July 30, 2024
Sandy Plett, Climate Action Coordinator for Mennonite Church Canada loves the FCC – here’s why!
In March of 2021 I stumbled across For the Love of Creation’s website and was immediately smitten. The screen announced to me, “the most important thing you can do about the climate crisis is to talk about it.” I was guided to the Faithful Climate Conversation Guides and fell in love.
The invitation from For the Love of Creation to take up the work of “Faithful Climate Conversation” (FCC) came at the perfect time for me. I was looking for some authentic “Sandy-friendly” way to use my gifts and get involved in climate action in my community. Leading conversation and gathering people is my jam, so I dove right in.
After leading about 7 or 8 formal climate conversations in local church settings here in Southern Manitoba, and promoting them every chance I get, I have a few thoughts to share.
1. It’s scary to stick your neck out and say you’re climate concerned, but there are others around you (guaranteed) just waiting for someone like you to show up, and together you can be braver!
2. Conversation may be the most important thing we can do not because it’s all we need to do, but because it’s a first step, a “next right thing.”
3. You don’t have to be an expert to lead these conversations. In fact, being part of a group of co-learners can make your leadership much more accessible than approaching as an expert with all the answers. That said, experts are WELCOME! Lead with compassion and curiosity and you can’t go wrong.
4. The FCC will not take you where you expect it to. I’m starting to see that the goals we quickly set at the end of the FCC are usually great visions, but the more holistic, thoughtful and enduring changes occur over time and in community.
So my new hope for the FCC is this – that people will emerge:
1. Conversant – having begun to gain vocabulary to express themselves and listen to others with regards to the climate crisis
2. Curious – ready to dig in and learn more about where they can use their lives for the good of future generations; taking into consideration their own gifts, that which gives them joy in the doing, and that which needs to get done.
3. Connected to community – The FCC provides a chance to share vulnerably and to dream together with others. We are more resilient, creative and hopeful when we join our energies to those of others. There’s a reason these are “conversations” and not simply another handbook to read. “Together” is the modality that allows us to take action!
My challenge to you? Take a chance and invite some friends to work through an FCC together. Laugh, cry, get angry and be blessed by the good gift of moving through these things in the company of others – and if the spirit is upon you to take the FCC to the streets (or at least to another group or two!) go for it!
Tags: Faithful Climate Conversations, FCC