United Church of Christ

Climate Hope Cards Prayer Service
2023-08-07 13:30 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Join us for a brief online prayer service as we enter into the final week of collecting Climate Hope Cards to deliver to Washington, DC in September. Climate Hope Cards is an effort to strengthen EPA protections so that we might save thousands of lives, address societal inequities, and put our nation on track to reach its climate goals. UCC churches and camps across the country have been participating in this campaign over the course of the summer. The prayer service will feature interns and fellows who have been devoting time and energy to collecting cards. They will share with us moments in which they have experienced or witnessed hope over the past few months. All are welcome to join us!

The Climate Strike Movement 5 Years Later
2023-09-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Five years have now passed from when Greta Thunberg and soon others went on strike from school to launch a movement that expanded and reverberated around the world. The movement continues as organizers prepare for the March to End Fossil Fuels in New York City on September 17th. This webinar will feature organizers and activists who will reflect back on the movement and where we are today. The Rev. Jim Antal has recently written a new chapter for his popular book “Climate Church, Climate World” that is entitled, “Trump, Biden, Greta—Years of Upheaval, 2018-2022.” Aly Tharp is the Senior Organizer for GreenFaith and is currently organizing faith communities in support of the September 17th march. Gabriela Martinez is an organizer for the Franciscan Action Network and is also mobilizing support for the march. Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

From Greenwashing to Environmental Justice
2023-11-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The United Nations Charter declares that one of its central mandates is “to employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples.” Despite this, the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) transparently reveals a process that has become dominated by fossil fuel interests rather than the interests of all peoples. The President of COP28 is Sultan Al Jaber, the CEO of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company which is one of the world’s largest oil producers and is currently working to aggressively expand its production. In this webinar, panelists will not only provide a critical assessment of the greenwashing and corporate capture of the upcoming COP, but they will also cast an alternative vision and pathway forward. Ultimately, the world deserves and desperately needs a UN process dedicated to the advancement of all peoples. Justice must be central not only to COP pronouncements but also to its actions.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-sponsored by Alabama Interfaith Power & Light, the People’s Justice Council, United Church Funds, and the United Church of Christ.

Primary Season: Prioritizing Climate Solutions
2024-01-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
In reference to the prospects of progressive candidates in 2024, recent headlines have highlighted a “waning enthusiasm” among Black, Hispanic, and young voters. Among voters concerned about the climate crisis, dissatisfaction and anger have arisen as fossil fuel projects in Alaska and Appalachia move forward. In this webinar, we will focus on what can be done to create the momentum needed for champions of climate justice to be elected into office. We will look at how climate solutions can be prioritized in the primaries, so that policies in accord with environmental justice values can be advanced.
Our featured webinar guests include:

Lashelle Johnson, State Equity Policy Director, League of Conservation Voters
Saul Levin, Legislative and Political Director, Green New Deal Network
Wanda Mosley, National Field Director, Black Voters Matter Fund

Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it. This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Black History: Unsung Heroes of the Environmental Justice Movement
2024-02-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Livestream
For Black History Month, we will celebrate past environmental justice leaders and their historic contributions to the movement. We will lift up and reflect upon the lives of these champions for justice: Dana Alston, Cecil Corbin-Mark, Hazel Johnson, Patsy Oliver, Gloria Roberts, Damu Smith, Emelda West, and Margaret Williams. To fully appreciate their impact and legacy, we will hear from those in the movement who knew them. Featured speakers will include:

Robert Bullard, Executive Director, Bullard Center for Environmental and Climate Justice, and Distinguished Professor of Urban Planning and Environmental Policy, Texas Southern University
Cheryl Johnson, Executive Director, People for Community Recovery
Vernice Miller-Travis, Executive Vice President, Metropolitan Group -Peggy Shepard, Executive Director, WE ACT for Environmental Justice
Beverly Wright, Executive Director, Deep South Center for Environmental Justice

Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Climate Action Assembly
2024-03-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The UCC Council for Climate Justice will be hosting a Climate Action Assembly to hear updates on the three endeavors launched for this year: the Freedom from Plastics Campaign, the Electrification Checklist Initiative, and the Vote for Climate Hope Campaign. Each of these programs is rooted in recent General Synod resolutions. Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC.

