"God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good." - Genesis 1:31
The Ohio Episcopal Area Green Church Movement seeks to equip, empower, and encourage Ohio congregations to care for God’s creation by making their properties and programs more environmentally friendly. As Jesus followers and United Methodists, we are charged with caring for God's good creation, a task inextricably linked to the greatest commandments: Love God with all of your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.
The Ohio Episcopal Area's Green Church Movement is a process that invites churches to start where they are - whether that's introducing a recycling program, planting a community garden, or putting solar panels on the church's roof! Find where your church fits below:
- Take the Green Church Pledge
- Apply for a Green Church Mini Grant
- Attend a Green Church Training
- Earn Green Church Certification!
Green Church Pledge
The Ohio Episcopal Area Green Church Pledge is the first step in the process of becoming a certified Green Church. More importantly, the Green Church Pledge (available here) indicates a church's commitment to evaluating current policies and implementing more environmentally sustainable practices. For example, a church that uses disposable cups for its coffee hour could introduce reusable mugs instead. With the pledge, a church commits to taking two "green" actions within one year: 1.) Completing a sustainability audit (no cost, form provided here); and 2.) Choosing one "green" project to complete. Projects can be simple, easy, and low-cost! The church also pledges to complete the Green Church Training (more below). The Green Church Pledge must be signed by both the Pastor and the Chair of the church's Trustees/Leadership Team/Green Team.
Green Church Mini Grants
Green Church Mini Grants provide limited funding for a church's "green" projects such as recycling or composting programs; native plants for a pollinator garden; an Earth Day event; or installing energy efficient light bulbs. In order to receive funding, churches must sign the Green Church Pledge and complete a sustainability audit (both provided below). Each grant will supply $100-$750 for a green project. Grant applications typically are available in the fall. This step is not required for Green Church Certification.
Green Church Training
The Green Church Training provides a solid foundation for moving your church toward green solutions. The training includes Biblical, Wesleyan, and United Methodist teachings on creation care; tips for forming a Green Team at your church; and plenty of ideas and suggestions for creative ways to green your church - plus time to plan and dream with your church team! Required for Green Church Certification, the training should be attended by at least two people from each church (either two lay or one lay, one clergy). After completing the training, churches are encouraged to take their next step toward environmental sustainability. Cost of the in-person training is $50 for a church team of two people (additional church members are welcome to attend at $10 per person). Online training costs $40 per church. Scholarships are available for churches with financial need.
Green Church Certification
Earning Green Church Certification means that your congregation is continually improving the ways in which you interact with God's creation. In addition to signing the Green Church Pledge and sustainability audit, submitting a Pledge Project report, and attending the Green Church Training, your church will complete a certification project, plus commit to completing the sustainability audit and at least one green project each year. The goal is to make environmental sustainability a part of your church's policies and priorities, from what you buy to how you eat (and we know United Methodists love to eat!). The forms below will help you document your progress, and once your church has completed all of the steps, you will be recognized on stage during the Annual Conference awards ceremony.
Questions? Email Mariellyn Grace at mgrace@wocumc.org.
The Ohio Episcopal Area is excited to present the first VIRTUAL Green Church Training for local churches, coming Sunday, September 28, from 4:00-7:00pm on Zoom. Green Church Training provides a solid foundation for moving your church toward green solutions. The training includes Biblical, Wesleyan, and United Methodist resources for creation care; tips for forming a Green Team at your church; and plenty of ideas and suggestions for creative ways to green your church - plus time to plan and dream with your church team! The training should be attended by at least two people from each church (either two lay or one lay, one clergy). After completing the training, churches are invited to either create a Green Team (if they do not already have one) or complete a green project at their church. Cost of the virtual training is $40 per church. Scholarships are available for churches with financial need. One participant from each church should register for the whole team; that person will be responsible for passing along information to the other team member(s). For more information, contact mgrace@wocumc.org.
