Planning for Earth Month: Resources for Congregations

April is Earth Month, and for congregations, it can be a great time to further discern how to best answer our first calling as Christians: the caretaking of God’s creation. Form a plan for making the most of April. Check out this suggested activities:

1. Celebrate the Talent and Creativity of Our Children and Youth! On Saturday, April 5th at 4 pm ET, we will celebrate over 50 finalists for this year’s Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth. The slideshow of the winning art is a powerful reminder of why we are engaged in climate justice ministry. Register to join the ceremony and see the fantastic art of our finalists.
2. Join the UCC Earth Day Summit Featuring Katharine Hayhoe! This online event will take place on Saturday, April 26th at 2 PM ET. Hayhoe is one of the world’s leading climate scientists. As an evangelical Christian, she has been a popular author and television commentator on matters of climate, science, and faith. The summit will also feature grassroots leaders in the struggle against environmental racism in North Texas. Register now!
3. Celebrate Creation Justice Sunday! Many churches celebrate God’s creation on the Sunday closest to Earth Day. For this occasion, the UCC partnered the ecumenical organization Creation Justice Ministries to produce an Earth Sunday resource on plastics entitled “The Power of God: From Extractive Theology to Transformative Faith.” Download the resource now. An April 9th webinar will feature the author of the resource and local faith leaders from New Orleans and Appalachia. Register to join us at 1 pm ET or to receive a recording.
4. