NEW Hybrid Format!
The Faithful Leadership in the Climate Crisis cohort was initially planned with an in-person gathering from Feb 7-9. It has been shifted to a hybrid (in-person/Zoom) format. See below for the newly revised details!
Why Sign up?
We are living in a time when the climate is changing. Fire and flood, unbreathable air and undrinkable water, rapid loss of forests and biodiversity – these are signs that humanity has lost its way as stewards, caregivers, siblings to the good, created world around us.
In a time of environmental crisis, what does it mean to respond faithfully to God’s call to care for creation? What does it mean to follow Jesus to be with the vulnerable and those who suffer because of environmental damage? And what is the particular work of the Church in these times; where young and old alike face an uncertain future? The climate is changing, and we who follow Jesus must move towards this suffering and loss, as God calls us to be hope and healing in the world.
In our experience as pastors and climate action leaders in the church, we find that discussing climate brings a diverse set of emotions, from a soft denial that hides our fears to an anxiety that is immobilizing to an anger that doesn’t find an outlet. How can pastoral care and preaching provide resources for people to engage, care, and act?
What is it?
Open to 25 pastors and church leaders, this 6-month cohort will bring together scientific and theological resources, formational insights and practical guidance. The cohort will include:
- Saturday Feb 8 - A Zoom gathering during the day, likely in two parts and totalling about 3-4 hours. Times TBD. This initial gathering will include worship, 2 short presentations, small group discussion, and a time to introduce the project component of the cohort. (Manitoban participants have the option to join the facilitators in-person at a Winnipeg location to be determined.)
- Monthly Zoom meetings in which we'll hear from presenters and discuss updates on the projects. March 5, April 9, May 7, and June 4. Times TBD to ensure it works in all regional time zones.
- A possible/optional in-person gathering for those who are able to attend, July 5-6, corresponding with the MC Canada Gathering in Kitchener. This gathering will wrap up with presenters and sharing about projects.
An exciting component of this cohort will be the invitation to initiate a climate related project that each participant will work on during the duration of the course and will have an opportunity to report on as we draw the cohort to a close.
We know this is a significant commitment, but when it comes to responding to climate change, we need more than information, we need formation, even transformation into new Spirit-induced approaches.
We will build on the experiences and knowledge that you already bring from your ministry in your congregation or ministry. We will discover biblical and pastoral resources on creation care and climate change and bring stories of ways congregations have engaged these issues. We will also have time for reflection on your ministry in the congregation and will support each other in planning the course projects.
Presenters and Topics
Presenters will include Professor Rachel Krause (CMU, Biology Dept), Joanne Moyer (The King's University, Environmental Studies and Geography), Wendy Janzen (Burning Bush Forest Church), Doug Kaufman (Anabaptist Climate Collaborative), Tim Wiebe Neufeld (Mennonite Church Alberta) on leadership in the context of the climate crisis, and Sandy Plett on building hope in a time of crisis.
Additional tentative themes include:
- preaching on climate and hope
- climate and racial justice
- climate and decolonization (indigenous justice)
- climate and immigration
- responding to natural disasters
- public policy and climate
- Climate and peacebuilding
Each session will also include time for participants to update one another on their climate-related project.
Schedule:
Saturday, Feb 8 - A hybrid (in-person and online) gathering
The day will start with worship and will include two presentations, small group discussion, and a time to introduce the project component of the cohort. Participants able to get to Winnipeg may join the facilitators in-person at Fort Garry Mennonite Fellowship.
- Part 1: 10am - 12pm CST
- Lunch Break: 12pm - 1pm CST
- Part 2: 1pm - 3pm CST
Monthly Zoom meetings from 10am - 12pm CST in which we'll hear from presenters and discuss updates on the projects. Will be held Wednesdays - March 5, April 9, May 7, and June 4.
A BONUS hybrid (Zoom and in-person) gathering to be held July 5-6 following the MC Canada Gathering in Kitchener, ON. This gathering will wrap up with presenters and sharing about projects.
Note: We are planning to record all sessions to make the discussions available for those whose schedule conflicts with the actual times. Attendance in real time is best for everyone.
To register:
The cost of the virtual portions of this cohort will be covered by Mennonite Church Canada. Costs for the in-person gathering will be determined by May 2025.
We are excited about the possibilities with this revised cohort plan and welcome any questions you might have. To sign up, email Sandy Plett, Climate Action Coordinator and ask for more information. We look forward to hearing from you!