A key focus in our Creation Care efforts is to promote climate change solutions. Recognizing that we, as a community of faith, cannot do this work alone, we have partnered with ecoAmerica, a non-profit working to promote climate change solutions, and with their program Blessed Tommorow, a coalition of diverse religious partners united as faithful stewards of God’s creation.
In 2023, Midway Christian Church became the first church to join One Home One Future, a multi-faith campaign to strengthen vitality, relevance, and community connection across generations in local congregations nationwide. This coalition was organized by, and is supported by, ecoAmerica’s Blessed Tomorrow program. One Home One Future is a multi-year campaign that educates, activates, and supports clergy, congregants, youth, and all spiritual people in meaningful and just solutions locally, regionally, and nationally in ways that are accessible and positive.
Pastor McColl was interviewed by ecoAmerica in 2017 about Midway Christian Church’s efforts in climate change solutions. The article appeared in the 2017 Let’s Lead on Climate guide, which features stories from organizations and communities across America that have successfully engaged their constituents in programs and initiatives to elevate climate leadership, action, and solutions. Midway Christian Church, and our efforts to live out “God’s call to love our neighbors and care for creation…”, was also featured in ecoAmerica’s “Faith in Action: Caring for Community and Creation” promotional video.
Our food sustainability and creation care efforts were recognized in the Winter 2019 Religion.
In 2018, Midway Christian Church became the first Disciples of Christ church to commit to going Carbon Neutral by 2030. The first step was to invite Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, Lexington Theological Seminary Assistant Professor, to help us plan. On Earth Sunday Dr. Schade led Sunday School and later delivered the sermon which challenged the congregation to be bold in their commitment by focusing more time on advocacy and activism.
Also in 2018, we partnered with Kentucky Interfaith Power & Light to begin the process to purchase and install two arrays of solar panels on the Fellowship Hall roof. Dr. Schade’s summary of her visit with us was published in the April 25, 2018 edition of ecoPreacher. As a way to provide information and to raise awareness about timely topics relating to Care of Creation and the Midway Green Chalice’s work toward becoming carbon neutral, we observe a monthly “Moment for Creation” during our worship service.
We are proud of our association with Kentucky IPL and its other partners in working toward their mission: “Through education, advocacy and action, Kentucky IPL mobilizes a religious response to climate change and the social injustices it creates.” In 2016, Midway Christian Church was honored to place 2nd in the Sacred Grounds category of KIPL’s Cool Congregations Challenge. Two years later we proudly received the Hope in Action award and joined KIPL at the Earth Steward level. MCC was welcomed as a Creation Keeper Partner in 2020.