How Long Till Justice?: Flint, Jackson, and Red Hill
2024-03-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
In April, the 10th anniversary of the water crisis in Flint, Michigan will be marked. Yet, justice, in many forms and by many measures, has remained elusive. For instance, not a penny of the $626 million settlement has been distributed to residents. Just as the struggle for justice in Flint continues, so it also continues in other communities that have experienced water crises. In recent headlines, we learn of how large corporations exploited and deceived towns like Jackson, Mississippi with false promises of fixing their water infrastructure. Meanwhile, the EPA continues to find water contamination in homes near the US Navy’s Red Hill Bulk Fuel Storage Facility on Oʻahu as health problems persist and residents battle with landlords over rent collection. This webinar will focus on what justice would look like in Flint, Jackson, and the communities near Red Hill. We will also focus on what it will take to achieve that justice. Our webinar will feature residents and leaders from each of the three communities.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Earth Sunday Resource: Addressing the Plastics Crisis
2024-04-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Livestream
Everywhere we look in our culture you will find plastic. It surrounds our food, it makes up our technology, and it is a standard element in our household items. Unfortunately, it is also overflowing from our landfills, floating in our waters, and polluting our soil. More and more, you can even find it in our own bodies and those of other living creatures. Creation Justice Ministries has created an Earth Sunday resource designed to help congregations think more deeply about the ways that plastics impact our lives and God’s creation. It is also intended to equip people of faith to take actions to address this epidemic in faithful and practical ways. The title of this new resource is “Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in a Synthetic World.” Join us as we hear from the lead author of the resource Derrick Weston.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

2024 UCC Annual Earth Summit
2024-04-20 13:00 - 15:00
The UCC’s second annual Earth Summit will feature celebrated author and activist Bill McKibben delivering the Jim Antal Keynote Lecture with the title, “Energy from Heaven or Energy from Hell?” The two and a half hour summit will additionally feature a panel of grassroots leaders, the announcement of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award winner, a celebration of the UCC’s newest Creation Justice Churches, and a video showcasing the environmental ministries of our host congregation, The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College. This event will be both in-person and live streamed via Zoom. Along with The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College, cohosts include the UCC’s Council for Climate Justice, the National Setting of the UCC, and the New Hampshire Conference of the UCC. Even if one cannot make the event at its scheduled time, all those who register will receive a link to a recording of the event.

Climate Action Assembly
2024-05-01 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Every two months the UCC Council for Climate Justice hosts a Climate Action Assembly to further collective efforts on three endeavors launched this year: the Freedom from Plastics Campaign, the Electrification Checklist Initiative, and the Vote for Climate Hope Campaign. Each of these programs is rooted in recent General Synod resolutions.
In this Climate Action Assembly, we will have Judith Enck as a special guest speaker. Enck is the President of Beyond Plastics. She will talk about Extended Producer Responsibility legislation that state governments are considering as a means to reduce plastic pollution. We will additionally hear updates on the Electrification Checklist Initiative and the Vote for Climate Hope Campaign. Finally, time will be set aside for attendees to interact with each other through one-on-one conversations for fostering relationships and sharing about climate justice efforts.
Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC.

Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest Award Ceremony
2024-05-04 16:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
The UCC recently conducted a Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest. UCC children and youth were invited to draw, paint, or color about the world and the environment in which they want to live. In this award ceremony, we will view the art of the finalists and announce our winners. The art from the overall winner will be featured on “Climate Hope Voter Pledge Cards” that church members throughout the UCC will collect during the summer and fall before Election Day.
Even if you cannot make the actual ceremony, still sign-up, and we will send you a recording afterward.

Politics, Polarization, and Prophetic Ministry
2024-06-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
As the attention of the world focuses on the 2024 elections, what will be the role of churches that embody the prophetic tradition of the Christian faith? What will preachers say from the pulpit? How will justice-centered ministries be called to act? These can be difficult questions to answer in the context of church cultures in which there is a fear of political conflict and polarization. In this webinar, we will address these critical issues and questions with the help of our featured panelists:
-Dr. Obery Hendricks, Author of “The Politics of Jesus” and “Christians against Christianity”
-Rev. Dr. Leah Schade, Author of “Preaching in the Purple Zone: Ministry in the Red-Blue Divide”
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Vote for Climate Hope Campaign Kickoff
2024-06-18 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
For the second year, the United Church of Christ (UCC) is undertaking a nationwide Climate Hope campaign. The first phase of the campaign was an art contest for children and youth. The winning art is now going on Climate Hope Voter Pledge Cards that congregations will collect in the summer and fall. Voter pledges are a proven method for increasing voter turnout, especially when they are tied to causes about which people care deeply. In this special kickoff event, learn everything you need to know about registering your congregation and participating in this vitally important campaign.
Even if one cannot make the event at its scheduled time, all those who register will receive a link to a recording of it.

