Micah Connection

Provided by the UM Creation Justice Movement at umcreationjustice.org.

Tips for trying an "Another Way" to enjoy December and the Advent Season.

1. "God so loved the world..." Most often Christians hear John 3:16 in relationship to personal salvation. But look again at what God loves enough to send God's own Son as a gift--the world! All of creation, not just humans. If God so loved the world, then we need to also. Choose at least one aspect of creation and love it through your gifts.
2. Change the usual pre-Christmas conversation of "What do you want for Christmas?" to a focus on "What do you need?" You may find hints or right-out requests for something that would be especially helpful or meaningful and that may also be kind to the environment.
3. If a loved one says, "I don't need anything for Christmas," choose a thoughtful gift that is zero-waste, such as a shampoo bar, a package of wooden clothes pins to use instead of plastic "chip clips," preserves from local farmers, some bamboo toilet paper, a bracelet made of plastic recovered from an ocean, a packet of seeds for wildflowers. Sustainable gifts spark lasting change.
4. Have a conversation--not a confrontation--with your teen about any gifted money. Invite them to think about investing in their future and Creation's. Help them explore possibilities related to their interests or concerns, such as organizations that care for wildlife, replant trees, support ocean clean up, or address justice issues. Ultimately, remember the money was a gift to them--not you. Your gift is to be a thinking partner.

See the complete Top 10 List in the most recent Creation Care Newsletter.

Be creative in how you take care of God's gift of creation and those who live in it. Call Amy DeVore at the Church Office to let us know what you are doing.