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Greening of Greensky

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Continuing our series promoting the Michigan Conference’s Earth Day of Action, Pastor Sarah Sheaffer reflects on how Indigenous wisdom has shaped her congregation’s passion for creation care.

PASTOR SARAH SHEAFFER
Greensky Hill Indian UMC

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1, NRSVUE).

In the early breath of a winter morning, before the first rays of sunlight stretch across the lake, a quiet warmth radiates from the hand-hewn logs of Greensky Hill Church. It isn’t just the soft glow of newly installed LED bulbs or the gentle hum of our energy-efficient HVAC system that fills this sacred space — it’s something deeper, something woven into the very foundation of this place. It is the wisdom of those who walked this land long before us, those who rest in our burial grounds, and those who understood the sacred balance of creation.

Solar panels on church roof
In 2022, Greensky Hill Indian UMC received a $100,000 Sacred Spaces Clean Energy Grant to make their building more energy efficient. One goal they had was to install solar panels on the roof. Read this MIconnect article to learn more. ~ photo courtesy Sarah Sheaffer

At Greensky Hill Indian UMC, we are always learning — to slow down, be still, and listen. The wind speaks as it moves through our circle of trees. The water tells its ancient story as it carves its path. The soil holds the voices of generations before us. Our traditional Indigenous wisdom teaches us that the land is not ours to own and to care for and respect it as we would an elder, with reverence and humility. In our commitment to environmental justice, we find ourselves returning to these teachings, striving to live in a way that honors both our Creator and the created world.

Lent is a season of reflection, a time to look inward and ask where we have strayed from the path of faithfulness. How do we view Mother Earth? Do we treat her as a mere resource, or do we see her as a sacred trust? Do we live in a way that nurtures life, or do we take more than we give? In Luke 13:34, Jesus laments over Jerusalem, saying, “How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!” These words still speak to us, calling us to recognize the care God longs to offer us — and the care we are called to extend to one another and the land that sustains us.

Youth tending a garden
Youth enjoy tending the community garden on the grounds of Greensky Church. ~ photo courtesy Sarah Sheaffer

At Greensky Hill, we have sought to turn this calling into action. Our Green Team has led the way in making our church more sustainable. The light that shines in our sanctuary is now powered by the sun. Solar panels hum quietly atop our fellowship hall, transforming sunlight into energy, shrinking our carbon footprint, and embodying our belief that the gifts of creation must be received with gratitude and stewarded with care.

Beyond the walls of our church, our commitment to greening Greensky extends into our community. Our recycling and composting initiatives, native planting efforts, educational awareness, and community garden all reflect our belief that the land is ours to nurture, not exploit. We have taken small yet meaningful steps: storm panel windows to preserve energy, HVAC updates to ensure efficiency, LED lights to reduce consumption — all of which are acts of faith and love. In these choices, we affirm that creation care is a lived practice. It is a daily offering of gratitude to the Creator.

And yet, even as we do this work, the signs of ecological crisis surround us: rising waters, disappearing forests, shifting seasons. We cannot ignore what we see. We cannot pretend we do not hear the Earth crying out. The question is: Are we willing to respond? Are we willing to be gathered under the wings of God’s wisdom? Are we willing to turn away from habits of harm, convenience, and shortsightedness — and instead embrace habits of healing? Are we willing to see the land not as something to be used but as kin, something sacred?

Standing next to HVAC unit
Greensky Hill was able to install more energy-efficient heating and cooling units thanks to the Sacred Spaces Clean Energy Grant they received in 2022. ~ photo courtesy Sarah Sheaffer

This Lent, as we prepare our hearts for resurrection, we are invited into a sacred partnership with the Earth. This is our chance to reimagine what it means to live well, to dwell in a way that reflects the deep, abiding love of our Creator. And so, as we approach the Earth Day of Action, let us not only reflect, but let us respond. Here are three ways we can take meaningful action:

    • Reduce Energy Consumption: We can make small but significant changes in our homes, workplaces, and places of worship. For example, we can replace outdated bulbs with LED alternatives, unplug devices when they aren’t in use, and explore renewable energy options like solar power. Each small step is part of a larger movement toward sustainability.
    • Restore and Replenish the Land: Consider taking part in native planting efforts, either through a local community initiative or in your backyard. Native plants support ecosystems, nourish pollinators, and require less maintenance than non-native species. By reintroducing what was meant to be here, we become part of the healing of creation.
    • Advocate and Educate: Creation care is both a personal and a communal responsibility. Learn more about environmental justice, Indigenous teachings on sustainability, and the impact of climate change. Support policies that protect natural resources and advocate for systemic changes that will benefit future generations.

As we walk this Lenten path, may we do so with open hearts and willing hands, remembering that caring for the Earth is caring for one another. May we, like the psalmist, find our strength in God and shine the light of justice, hope, and renewal in all we do.

“Grandfather, look at our brokenness. We know that in all creation, only the human family has strayed from the Sacred Way. We know that we are the ones who are divided, and we are the ones who must come back together to walk the Sacred Way. Grandfather, Sacred One, teach us love, compassion, and honor, that we may heal the earth and heal each other.” — Ojibwe Prayer

Editor’s note: Join United Methodists all over Michigan on Saturday, April 26, for the Earth Day of Action. Worship together online and then plan to do one act of service to care for God’s good creation. Read this article to learn more and to register.

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Last Updated on March 19, 2025

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The Michigan Conference