The West Ohio Conference is excited to present the first Green Church Training for local churches, coming Sunday, February 23, from 4:00-7:00pm at the Urban Farm Church, 3901 Maize Road, Columbus. Green Church Training provides a solid foundation for moving your church toward green solutions. The training includes Biblical, Wesleyan, and United Methodist teachings on creation care; tips for forming a Green Team at your church; and plenty of ideas and suggestions for creative ways to green your church - plus time to plan and dream with your church team! The training must be attended by at least two people from each church (either two lay or one lay, one clergy). After completing the training, churches will either create a Green Team (if they do not already have one) or complete a green project at their church. Cost of the training is $50 for a church team of two people (additional church members are welcome to attend at $10 per person). Scholarships are available for churches with financial need. Please register all participants from your church at the same time. For more information, contact mgrace@wocumc.org.
As one category of the West Ohio GO! Grants, Green Church Mini Grants provide limited funding for a church's "green" projects such as recycling or composting programs; native plants for a pollinator garden; an Earth Day event; or installing energy-efficient light bulbs.
To be approved for funding, churches will sign the Green Church Pledge, complete a sustainability audit, and commit to attending Green Church Training. Each grant will supply $100-$750 for a green project, and recipients will be recognized at the Bishop's GO! Awards in February. To apply, complete the GO! Grant application here: https://www.westohioumc.org/2026-go-grants.
Applications are due September 30. Questions can be directed to Mariellyn Grace, Director of Mission Engagement, at mgrace@wocumc.org.
The Ohio Episcopal Area is excited to present the first VIRTUAL Green Church Training for local churches, Sunday, September 28, from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm on Zoom. Green Church Training provides a solid foundation for moving your church toward green solutions.
The training includes Biblical, Wesleyan, and United Methodist resources for creation care; tips for forming a Green Team at your church; and plenty of ideas and suggestions for creative ways to green your church - plus time to plan and dream with your church team!
Each church should have at least two people attend the training, either two lay members or one lay member and one clergy. After completing the training, churches are encouraged to either form a Green Team (if they haven't already) or undertake a green project at their church. The virtual training costs $40 per church; scholarships are available for those who qualify. One participant from each church should register for the whole team; that person will be responsible for passing along information to the other team member(s).
Click here to register.
For more information, contact mgrace@wocumc.org.
Do you have a vision for a new ministry or church? Is your church looking to revitalize? Sign up for a time and date for your district to meet with Brad and Terri to share your ideas and dreams. We will share how the conference can support you.
For West Ohio, there are 5 time slots available for each location which is centrally located in your district. [9:30am, 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm, 3:30pm] If one of those times doesn't work for you, please send us an email and we can work something else out. Click on the day and location that works for you and you will be directed to a sign-up sheet.
"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland..." ~ Isaiah 43:19
WEST OHIO LISTENING SESSIONS
OLENTANGY RIVER DISTRICT
Mon, 9.15.25 | Linworth UMC, 7070 Bent Tree Blvd, Columbus
WESTERN LAKES DISTRICT
Tues, 9.16.25 | Shawnee UMC, 2600 Zurmehly Rd, Lima
MAUMEE RIVER DISTRICT
Tues, 9.23.25 | Bowling Green First UMC, 1526 E Wooster St, Bowling Green
HOCKING RIVER DISTRICT
Wed, 9.24.25 | Athens First UMC, 2 S. College St, Athens
SCIOTO RIVER DISTRICT
Tues, 10.14.25 | Greenfield First UMC, 405 South St, Greenfield
GREAT MIAMI RIVER DISTRICT
Wed, 10.15.25 | Church of the Saviour UMC, 8005 Pfeiffer Rd, Montgomery
GREENHOUSE - VERSION ESPANOL
Wed, 9.17.25 | Zoom [9:30am, 10:30am or 11:30am]
EAST OHIO LISTENING SESSIONS
What is the Greenhouse?
Greenhouse is an intense leadership development initiative designed to equip current and future church leaders with the foundational qualities necessary for effective ministry. Unlike a rigid, step-by-step guide to church planting, Greenhouse focuses on the essential principles of leadership that have proven successful in various ministry contexts. This program is about cultivating the skills, mindsets, and spiritual disciplines that will prepare you for success, whether you are planting a new church or strengthening an existing one.
