Sacred Stories: Faith in Action at Scott Memorial United Methodist Church

On Detroit’s Westside, the congregation of Scott Memorial United Methodist Church is taking bold steps to transform their community and care for God’s creation. Faced with persistent illegal trash dumping behind their church, this predominantly Black congregation is turning challenge into opportunity—pairing faith, environmental education, and collective action to create a cleaner, safer, and more resilient neighborhood.

For years, Scott Memorial has been a home for many, especially its youth and elders. As a church deeply rooted in love and community care, members have long been concerned about pollution in their neighborhood. Illegal dumping not only mars the landscape but threatens the health and dignity of the community. Determined to respond, Scott Memorial joined the Thriving Earth Exchange to identify sustainable, cost-effective solutions for waste management and to launch an environmental education initiative that empowers neighbors to act.

Through this collaboration, the church is researching barriers to proper waste disposal and exploring creative solutions—from potential waste-to-energy opportunities to partnerships with the City of Detroit’s beautification project. The team plans to share their findings through infographics, educational materials, and community clean-up events, inspiring residents to protect their shared spaces and honor the land around them.

This work is being led by an intergenerational team:

• Cydnee Harris, a Spelman College student passionate about environmental justice and clean energy education,
• Joshua K. Matthews, affectionately known as “Mr. Scott,” who has served the church in nearly every capacity,
• Lisa Nguyen, a University of Michigan PhD student studying the effects of global warming on vulnerable communities,
• Delanie Lowe, a communications designer dedicated to visual storytelling about environmental justice,
• Dr. Lily Hahn, a NOAA Climate and Global Change Fellow, serving as Community Science Fellow.​ ​​​

Cydnee Harris

Joshua Matthews

Lisa Nguyen

Delanie Lowe

Dr. Lily Hahn

Together, these leaders are creating a model for how faith communities can combine science, storytelling, and stewardship to spark lasting change. Supported by Creation Justice Ministries, the project connects theology and environmental action—showing how congregations can take concrete steps to live out their call to creation care.

When complete, Scott Memorial hopes to share its resources with other United Methodist congregations across Greater Detroit, expanding this ripple of faithful resilience. Their story reminds us that environmental justice begins at home—and that every act of care, no matter how local, contributes to the renewal of creation.