UCC Climate Action Assembly
2024-06-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The next UCC Climate Action Assembly will feature Cora Wynet, who is the Senior Director of Research at Rewiring America, the nation’s leading electrification nonprofit, focused on electrifying our homes and communities. She will help us further the UCC’s commitment to electrifying our churches and the homes of our members.
Every two months the UCC Council for Climate Justice hosts a Climate Action Assembly to further collective efforts on three endeavors launched this year: the Freedom from Plastics Campaign, the Electrification Checklist Initiative, and the Vote for Climate Hope Campaign. Each of these programs is rooted in recent General Synod resolutions.
Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC.

An Indigenous Translation of Scripture
2024-07-16 15:00 - 16:00 | Zoom
The “First Nations Version” is an Indigenous translation of the Christian scriptures. It brings a fresh language to how these scriptures are conveyed and understood. Notably, a decolonized rendering of the sacred texts articulates a different understanding of how humans understand their relationship to both God and all of God’s creation. In this webinar, we will hear from three members of the translation council that produced the First Nations Version. Terry M. Wildman, who envisioned the translation, will be joined by Amy Allan and Kimberlee Medicine Horn Jackson. Register to learn about this translation, especially as it relates to caring for God’s creation.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Defending the Sacred
2024-08-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
For the Apache and other Indigenous peoples, Oak Flat is a sacred site akin to Mount Sinai. It is currently under threat of being mined for copper by Resolution Copper, a subsidiary of the multinational mining companies Rio Tinto and BHP. A legal effort to block the transfer of public land for the project was denied by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case is now being appealed to the Supreme Court. Join us to hear from those who have been engaged in the struggle to defend Oak Flat as it enters this crucial stage:

Wendsler Nosie, Sr., Former Chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe
Sarah Augustine, Executive Director of the Coalition to Dismantle the Doctrine of Discovery
Rev. Carol Rose, Co-Pastor of Shalom Mennonite Fellowship in Tucson, Arizona

Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Climate Action Assembly
2024-09-04 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The UCC Council for Climate Justice hosts Climate Action Assemblies every two months to focus on efforts related to the implementation of past General Synod resolutions. In this Climate Action Assembly, we will hear a briefing on the UCC’s current Vote for Climate Hope Campaign as it enters a critical stage. Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC.

A Refuge in Times of Trouble: Faith Communities as Resiliency Hubs
2024-09-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
As the climate crisis leads to more extreme weather events, faith communities can play a vital role as places of refuge and resiliency. For example, a house of worship with solar panels, battery storage, air conditioning, and an air filtration system can provide a place for community members to come during heat waves, power outages, or unhealthy air quality days. Faith communities not only can serve as drop-in centers, but they can also serve as evacuation zones, emergency shelters, and resource hubs in times of trouble. In this webinar, we will learn more about the cutting edge of how faith communities are embodying a love of neighbor in very tangible and needed ways. We will hear from those leading the way in their local communities to make this happen:
-Bekah Estrada, Southern California Director, Interfaith Power & Light
-Rev. Dr. Kevin Earley, Senior Pastor, Community Church of Atlanta
-Gary White, Environmental Justice Ministry Leader, Congregational Church of San Mateo
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is brought to you by the United Church of Christ, Alabama Interfaith Power & Light, and the People’s Justice Council.
The co-hosts will be the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt, the Environmental Justice Minister for the UCC, and Katie Howe, the UCC’s Minister for Disaster Response and Recovery.

