GIPL Mourns the Loss of Beth Bond - Creation Care Champion

by Rev. Kate McGregor MosleyLast week, GIPL lost a dear friend, and the world lost a bright light. Beth Bond died suddenly in her home on July 30, 2020. The environmental community, as well as a vast church network, is mourning this tragic loss. For decades, Beth was a steadfast champion for Creation care, through her local church work in addition to her volunteer service at GIPL and beyond. Her most recent work was with the United Methodist Women and as an organizer with the Evangelical Environmental Network. “Beth Bond was a powerful voice in the United Methodist Creation Care community. When others felt overwhelmed by environmental sustainability challenges, Beth drew people toward opportunities to create accessible, meaningful change,” remembers Rev. Jenny Phillips, a member of GIPL’s Advisory Council and employed as the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries’ Senior Advisor for Sustainability.Beth began working with GIPL in the early years when she was active in a Decatur Baptist church and had just launched Southeast Green, one of the best news sources for all things sustainability in our region. Beth was always good at showing up. She seemed to be at every event on religion and sustainability, and she could work the room like no other, with her warm smile and infectious laughter. This got her noticed by GIPL leadership, and Beth was invited to join GIPL’s Board of Directors in 2011.Beth served several terms in varying capacity until 2017. During her tenure, she was helpful in immense ways with event planning and online communications. Beth loved to bring people together and thus, could throw a good party. If you ever attended a GIPL event prior to 2017, you can bet Beth had something to do with that gracious Southern hospitality you received while there.Rev. Phillips remarked, “Deep faith grounded her activism and inspired her friends and colleagues to engage their faith through tangible action. We are all going to need to step up our work to carry on her legacy.”The GIPL family echoes this sentiment and celebrates Beth’s life that stretched our mission and expanded the GIPL network in meaningful ways. Especially right now, our prayers are with her family that includes both of her parents and nieces and nephews, to whom she was so deeply devoted. Learn more about her incredible life of service here.Beth was part of the first class of Global Ministries EarthKeepers, a ministry that equips United Methodists to develop environmental projects in their communities. Her family has recommended that donations in her honor be given to support this program.  Click here to make a donation.