Over a five month period, you will delve into topics that have been distilled from studying fruitful church plants in West Ohio and beyond. Our prayer is that, by the end of this journey, you will emerge as a stronger, more effective leader, ready to apply what you have learned in your current or future ministry.
Our next Greenhouse Leader Development session begins in February 2026. We will also be starting a Greenhouse in Spanish at the same time.
If you have a new idea or something you want to talk about, sign up for a listening session coming up in all districts across Ohio beginning in September 2025. Click here for West Ohio Listening Sessions.
To see the fruit that has come from our Greenhouse Leaders, click here to see our New Church Starts.
Another opportunity to join a GHX Cohort begins this summer on July 14, 2023! GHX is a new approach to revitalization, bridging your established church to those in your community. In the GHX Cohorts clergy and laity teams are trained to dream new ideas for new ministries to connect with people outside the walls of the church. GHX Cohorts last three months. There is an in-person opening meeting, three coaching sessions via zoom, an in-person closing meeting, followed by a final zoom coaching call.
What are people saying about their experience from the GHX Cohorts?
“Our goal is to make connections in the community, and we are doing it!” ~ Rev. Linda Ward, Bremen UMC
“Our church is continually looking at ways to be out in the community. I don’t believe this would have happened had we not been a part of a GHX Cohort.” ~ Rev. Ruth Carter-Crist, Pandor UMC and Gilboa UMC
“Because of our GHX, I see people who haven’t had some hope or dignity in a long time while we sit down and eat with them. When you give time to someone and actually listen, something happens inside of them.” ~ Rev. Karl Penn, Fort McKinley UMC
It’s time to take church to the people! We encourage teams of 3-4 to register together. (pastor + 2-3 laity).
What is GHX? GHX is Greenhouse Expressions.
GHX is West Ohio's new incubator and virtual training open to all clergy and laity teams with new ideas for new ministries to connect with people outside the walls of the church. GHX is a new approach to revitalization, bridging your established church to those in your community. GHX is a 5-month cohort for clergy and laity teams, including:
- Quality training with West Ohio’s GHX Practitioners
- Opening Virtual Session TBD from 9am - noon
- Closing Virtual Session TBD from 9am - noon
- Four Zoom Coaching Calls to help you and your team develop the GHX
- All are welcome! We encourage a team of 3-4 (Pastor + 2-3 Laity)
- $75 per person for West Ohio churches | $100 per person for all others. Fee covers resources and coaching.
If you are ready to take the next step, outside the walls of the church, contact Brad Aycock at bradaycock@wocumc.org or Terri McClain at tmcclain@wocumc.org!
Greenhouse Leader Development/Semillero de Lideres is an immersive leader development designed to equip current and future church leaders and entrepreneurs with the foundational qualities necessary for birthing sustainable new faith communities.
Please mark these 5 session dates on your calendar. These sessions cannot be made up.
- Thurs, February 12, 2026 | Session 1 @ Iglesia Hispana St Marks, 5200 Sullivant Ave, Columbus
- Thurs, March 12, 2026 | Session 2 @ Resurrection Mason, 6315 S Montgomery Rd, Mason
- Sat, March 28, 2026 | Session 3 @ Garfield Memorial, 3650 Lander Rd, Cleveland
- Thurs, April 16, 2026 | Session 4 @ East Ohio Conference, 8800 Cleveland Ave NW, North Canton
- Thurs, May 14, 2026 | Session 5 @ West Ohio Conference, 32 Wesley Blvd, Worthington
Each session will run from 8:30am - 7pm. Food will be provided for you.
In between each session will be a 1 hour zoom where we will have a book discussion on the book Sent to Flourish by Len Tang and Charles E. Cotherman.
After you register, you will be sent a link where you can purchase the book, Sent to Flourish, along with information to make travel and hotel arrangements if you need to.
Cost:
- Free - West Ohio and East Ohio laity and clergy
- $1200/person for all Non-Ohio laity and clergy