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Creation Care

Who We Are

We are a group of Christians at Brentwood United Methodist Church who believe that all creation is sacred and that as Christians we are called to be stewards of and to take actions to restore God’s creation. We are concerned that humankind often uses the earth’s air, water, and land in destructive ways, and those actions – while harmful to all – have a disproportionate impact on those who did the least to harm God’s creation and who are least able to adapt to a changing environment. We observe results of humanity’s failure to be good stewards including localized pollution and a warming climate.

Through the creation care ministry, we hope to create awareness and enhance the desire to be better stewards of God’s creation. We believe that as Christians we are called to help mitigate the impacts of poor stewardship including climate change and that together, we can make a difference.

Our Baptismal Vow

When we are baptized into Christian community, we promise to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves​. As the body of Christ, ​ we believe that God created and is creating, and that we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse God’s creation.

As noted in The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (2016); Social Principles; The Natural World: “God has granted us stewardship of creation. We should meet these stewardship duties through acts of loving care and respect. … 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.” The 2009 Pastoral Letter titled "God's Renewed Creation: Call to Hope and Action” from the Council of Bishops of The United Methodists includes that "[w]e must begin the work of renewing creation by being renewed in our own hearts and minds. We cannot help the world until we change our way of being in it.” To read the full vow, click the button below.

Our Baptismal Vow

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How Can I Get Involved?

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Blessing of the Animals

Animals are integral to God’s creation, and pets are often important parts of our lives. One Sunday afternoon in October we thank God for animals and the blessings pets provide us and bless them.

Green Interchange

Plant a Bigger Tree in Tennessee

We partner with Green Interchange throughout the year for their Plant a Tree for Tennessee initiative. Trees are available for purchase and planting by Green Interchange for varying prices.

How Else Does BUMC Participate in Creation Care?

  • ThriftSmart Donation Bin

    There is a ThriftSmart donation bin on the BUMC campus for year-round donations of gently-used items. The bin is located near the Buchanan House on the south side of our campus. As a GiveSmart member, BUMC earns $1 in ThriftSmart gift cards for every 10 pounds of donated goods. We are able to distribute these gift cards through our Benevolence Ministry and our other ministry partners.

  • Computer-controlled HVAC system

    Our computer-controlled HVAC system allows heating and cooling of only areas of the building that are going to be used, thereby reducing both BUMC energy needs and expenditures for heating and cooling.

  • LED Lighting

    Since 2024, we have replaced around 80% of fluorescent and incandescent lighting with LED lighting on our campus.

  • Campus Recycling

    We recycle paper and cardboard on our campus with designated recycling bins around the building.

  • Water Fountains

    Since 2021, we are in the process of replacing our current water fountains with fountains that have bottle-filling stations. We are doing this as the current water fountains come to the end of their lifespan.

  • Recycling at Church Events

    The Creation Care Ministry volunteers to provide recycling services at church-wide events like Harvest Jamboree to ensure plastic waste is properly recycled.

Resources

The Wesleyan Quadrilateral (with Scripture as the primary authority and tradition, reason, and experience illuminating it) provides tools for United Methodist to discern faithful responses and direction in a complex world.

Scripture and Tradition

Reason and Experience