A season of renewal: Cultivating hope in a changing climate

Lorraine Stutzman Amstutz is MC USA’s denominational minister for Peace and Justice. 

“We believe that everything belongs to God, who calls us as the church to live as faithful stewards of all that God has entrusted to us.” — Article 21, “Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective.”

Spring is a season of profound renewal. It brings the joy of new life, the vibrant colors of blooming flowers and the dreams of a flourishing garden. Yet, this year, our planting is accompanied by a heavy reality: we are witnessing a planet in transition. From impacted food systems and natural disasters to the displacement of our global siblings, the effects of climate change are no longer distant – they are here.

For many of our congregations, it can feel overwhelming to know how to respond to such massive disruption. How do we make a meaningful difference? The answer is simple, yet profound: we must begin.

We are not alone on this journey. A growing network of congregations and organizations has already started paving the path. We can live into this season of renewal by having honest, faithful conversations about our calling in a climate-changed world.

Where is your congregation in the journey?

Like any garden, the work of stewardship happens in stages. Ask yourselves:

• Tilling the ground: Are you just beginning to embrace the call to think about climate justice?
• Seed planting: Are you raising awareness and planting the seeds of knowledge within your pews?
• Harvesting: Are you already enacting sustainability projects and teaching others to do the same?

Practical steps for the journey

No matter where you are starting, there are tangible ways to engage your stewardship this season:

• Worship: Plan a creation-centered service for Earth Day to celebrate God’s handiwork.
• Study: Engage in a group study on the intersections of faith, climate change, and global justice.
• Organize: Create a “Green Team” or task force to identify sustainable shifts for your church.
• Partner: Connect with local environmental organizations on a community project.
• Infrastructure: Look into energy-efficient upgrades for your worship space.

In Proverbs 31:8, we are called to “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” We can apply this to both vulnerable populations and the voiceless creation. As we remember that everything we have is a gift from God, we are also reminded that, by nurturing the earth and caring for our communities, we aren’t just “going green” – we are acting faithfully.

This spring, let’s cultivate hope together, one seed at a time.