UCC Climate Action Assembly: Post-Election Gathering
2024-11-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
On the day after the election, we will assess implications of the election results and begin to plan ahead. Our special guest speakers will include Robin Lewis, the Climate Equity Director for Interfaith Power & Light-DMV, and Abigail Cipparone, the Domestic Policy Advocate of the United Church of Christ’s DC Office.
We will also look ahead to the next stage of the Climate Hope campaign as church members prepare to visit the offices of their elected officials.
Every two months, the UCC Council for Climate Justice hosts a Climate Action Assembly focused on collective endeavors rooted in recent General Synod resolutions. Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC.

What Is Owed: International Climate Debt
2024-11-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
While developed countries disproportionately caused the climate crisis, developing countries have disproportionately suffered the consequences. As a result, a debt is owed. Yet, the opposite is happening as developing countries are the ones saddled with the crushing burden of debt payments. According to a report from the IMF and World Bank, 47 developing countries will pay $400 billion dollars to service their debts in 2024. With the risk of default, these countries are not able to devote the money needed to address the climate crisis. As the UN Climate Change Conference takes place in Azerbaijan, we will focus on the enormous moral and financial issues at stake with climate debt. Athena Peralta from the World Council of Churches and Karimi Kinoti from Edeni Platform discuss these critical matters.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Reclaiming Our Democracy
2024-12-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
After the election, commentators like Tom Nichols urged people to “stay engaged and make their voices heard at every turn.” But most still wonder how, and even if, they can make a difference between elections. What are the options? (1) Protesting? Vital, but usually not the long game. (2) Signing email form letters, which only 3% of Congressional staff says is highly effective? Just gestures. (3) Taking a 2-year nap until the next election? Sadly, the preferred route for many. Few know about (4) transformational advocacy which helps you change an issue while you also become changed in the process.
In his book “Reclaiming Our Democracy: Every Citizen’s Guide to Transformational Advocacy,” Sam Daley-Harris writes about people who have successfully brought about social change and personal transformation. Join us for this webinar as Daley-Harris shares his stories and wisdom gained from years of leading and coaching advocacy organizations such as Citizen’s Climate Lobby, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Catholic Relief Services, and RESULTS.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Climate Action Commissioning Service
2025-01-08 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
As we enter a year of critical importance in the struggle for climate justice, the UCC is holding a Climate Action Commissioning Service. Gather with us as we faithfully prepare ourselves to take action in the coming year. The theme for this service and for the UCC’s 2025 Climate Hope Campaign is “Planting Seeds of Hope.” Our preacher will be the Rev. Michael Malcom, the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.
Even if you cannot make the service at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.

From a Toxic Media to a Toxic Environment
2025-01-15 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Media in our society can have a decisive influence on everything from elections to the quality of the very air we breathe. It can shape and inform the demands of a public and the political will of those in office. In short, a toxic media can lead to a toxic government and, literally, a toxic environment. This is evident in the influence that media conglomerates like Fox can have on matters as vital as the climate crisis. In this webinar, we will hear from three guest panelists who will help us to understand our current media landscape, how it impacts the climate crisis, and what we can do about it.
-Allison Fisher, Program Director for Climate and Energy, Media Matters for America
-Elyse Martin, Manager of Persuasion Research & Campaigns, Environmental Defense Fund
-Cheryl A. Leanza, Policy Advisor, UCC Media Justice
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Elon Musk, Oligarchy, and Climate Justice
2025-02-12 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Over and over again, the Bible tells of prophets who confronted rulers and the rich with an eye toward justice. Today, the ultra-rich hold enormous political power in the United States, and the implications are many, especially when it comes to the pursuit of climate justice. As the world’s richest man and as someone once hailed as a climate savior, Elon Musk has told the President that “we don’t need to rush” to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As people of faith, what are we to make of this situation in which a small number of wealthy individuals have a tremendous influence over the future well-being of humanity and all of God’s creation? More importantly, what are we to do? The following panelists will help us address these questions:
-Edie Rasell, author of “The Way of Abundance: Economic Justice in Scripture and Society”
-KeShaun Pearson, Executive Director of Memphis Community Against Pollution
-Joseph Geevarghese, Executive Director of Our Revolution
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Climate Action Assembly
2025-03-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Every two months the UCC Council for Climate Justice hosts a Climate Action Assembly to discuss actions and programs related to recent General Synod resolutions. This assembly will focus on federal advocacy efforts and future planning as we approach the next General Synod in July. Climate Action Assemblies are open to all members of the UCC.

