Harmony Creation Care
Dismantling Environmental Racism
We are obligated to care for the earth. It is one of the first responsibilities given to human beings at the beginning of creation.When we fail to live up to our responsibility, and use our power and dominion to make the best decisions for creation, there is the consequence of suffering.
Many times those affected by wastefulness and poor decisions that cause pollution are those who are unable to pay for the comfortable suburban living. The unjust poor and traditionally oppressed communities many times concentrated with people of color inherit polluted air and polluted water. This results in environmental racism.Harmony Creation Care Curriculum sheds light on ways churches, familes,andcommunities can be more kind to the earth.
Being aware of Environmental Justice active groups and bringing awareness to our congregations would also facilitate sensivity and change in how we preserve the earth. Gods creation.
Harmony Creation Care
Rev. Crystal Paul-Watson and her mother Lavanda Paul are commissioned Earthkeepers in the Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. They believe in the importance of teaching the younger generations how to cultivate organic heirloom seeds. The Harmony Creation Curriculum is a tool that can be used in young adult ministries and youth groups as well as amongst parents who want to share the gift of gardening with their children and grandchildren. The curriculum interweaves gardening stories and strategies with Biblical narratives about Creation Care. The goal is to empower families and communities to enjoy the fellowship and fruitfulness of gardening while caring for the earth.
Lavanda Paul is the mother of 10 adult children and grandmother of 22 grandchildren. She is the cofounder of Faithlock Ministries, which she founded with her husband Charles Paul Sr. Born and raised on a farm in Lismon, Alabama, Lavanda tells the stories of her experience growing all sorts of vegetables on the family farm in her youth. She continues to farm in her garden in Mobile, Alabama and shares her knowledge as a master gardener in the Harmony Curriculum.
Crystal Paul-Watson serves as clergy in two United Methodist Churches in the Hudson Valley area of New York. She is married to Rev. Derrick Watson and was inspired to create this curriculum for her 12 year old daughter Zyanna Rain and the youth groups in the churches she serves. Crystal received her Masters of Divinity from Drew University, a second Masters in English from Cortland State University and a third Masters in Educational Leadership from SUNY New Paltz. Through the Harmony curriculum, she wants to inspire diverse populations of people in agriculture, multiculturalism, and creation care.
Both mother daughter duo Lavanda and Crystal hope to empower families, young adults, and community organizations with this Harmony Creation Care Curriculum
Fight For The Planet We Have and Want
Be a part of the first generation to know that our world is being destroyed because of environmental racism. Become part of the solution that makes a difference. From Flint, Michigan to the toxic waste dumps in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, communities of color are disproportionately burdened with health hazards.
As a result, these communities suffer greater rates of health problems attendant to hazardous pollutants. Harmony Conference, along with our partners has a plan to combat this issue. And with your help, we can make things better.
