Briefly
The Environmental Coalition urges churches and individuals to sign the Paris Pledge about fossil fuels, announced UM deaconess Pat Hoerth.
The Coalition, chaired by Mark Davies, is a subgroup of the Oklahoma Conference Board of Church & Society.
The pledge is circulating prior to a United Nations Climate Change Conference that begins Nov. 30 in Paris, France. Signers pledge to cut their carbon footprint 50 percent by 2030 and to be carbon-neutral by 2050. (www.parispledge.org)
Hoerth pointed to paragraph 160.D of the Church’s Social Principles: "We acknowledge the global impact of humanity’s disregard for God’s creation … We therefore support efforts of all governments to require mandatory reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and call on individuals, congregations, businesses, industries, and communities to reduce their emissions."
The Paris Pledge tells world leaders that people are committed to reduce fossil fuel use and move to alternative energy sources "so that creation can heal and sustain all life on Earth," Hoerth said.
She listed resources: www.coolcongregations.org and the Oklahoma chapter of Interfaith Power & Light website.
Skyline adds worship
Worship is part of Saturday operating hours, new at Skyline Urban Ministry in Oklahoma City.
Each Saturday, the Food Resource Center and Clothes Closet are open from 9 to 11 a.m. A meal is served at 11, followed by "Prayer and Healing" at 11:30.
Church groups are asked to consider food drives and volunteering service at Skyline, a United Methodist-related mission.
Last month, the mission assisted 2,300 people, according to its October newsletter.
Now in the DVD library
Two new video resources are available for free loan to your study group from the DVD Library at the United Methodist Ministry Center in Oklahoma City.
- "Making Sense of The Bible: Rediscovering the Power of Scripture Today," by Adam Hamilton. The video consists of six sessions, each 10 to 12 minutes long. It addresses questions such as these three: Who decided which books made it into the Bible and why? How literally must we read it? Is the Bible ever wrong? Closed-captioned.
- "Joseph: The Journey to Forgiveness," by Melissa Spoelstra, a popular women’s conference speaker, Bible teacher, and author. This six-week study explores what God has to say to us about grace and forgiveness, based on Joseph’s story of trial and triumph found in Genesis 37-50. Each segment lasts about 25 minutes. Closed-captioned; with leader guide and preview book.
View all the DVD resources available in the library at: www.okumc.org/dvd_library
For more information, contact Chris Schutz, 405-530-2075, cschutz@okumc.org.