for becoming our newest Earthkeepers in the Arkansas Conference!
Daniel Hiatt, program coordinator at Mt. Eagle
My project is updating Mount Eagle Retreat Center’s compost program to engage guests, provoke change, and foster creation care connection points. An industrial compost machine capable of processing 160 lbs every 24 hours will be a platform to build a strategy that could include art, devotionals, signs, and more that communicates with guests to create an accessible entry point into creation justice participation and development. Thanks to grants from the Methodist Foundation of Arkansas and Clinton’s UWF, we have been able to construct the compost shed and begin the process of purchasing the compost machine.
Rev. Lindsey Rusell
“I am honored to have gone through the EarthKeeprs training and to learn from United Methodists around the country. Our time together taught us more about our sacred calling to recognize the goodness in all of God’s creation and to steward it lovingly and responsibly. Together, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, our projects will positively impact both people and planet as live more fully into our calling a caretakers of God’s good creation.”
My project is called “Re-naturalizing the Natural State”. Many of us have personally seen the devastating effects of flooding, drought and tornadoes on our communities and local ecosystems. After training with the Arkansas Master Naturalists this coming Spring, I will help churches in the Northwest District come into alignment with recent legislation from General Conference 2024 that calls for churches to conduct assessments of their land use for the purpose of bringing them back into harmony with the natural ecosystems in which God has designed. This will improve stormwater management, increase biodiversity, support local wildlife and enhance heat resiliency caused by modern construction and roadway practices. Email me if your Northwest District Church would like a consultation!