Social Principles of The United Methodist Church: The Natural World

All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it.  Water, air, soil, minerals, energy resources, plants, animal life, and space are to be valued and conserved because they are God’s creation and not solely because they are useful to human beings.  God has granted us stewardship of creation.  We should meet these stewardship duties through acts of loving care and respect.  Economic, political, social, and technological developments have increased our human numbers and lengthened and enriched our lives.

However, these developments have led to regional defoliation, dramatic extinction of species, massive human suffering, and misuse and overconsumption of natural and nonrenewable resources, particularly by industrialized societies.  This continued course of action jeopardizes the natural heritage that God has entrusted to all generations.  Therefore, let us recognize the responsibility of the church and its members to place a high priority on changes in economic, political, social, and technological lifestyles to support a more ecologically equitable and sustainable world leading to a higher quality of life for all of God’s creation.

We support measures designed to maintain and restore natural ecosystems.

Franklin First UMC Creation Care Vision Statement

Following the precepts of the Social Principles of  The United Methodist Church:  The Natural World, Creation Care will devote its efforts to ensure that FFUMC will be an ecologically responsible community with a commitment to protecting, sustaining, and enhancing the church’s natural environment.

For information on the next Creation Care Team gathering, contact Pastor John Melick or Kay Matthews or click the button below. 

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Mission of Franklin First UMC Creation Care

  • Creation Care will engage appropriately with the FFUMC congregation, its officers, and its staff to be aware of the decision-making of the Church as it relates to the stewardship of God’s Creation and environmental sustainability, particularly with respect to the FFUMC property.

  • Creation Care is also committed to identifying specific actions and activities that will help to reduce the overall environmental impact of the Church’s facilities, programs, and practices in order to encourage and promote stewardship and environmentally sustainable practices within the Church.

  • Creation Care will initiate a number of environmentally sound practices to enhance the Church’s natural environment, such as the removal of invasive species, cleanup of the streams and grounds, creating a more favorable habitat for wildlife, fostering the presence of native vegetation, and developing and maintaining additional walking trails for facilitating meditation and the appreciation of this beautiful environment.

  • Finally, Creation Care will initiate programs and activities with the intent of educating staff and the congregation about environmental stewardship and sustainability, and will work toward increasing participation and assistance in these initiatives from all members and staff, as well as from the greater community.