2025 Climate Hope Art Contest Ceremony
2025-04-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Join us as we celebrate the art of our 2025 finalists for the UCC’s Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth. The theme this year was “Planting Seeds of Hope.” UCC children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color works of art that bring this theme to life. In the ceremony, we will see the art of all our finalists. We will have winners for different age groups and an overall winner who will receive an all-expense paid trip to visit Washington, DC with a parent or guardian. The winner will advocate with the offices of their congress members, tour the Capitol, and learn how they can bring their faith values to life in the halls of power. The winning art will additionally serve as the logo for UCC Climate Hope advocacy work throughout 2025.

Transformative Faith in Toxic Times
2025-04-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Too often, our theology of God’s power has been shaped by images of dominion and control, mirroring human systems of exploitation and extraction. But Scripture reveals a different kind of power—one that flows through relationships, nurtures life, and brings healing to both people and planet. Creation Justice Ministries has released a new resource in time for Earth Sunday that explores life-giving theologies in conversation with those leading at the grassroots of a faith-rooted movement. In this webinar, Derrick Weston of Creation Justice Ministries will introduce the new resource entitled “The Power of God: From Extractive Theology to Transformative Faith.” The Rev. Shawn Anglim of First Grace United Methodist Church in New Orleans will share about the transformative work of a local coalition that created a solar-powered microgrid across the city to serve as backup energy for storm-ravaged communities. Allen Johnson from Christians for the Mountains will talk about the power of faithful advocates in relation to the struggle to stop mountaintop removal for coal extraction.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

Annual UCC Earth Summit
2025-04-26 14:00 - 17:00 | Zoom
For this year’s summit, the Jim Antal Keynote Lecture will be delivered by Katharine Hayhoe, one of the world’s leading climate scientists and the author of popular books such as Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World and A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions. Through television appearances on PBS and Showtime as well as her widely viewed TED Talks, Hayhoe has reached a broad audience with a compelling perspective on science, climate, and faith.
This two-and half-hour summit will additionally feature 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 will speak on this panel: Dr. Marsha Jackson from Southern Sector Rising, Caleb Roberts from Downwinders at Risk, and Emmanual Davis from Justice for Joppa.
The summit will also feature the announcement of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award winner and a celebration of the UCC’s newest Creation Justice Churches.
Cohosts for summit include the National Setting of the United Church of Christ, the UCC Council for Climate Justice, the South Central Conference of the UCC, and First Congregational United Church of Christ in Fort Worth, Texas.
Sponsors include United Church Funds and the Cornerstone Fund.

A Relentless Struggle for Justice
2025-05-14 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
The story of Charles Lee’s involvement and leadership in the struggle for environmental justice intersects with many of the most pivotal events in the movement’s history: the Warren Country protests that gave birth to a movement, the publication of “Toxic Wastes and Race in the United States” that became a landmark report, the First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit that issued the groundbreaking “Principles of Environmental Justice,” and the establishment of environmental justice as a core part of the EPA’s mission. On March 31st, Charles Lee retired as the Senior Policy Advisor for Environmental Justice for the EPA after working there for more than two decades. In this webinar, Lee will reflect back on his distinguished career.
Even if you cannot make the webinar at its scheduled time, still sign-up, and we will send you a link to a recording of it.
This monthly installment of Creation Justice Webinars is co-hosted by the Rev. Dr. Brooks Berndt who serves as the Minister of Environmental Justice for the United Church of Christ and the Rev. Michael Malcom who serves as the Executive Director for Alabama Interfaith Power & Light and the People’s Justice Council.

National Faith Mobilization for Sun Day on September 21st
2025-06-11 13:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
On September 21st, the UCC will hold a denomination-wide Climate Hope Sunday. This will be a day of worship and action. Liturgical resources will be provided along with advocacy cards directed at Members of Congress. The advocacy cards will feature the winning art from this year’s Climate Hope Art Contest, and they will allow members a chance to let their congress members know about their desire for robust policies to address the climate crisis. Climate Hope Sunday will coincide with a national day of action being spearheaded by Bill McKibben, Jim Antal, and others as they celebrate “Sun-Day” and draw attention to the renewable energy that can power our future. Our theme will be “Bringing Climate Hope to Sun-Day.” At this launch, we will share about the plans for this event and how the process of ordering advocacy cards will work.
