Welcome to the Website of the UMC Northern Illinois Conference
Net-Zero Task Force
The NIC Net Zero team is working toward Net-Zero emissions goals for Northern Illinois Conference, in concert with the United Methodist Church's 12-agency commitment to "achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 across ministries, facilities, operations, and investments."
General Conference - Great, great news!
General Conference, the delayed global legislative gathering of the United Methodist Church (April 23 - May 3, 2024) , passed nearly everything the church's creation justice advocates were hoping for.
The Revised Social Principles passed, including its Creation Care section.
These links go to the actual legislation passed. Check them out!
Creation Care & Sustainability Related – Action in the Local Church & Conference
Establish a Conference Caretakers of God's Creation Coordinator in Each Annual Conference
Church Land Use
Green Team Formation & Other Ministry Group Coordinators
Sustainable Practices for Annual Conference Sessions
Use of Plastic
Clean Energy Transition - Net Zero Related
Commitment to Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Recognizing United Methodist Support for Global Green New Deal Initiatives and Legislative Efforts
Annual Carbon Footprint and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Audit for Local Church
Reporting Church's Progress on Facilities Becoming Carbon Neutral and/or Having Net Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Other
Want to take climate action but don't have money for geothermal or solar systems?
Do you have investments? Here's an option that requires no fundraising, only a shift in investment strategy for your congregation - or individuals: Divestment. FossilFreeUMC argues cogently that there is no practical justification for profiting from fossil fuel investments, when the fossil companies have abandoned their "commitments" to change direction. The website helps you make the case to your trustees.
If your investments are with the Midwest Methodist Foundation, you can easily request investments to be shifted to one of the Foundation's two Climate Solutions funds. Check out performance reports here.
The not-yet news: The petition to add "fossil fuels" to the list of investment screens to avoid did not pass at General Conference this year - time ran out. But it's still one of the simplest actions you and your congregation can take. Here's why.
Rev. Harriette Cross,
NIC Net-Zero Task Force Coordinator
The NIC Net Zero team is working toward Net-Zero emissions goals for Northern Illinois Conference, in concert with the United Methodist Church's 12-agency commitment to "achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 across ministries, facilities, operations, and investments."
Here's the link to our page on the Northern Illinois AC website.
Are you already working on sustainability in your congregation? Share your success stories! Here's the form: https://tinyurl.com/NICNetZeroStories and let us know your church, your project, how it happened, how it's going, and contact person.
You and your congregation are invited to join in this effort. This website offers links to resources that can help.
Also, check out our Facebook group page for timely news, and to share your testimony of success!
Click here for details of the 2023 Net Zero Action Plan, and how your congregation can connect.
The new Lay Servant Ministries course Loving People and Planet in the Name of God is now online. Are you willing to help bring it to your local lay academy?
Click here for specific resources about energy and creation care efforts for the congregation.