Outdoor Ministry
The Outdoor Ministry Committee calls people into Creation expecting God’s transformative incarnation. We envision a network of communities meeting God in the outdoors, caring for the environment, and interwoven in Creation together.
We meet every 2nd Thursday at 8pm CST on Zoom. Join us!
Goals for 2025-2027
Ongoing Projects
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Summer Camp Registration
Camp registrations are now open!
Gather at the River: Post-Biennial retreat for families, individuals, and youth groups at Camp Moses Merrill, July 7- 10th
Family "Grandily" Camp: all ages at Camp Tamarack, July 13- 16th
CIT Camp for new leaders at Salamonie Reservoir, July 21- 25th
Youth Camp for ages 6-18 at Camp Mack, July 27th-Aug 2nd
Pastor Camp for church leaders at Siena Retreat Center, Sept 3- 5th
See you out there!
Illinois Climate Action Lobby Day
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
State Capital Building, Springfield, IL
401 S. 2nd St. Springfield, IL 62756
Illinois' environmental movement will gather at the State Capitol to meet with legislators and push for the passage of the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition Platform, which includes legislation that accelerates our climate and equity goals in the transportation, buildings, and power sectors.
Registration is free and open to all
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Disaster Preparedness Toolkit
Climate disasters are increasing in number and severity each year. Congregations who have prepared for disasters are more resilient and able to support the wider community. This toolkit aims to equip congregations to become sanctuaries for their community to meet all kinds of crises.
The first edition of the toolkit will be launched at the 190th Annual Meeting of ABCMC. Register now!
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Power of God: Extractive Theology to Renewable Faith
“Is the power of God informing what kind of energy we are promoting in the world?”
This resource invites churches and individuals to explore the transformative power of God as revealed in creation, scripture, and our response to ecological crises. With seven reflections, it serves as a guide for a week, a seasonal devotional, a retreat program, a camp theme, a sermon series, and more.
Climate Resiliency Cohort
This cohort of ABCMC churches is considering how, as a church community, we can be a healing and proactive presence in the face of the challenges of climate change and extreme weather. alongside Wilderness Journeys and Brugmansia Ministries, church leaders are completing individualized
building and ministry evaluations of the impacts of climate change,
strengthening connections with each other and the created world, and discerning their priorities and strategies for the coming era.
This cohort is by invitation only. Please reach out to the Outdoor Ministry Coordinator for more details.
University Park Water Crisis
Since June 2019, the village of University Park has been plagued with elevated lead levels in the pipes supplying over 7,000 residents with water. This is a moral sin and quite frankly unacceptable. Action is demanded at local and national levels to provide the funds for long-term infrastructural redevelopment to ensure that lead no longer comes into the homes of the fine people of University Park.
On Feb 3, 2018, the Family Council approved a resolution on recommendation of the property and finance committee to approve the sale of the Camp Grow property to the Green Lake Conservancy. Read the full text of this resolution here.