December 2024 Blog
Pastoral Care for Climate Retrospective: Steve Pardini
For Steve Pardini, member of Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, climate change work and caring for creation are directly linked to faith. As he sees it, “stewardship calls for responsible dominion over the earth, justice demands advocacy for those most vulnerable to climate impacts, and peacemaking addresses violence and conflict fueled by climate change.”
Steve credits Anabaptist Climate Collaborative’s programs with deepening his focus on eco-spirituality and shaping his path towards climate action. Holding a PhD in physical chemistry and Master’s of Divinity, Steve’s career path and calling have moved from sciences to ministry.
In 2023, Steve joined ACC’s year-long Pastoral Care for Climate cohort learning program which convened congregational leaders from 17 churches through retreats, shared study and virtual meetings.
Conversations, questions, and learnings from the cohort provided the groundwork for his ongoing, active climate advocacy. Steve catalyzed discussion within his congregation on reducing carbon emissions, which ultimately led to a church solar project—funded through $80,000 in donations and supported by an LLCs. This effort has reduced carbon emissions by over 92,000 kilograms of CO2 (the equivalent of taking 21 cars off the road for a year)! Steve worked with the HMC Creation Care team to create a bio-diverse campus of native trees and shrubs. Eight hundred trees have been planted with the goal of 1,500 to beautify the campus, create a place for prayer, meditation, and fellowship, and help sequester carbon.
Steve is also living out his commitment by preaching, working with students, and developing an adult Sunday School curriculum.
Your generous gifts fund ACC programs that engage and develop emerging Anabaptist climate leaders, making it possible for us to support journeys like Steve Pardini’s! Thank you for being a part of a community fostering faith-based climate action.
Some of the 800 trees planted in Harrisonburg, VA as part of a project organized by Steve Pardini.
Hans Hut Holiday Hat
The Hans Hut Holiday Hat giving campaign continues through the holidays. We have begun drawing names and contacting winners (congratulations to our Week 1-3 winners!).
Want a chance to win a hat? This campaign runs through the end of the month of December. One winner will be selected for each week of the month. Donate today for a chance to win!
MCUSA Book Study: So We and Our Children May Live by Sarah Augustine and Sheri Hostetler
Join MCUSA in imagining a sustainable future for ourselves, our children, and our planet by participating in an online book study of the compelling and timely book, "So We and Our Children May Live" by Sarah Augustine and Sheri Hostetler. Drawing from Scripture, science, Indigenous wisdom, and personal stories, the authors invite us to open our hearts and our culture to deep, Spirit-led transformation.
This book study will be five sessions led by MC USA's Climate Justice Coordinator Karla Stoltzfus Detweiler. During these sessions, we will engage in discussions in both large and small groups, interact with the authors, and explore how we—and our communities—are called to contribute to creating a more just and vibrant world.
Success: Energy Permitting Reform Act blocked
Our partners at Mennonite Central Committee have noted that, following months of advocacy from environmental organizations and faith-based groups about the environmental justice and emissions concerns in the Energy Permitting Reform Act, the legislation was not included in an end-of-year spending package. Thank you for taking action on this issue! We will continue to push for just and sustainable climate legislation in 2025.
