2025 UCC Earth Summit addresses climate change and introduces a new partnership

The United Church of Christ’s third annual Earth Summit was held on Saturday, April 26, 2025. Hosted by Brooks Berndt, minister of Environmental Justice, it was held on Zoom and attended by people around the country. This year’s partner was the South Central Conference and First Congregational Church of Fort Worth, Texas, where there was an in person gathering as well.

The event was kicked off by UCC General Minister and President, the Rev. Karen Georgia Thompson, who quoted Jeremiah 29, verse 11, “Where God says, for surely I know the plans I have for you, plans for your welfare, and not for harm to give you a future with hope.” Thompson said she sees a future with hope in this Earth Summit gathering. “There is shared commitment to helping our communities and our neighbors, including those affected by extreme weather and by pollution, which is especially harmful to children and our elderly populations.”

Listen to nature

The Rev. Arlene Turner, chair of the Board for the South Central Conference spoke next. Turner described watching a family of eagles from a camera focused on their nest in Big Bear Forest. “We gather today, not only for our ourselves, and our denomination, but we gather to live into our covenantal relationship with this eagle family. Let us learn to listen to nature.”

Berndt later announced a new partnership agreement with Creation Justice Ministries, that will expand the UCC’s Creation Justice Church program into an ecumenical program that will be available to over 30 other denominations. “We will be connecting, uniting, and working with other denominations on creation justice like never before. This will also extend to our new Climate Hope affiliates program, which has from the start been ecumenical,” said Berndt.

“At a moment when faithful environmental action is both critical and urgent, it is inspiring to see the body of Christ come together, offering unique gifts in a shared spirit of purpose,” said Avery Davis Lamb, executive director of Creation Justice Ministries. “Through our growing partnership in the Creation Justice Churches program and our joint advocacy efforts, we have an extraordinary opportunity to energize congregations across denominations, amplifying our collective work of healing God’s planet and God’s people. In this Easter season, this partnership is a living sign of resurrection hope—working together for the restoration of creation.”

Isn’t every day Earth Day?

After sharing the Climate Hope art contest winners, the Summit continued with the introduction of the Jim Antel Lecture keynote speaker, climate scientist and author Katharine Hayhoe. Hayhoe posed a question to the audience, “Isn’t every day Earth Day? Don’t we live on this earth every day? Don’t we depend on the air and the water and the resources that this earth provides to us every single day?” She went on to clarify, “The problem is that we have been treating our earth for decades, and even centuries, as if it were flat and infinite. We are using up the earth’s resources 70% faster than they can regenerate.”

Hayhoe broke this down even further, and crystalized the fact that the planet will be orbiting the sun long after we are gone. “This is quite literally about saving us,” she offered. She encouraged all listening to act, and to hold politicians accountable. Hayhoe concluded, “We have been given a spirit of power to act, of love and of care for others…so if this is what we have, what are we waiting for?” She then took some questions from those gathered.

Burwell award winner announced

The Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award was then introduced. Burwell herself joined in the celebration. This year’s winner is the Asylum Hill Congregational Church in Hartford, Connecticut.

Offering hope

The Summit then featured a panel discussion entitled “Climate Justice in a Toxic World.” Three grassroots leaders in the struggle against environmental racism in the Dallas-Fort Worth area spoke: Dr. Marsha Jackson from Southern Sector Rising, Caleb Roberts from Downwinders at Risk, and Emmanual Davis from Justice for Joppa.  Hosted by Michael Slatterly, a member of the First Congregational Church of Fort Worth, he introduced each of the panelists and allowed them to share their stories, then took questions from the audience. The panel discussed ways they have fought to bring environmental change to their communities, and how each has made a difference while working with their local politicians and city councils, offering hope to others.

Berndt announced that the speaker for the monthly webinar on May 14 will be Charles Lee, the lead author of a landmark UCC report on toxic waste and race in the United States. “A Relentless Struggle for Justice” will take place at 1 p.m. Eastern, and you can register here.

Berndt then thanked the United Church Funds and Cornerstone Fund for being sponsors, as well as the hosts there in Texas.

You can view the entire Summit here:

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