Putting Faith into Action on Climate
We find ourselves in the midst of ongoing climate and environmental justice crises. The future sometimes seems uncertain and even frightening. Yet as people of faith, we are called to heed prophetic voices and fight for a livable planet.
It is in action that hope is found. As the Israelites confronted the challenges of their time, the prophet Jeremiah passed along God’s message: Your labor is not in vain. There is hope for your future (Jeremiah 31:17).
Climate Hope Cards
Right now, the United Church of Christ is putting faith into action through a yearlong campaign called Climate Hope Cards. Through this effort, UCC congregations will collect thousands of postcards to pressure the EPA to take the action our country so desperately needs to move toward our country toward carbon-free electricity by 2035. Sign-up now to be part of this exciting effort!
This Is Who We Are: Environmental Justice in Action
The central commitment of Christians to care for God’s creation has found unique expression in the life of the United Church of Christ. Leaders from the UCC were integral to the launch of the environmental justice movement in the 1980s with its pioneering focus on environmental racism.
Through General Synod resolutions, we have repeatedly stepped forward to lead the way as people of faith on critical matters such fossil fuel divestment, mountaintop removal, and the Green New Deal. Today, congregations throughout the country have answered our first calling as Christians in tending to God’s creation by becoming Creation Justice Churches. Through webinars, newsletters, reports, and more, we stay connected and informed. Learn more about our denomination’s Environmental Justice Ministries!
Why We Are Called to Climate Action
One could argue that all of us have a self-interest in doing everything we can to fight climate change. As Christians, however, we are called beyond our individual lives to love our neighbor and to care for all of God’s creation. To be in right relationship with our neighbors and God’s creation is ultimately at the heart of being in right relationship with God. To put it more succinctly, when we talk about what it means to be in right relationship we are talking about justice. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to put justice into action.
Today, justice takes many different and interconnected forms. We see this especially in the climate crisis. The burdens of pollution do not fall on everyone equally. Climate-related disasters do not affect everyone the same. Race, poverty, and other societal inequities all play a role in who currently suffers the most and who faces the greatest impending dangers. Often those who have contributed the least to climate change are those who are impacted the greatest.
Learn more about the call for prophetic action today. We have the power to bring about the change the world needs now.
Climate Crisis Handbook
The urgency of the climate crisis requires that we act as if our cathedrals and churches are on fire. Indeed, God’s creation can be seen as one grand cathedral on fire with burning forests and rising temperatures. Amid this dire situation, Brooks Berndt focuses our attention on the unique and vitally needed gifts that churches can offer through this handbook for the climate crisis.