Planning Committee 

Hope for Creation’s event planning and coordination occurs primarily at monthly Planning Committee meetings.  That’s where participants find support, networking, and company in our concerns, where ideas get shared and refined, where our task teams report and solicit assistance, and where our various efforts find their beginnings.  Membership in this group is very loose and informal; anyone who shows up will have a place at the table and a voice in the conversation. The Planning Committee meets monthly on the second Thursday in the evening. The meeting rotates around to various faith communities, so if you are interested in attending sometime, please email [email protected] for time and location.

Upcoming meetings:

2024: Nov. 14, Dec. 12

2025: Jan. 9, Feb. 13, March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12

 

Leadership Team

The Leadership Team consists of eight individuals who guide the organization in major decision-making and strategic vision. The Leadership Team currently includes the following individuals:

 

Ruth Moerdyk serves as pastor of Skyridge Church of the Brethren, in Kalamazoo, and has previously served congregations in Ohio, Iowa, and Michigan. In addition to her pastoral position and her volunteer work with Hope for Creation she serves on Kalamazoo County’s Climate Action and Climate Justice Plan Advisory Council. Past volunteer experience includes working with unhoused people in a day shelter in Chicago and involvement in interfaith organizations in Chicago IL, Dayton, OH and Kalamazoo, MI. Her professional experience also includes several assistantships and part-time instructor positions in WMU’s Department of English and three years working for a market research firm in the Chicago area. She holds a BA in religion (Kalamazoo College), an MA in English (WMU) and an MDIV (Chicago Theological Seminary). 
   

 

 

Steve Bertman is an atmospheric organic chemist and professor in the School of Environment, Geography, and Sustainability at Western Michigan University. He currently chairs the WMU Climate Change Working Group and teaches several courses related to climate change and environmental sciences, including a class in regenerative agriculture. Steve is a member of Temple B'Nai Israel in Kalamazoo where he chairs their Green Team, and he also sits on the coordinating committee of the Kalamazoo Climate Crisis Coalition. Steve has been active in Hope for Creation since its founding.
   
   
   
  Susanne Rose is a member of First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo, MI, where she is the coordinator of the Earth Care Team. She earned her B.A. from Harvard University; after working as Executive Director of the Little Traverse Conservancy, she earned her J.D. from George Washington University, and practiced law in Washington, D.C. emphasizing tax-exempt charitable organizations, and in southeast Michigan emphasizing real estate and general business law, with significant volunteer work for land conservation organizations. She spearheaded and coordinated a successful application to obtain a $1.9M grant from the State of Michigan to create a 390 acre natural area in Livingston County. Currently she remains active with Kalamazoo Citizens Climate Lobby as well as Hope for Creation.  
   
 

David Reinhold retired in 2020 from Western Michigan University after serving 15 years as a professor in the chemistry department and 12 years in administration as the Associate Provost of Assessment and Undergraduate Studies. He is a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Portage, MI and has served as church treasurer for the past 6 years. As a member of Prince of Peace, he was recently involved in a project that resulted in the construction of a 90 solar panel array designed to reduce both the church’s energy bills and carbon footprint. Dave joined Hope for Creation in 2021 and has served on the Leadership Team for the past year.
   
 

 

Stephanie Diep: Stephanie is a Conservational Analyst for the Kalamazoo Nature Center specialized in native plantings and invasive species management. She is an active member at Milwood United Methodist Church where she educates and encourages congregation members to get involved with environmental and climate action including starting a community garden, leading book studies and information sessions, and more. She joined Hope for Creation in 2023 and quickly dedicated herself to the group helping with event planning, strategic planning, etc.