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Daily Archives: May 26, 2025

Faith in Action: Simple Steps to Save Electricity and Care for God’s Creation

As followers of Christ, we are called to be good stewards of God’s creation. One powerful way to live out that calling is by making conscious choices that reduce our environmental impact—starting with how we use electricity.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, electricity production is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. In fact, about <b67% of our electricity comes from burning fossil fuels like coal and natural gas. These emissions contribute directly to climate change and environmental degradation.

Thankfully, there are practical steps we can take to reduce our personal and collective impact. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society encourages us to consider the following actions:

Choose Energy-Efficient Lighting

One of the simplest ways to save electricity is by switching to CFL (compact fluorescent light) or LED (light-emitting diode) bulbs. These bulbs use a fraction of the electricity of traditional incandescent ones and last much longer. Every small change adds up—and this is a great place to start!

Upgrade to Energy-Efficient Appliances

When it’s time to replace your refrigerator, washing machine, or other home appliances, consider investing in Energy Star-certified models. They’re designed to use less electricity and water, saving both energy and money over time.

Let the Light In

Sometimes all it takes to save energy is opening the curtains. Letting natural light into your home or workspace can reduce the need to use electric lighting during daylight hours. It’s a simple habit that promotes both energy conservation and a more cheerful atmosphere.

Reduce Air Conditioner Use

Air conditioning is another major energy consumer. Consider adjusting your thermostat, using fans, and ventilating with outdoor air when possible. Small steps like these reduce strain on the power grid and limit your environmental footprint.

Invest in Renewable Energy

If you’re in a position to do so, explore solar panels, wind power, or green energy options from your utility provider. Renewable energy helps reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and supports a more sustainable future.

Rethink Transportation

The vehicles we drive are another major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Carpooling, using public transportation, biking, or driving low-emission or electric vehicles can significantly cut down on our carbon output. Plus, sharing a ride often builds community and connection!

Eat Local, Think Global

Our food choices matter too. Eating locally grown produce and goods reduces the need for long-distance shipping, which burns large quantities of fuel. Supporting local farmers is also a great way to care for your community and promote sustainable agriculture.

Living the Call to Stewardship

As people of faith, we are uniquely positioned to lead by example. Small, mindful changes to how we live can have a profound impact—on the planet and on future generations. By embracing practices that conserve energy and reduce emissions, we honor the God who created this beautiful world and commanded us to care for it.

Let’s be a church—and a people—that lives out our faith in every action, including how we power our homes, travel, and care for the earth.

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” — Psalm 24:1

Ready to take the next step? Start with just one small change today. Your light—quite literally—can help brighten the world.

Prayer In Preparation for Pentecost, Week 3

26 May

Lord, Long ago, Jesus’ followers were gathered in a room in Jerusalem; befuddled, lost, and uncertain about what was next. Then You sent a sound like a rushing wind that shook the building, and tongues of fire that danced in their midst. It was Your Holy Spirit, empowering those disciples to proclaim the Good News of the Gospel in the languages of every nation on earth.

You had birthed Your Church in a burst of divine energy that formed confused individuals into the One Body of Christ.

We confess that we are just as befuddled, lost, and uncertain about what is next in a world of Covid-19, prejudice in many forms, poverty, and hopelessness. We have failed to acknowledge the reality of our condition, but no longer.

As we prepare for Pentecost Sunday, we ask that You send Your Holy Spirit in our midst just as powerfully as You did long ago. Rebirth us so that we come alive as One Body that boldly and faithfully proclaims Christ by what we say and, even more importantly, by what we do.

Come, Holy Spirit, come!
Amen.

Be on the lookout NEXT WEEK for a different prayer!

Memorial Day

26 May

https://youtu.be/NOcl17HIa7c

A UMNS Report by Barbara Dunlap-Berg*

From sea to shining sea, United Methodists are finding special ways to observe Memorial Day in the United States. Here is a sampling of ideas.

Pray for all who have given their lives for our freedom. “The major emphasis of the Memorial Day worship time,” said the Rev. Alan Brown, Hayes Memorial United Methodist Church, Fremont, Ohio, “is not on a secular observance; rather, it is the message of the gospels and the sacraments of the church.”
Read the names of fallen veterans, and toll a bell after each name is read. The Rev. Walter L. Graves encourages people to read the names when they see a war memorial. “Remember,” said the pastor of Reelsboro United Methodist Church, New Bern, N.C., “that was a person who had… dreams and desires.”
Provide special worship music with a PowerPoint presentation. “My church has a slide show of friends and family, living and dead, who have served in the military,” reported Leslie Haggs, lay leader at Angelica United Methodist Church in New York.
Offer a candlelight service. Bishop James Swanson of the Holston Annual (regional) Conference will preach at joint services of three congregations — Mount Wesley and New Victory, Telford, Tenn., and Mayberry, Jonesborough, Tenn. A candlelight service for those interred in the church cemetery will be part of worship.
Wave a flag. Youth of First United Methodist Church, Koppel, Pa., raised money to buy an American flag for all 225 residences in the little town. “I’m a flag-waver,” admitted the Rev. Donald A. Anderson. Quoted in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he expressed hope that the flags would “bring Koppel a sense of pride in participating in this great holiday honoring those who fought to protect our freedoms.”

At Arlington (Va.) National Cemetary, flags decorate the tombs of those who died in the service of their country. Photo courtesy of Arlington National Cemetery.
Lay a wreath. In Illinois, Malta United Methodist Church will have a special worship service. The congregation invites veterans of the community to pay tribute to fellow soldiers by marching as a unit from the church to the township library, where a wreath will be dedicated.
Decorate veterans’ graves. “After Sunday service,” said the Rev. Charlie Johnson Jr., a local pastor serving three congregations in the Lynchburg, Va., area, “we go into the church cemetery, remove the old flags placed on the graves of veterans last Memorial Day and replace them with new ones…We remember our active-duty military every Sunday during prayer.”
Do a project for active troops. In Maine, the North Searsport United Methodist Church is recruiting the community to join parishioners in a mission project to benefit soldiers going overseas. Participants will sew small pillows for military personnel. The project is in response to recent articles about soldiers having to pay for pillows on their flights.
Make military care packages. The congregation of First United Methodist Church, Alice, Texas, brought items for military care packages to mail to troops serving overseas. “Many of us have loved ones who are serving in the military,” member Stefany Simmons explained. “Each of us signed cards to include for the troops.”
Be part of a community-service day. Manatee United Methodist Church is one of two Bradenton, Fla., locations for the Journey of Remembrance, an annual community-service day honoring U.S. military veterans and their families for their care and sacrifice.

Parades are one way to honor those who sacrifice daily for our freedom. A web-only photo by Dee Dee Cobb.
Learn about issues affecting veterans. At Christ United Methodist Church, Troy, N.Y., a guest speaker will focus on the history and social justice issues related to military mental illness. “At Christ Church,” said the Rev. Nina Nichols in the Bennington Banner, “we honor those who serve their country, who served with the hope of bringing justice on behalf of our nation. But as a people of faith, we must not fail to call for a better way to peace than war. This Memorial Day we pray for peace for the war-weary.”
Glorify Jesus as the Prince of Peace and reach out to those whom others may forget. On Memorial Day – as he does throughout the year – John Alexander, a member of East Lake United Methodist Church, Birmingham, Ala., will be involved with Kairos Prison Ministries. A Christian, lay-led, ecumenical, volunteer, international prison ministry, Kairos brings Christ’s love and forgiveness to incarcerated individuals and their families.