Over the next several weeks, we will be sharing a series of articles focusing on the legislative items that will be brought to the annual conference session on June 6-8, 2025, in Mitchell, S.D. Clergy and lay members are reminded to register for annual conference before May 15 and to attend one of the pre-conference webinars held on May 27, 29 and June 1.

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The 2024 General Conference passed legislation that called upon annual conferences to “name a conference Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator who will be responsible for helping the conference develop programs to help it become more ecologically sustainable and to address environmental injustices…” (Par. 629.2)

In light of this legislation, as well as resolutions found in the 2024 Book of Resolutions related to the formation of conference Creation Care/Justice Team, the 2025 Dakotas Annual Conference will consider a resolution submitted by Rev. Marty-Toepke-Floyd, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Jamestown, N.D. and the Extending Missional Impact Link. The resolution outlines action steps and accountability for implementing this required role into the structure of the annual conference and supporting our collective work of caring for all of God’s creation.

As annual conferences across our connection do this important work, the General Board of Church and Society as well as the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement have provided resources to support individuals, churches, and annual conferences in stewardship of creation.

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Title: Formation of Conference Green Team and Naming of Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator

Information submitted and affirmed by: Rev. Marty Toepke-Floyd, Jamestown First UMC, co-chair of Extending Missional Impact Link; members of the Extending Missional Impact Link

Action: In light of the legislation passed at the 2024 General Conference to name, hire, appoint, or nominate a Conference Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator by the 2026 annual conference (or sooner) and the resolution to form green teams and a Conference Creation Care/Justice Team to serve alongside, support, and help carry out the work of the

conference Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator and support and serve alongside these green teams, that actions be taken to implement these directives and present a full

report of progress in development of coordination and green team formation to the 2026 annual conference.

Rationale: 

WHEREAS, the General Conference of The United Methodist Church called on the Council of Bishops to:

“Support the efforts of annual conferences to form teams of United Methodists committed to creation care.” 2024 Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, page 96;

WHEREAS, the General Conference of The United Methodist Church called on the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) to:

“Develop resources,” “form teams,” and “respond to our call to be caretakers of God’s creation.” 2024 Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, page 97;

WHEREAS, the 2024 General Conference took action to affirm the formation of green teams (creation care teams, environmental justice teams) and a Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator in every annual conference in the denomination;

WHEREAS, Jesus appointed the twelve as disciples and apostles, and as well “commissioned seventy-two others and sent them on ahead in pairs to every city and place he was about to go. He said to them, ‘The harvest is bigger than you can imagine.’” (Luke 10:1-2 CEB);

WHEREAS, the United Methodist Creation Justice Movement has provided many resources for United Methodists forming and acting through green teams across the denomination and has developed many resources supporting a network of conference Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinators, then,

WHEREAS, legislation was passed at the 2024 General Conference to name, hire, appoint, or nominate a conference Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator:

“The conference board of church and society or equivalent structure shall name a conference Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator who will be responsible for helping the conference develop programs to become more ecologically sustainable and to address environmental injustices” ¶ 628.2 2024 Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church, page 459.  

And to affirm the formation of green teams and a Conference Creation Care/Justice Team to serve alongside, support, and help carry out the work of the conference Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator:

Be It Resolved: That every local church, charge, cluster, or district is urged to create a “green team” or strengthen an existing one for action in four areas each year—Worship, Education, Practice, and Advocacy—providing children, youth, and adults of all ages with inspiration, knowledge, encouragement, and practical means for caring for creation and justice. [So] That creation care and justice will be lifted up in all areas of ministry and mission.” 5112. Green Team Formation. 2024 Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church, page 933.

And further, that the annual conference will support and serve alongside these green teams:

“The annual conference will assist churches with resources and mentors, as needed, particularly—but not exclusively—through the conference’s Creation Care/Justice Team.” Adopted 2024, The Book of Resolutions, page 934.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Caretakers of God’s Creation Coordinator be named and affirmed at the 2026 annual conference by the members of the Dakotas Annual Conference, or, if time allows, the conference Creation Care/Justice Team will meet with the conference board of church and society or appropriate entity to confer, so that a conference Coordinator is named by September 2025, and, recognizing the urgency facing the Earth and God’s people, a full report of progress in development of coordination and green team formation is presented at the 2026 annual conference.