As part of the Southeastern Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church's Caring for Creation conference, we staged our own Step it Up! photo on the shore of beautiful Lake Junaluska. The conference centered on the need for people of faith to "step it up" as we work for justice for all of God's creation, and we were eager to extend that call to our elected officials.

Although initially, most attendees did not know about the "Step It Up" campaign, our purpose for gathering for the weekend could not have matched more closely with the campaign's goals. We met for workshops and presentations about climate change, creation care and social justice and how we, as Methodists, can effect change for the glory of God and the earth that he called us to responsibly steward.

Although initially, most attendees did not know about the "Step It Up" campaign, our purpose for gathering for the weekend could not have matched more closely with the campaign's goals. We met for workshops and presentations about climate change, creation care and social justice and how we, as Methodists, can effect change for the glory of God and the earth that he called us to responsibly steward.