"As people of God, it’s critically important that we become real stewards of the creation. And by being stewards of the creation, and by honoring our relationship with God, we must honor our relationship with each other. To that end, we have a responsibility to each other in order to live out the integrity of creation."
Linda Jaramillo
Executive Minister
Justice and Witness Minister
The United Church of Christ
Since 1959, the United Church of Christ has recognized our call to be stewards of God’s ever-evolving creation, as is evidenced by the Second General Synod resolution that was a “call to Christian action in society, ‘includeing a call for conservation and development of the Earth’s resources for the benefit of all people now and in the future.”
The UCC continues to recognize such a call with the Collegium of Officers’ April 8th release of “And Indeed it is Very Good – A pastoral Letter on Faith and Environment: Living in Community with God’s Creation.”
Resources:
The Almost Everything You Need to Know about Environmental Justice booklet briefly outlines and explains the environmental justice movement, focusing on the UCC's environmental justice and racism contributions. As the title evidences, this booklet offers merely a taste of the environmental justice movement and is by no means exhaustive. It is available in Spanish and English, and it may be ordered for $5 by calling 866.822.8224, ext. 3714
Or Download the printable PDF here: English : En Español
The Toxic Wastes and Race and Toxic Wastes and Race at Twenty reports are the landmark study and follow-up study that demonstrated a direct correlation between the placement of toxic waste facilities and communitites of poverty and/or color. This first report was the ground breaking study from which the term "environmental racism" was coined. Today, legislation and court cases refer to this term when addressing environenmental issues of race and discrimination. Hard copies of both reports bay be ordered from United Church of Christ Resources. Cost is free plus shipping & handling. Order the complete set through UCCR at 800.537.3396.
The Toxic Wastes and Race at Twenty is available in Printable PDF form below:
Complete Report
Contents and Summary
Introduction
Chapter 1: Environmental Justice in the Twenty First Century
Chapter 2: Environmental Justice Timeline/Milestones 1987-2007
Chapter 3: Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities in the Distribution of Environmental Hazards
Chapter 4: A Current Appraisal of Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States - 2007
Chapter 5: Impact of the Toxic Wastes and Race on the EJ Movement
Chapter 6: Wrong Complexion for Protection
Chapter 7: The "Poster Child" for Environmental Racism in 2007: Dickson, Tennessee
Chapter 8: Conclusions and Recommendations
Environmental and Energy Task Force
Along with the above resources, there are two reports prepared by the UCC Environmental and Energy Task Force (EETF). The first report, Report to the 26th General Synod of the United Church of Christ Energy and Climate Work Group, addresses the next fifty years of sustaining our faith and promoting peace and justice while using resources wisely to care for creation.
The second report, The United Church of Christ: Toward a national Environmental Focus Report to the General Synod XXVI in Hartford, Connecticut 2007, addresses two resolutions drafted by the General Synod XXV in Atlanta, GA 2005. The intention of the resolutions is for the UCC, via the EETF, to "promote and support active and ongoing ministries for the education and mobilization of the faithful for environmental protection, eco-justice and sustainable development." Both reports are available in printable PDF format through our friends at United Church of Christ EcoAction.
Please visit our friends at
United Church of Christ EcoAction
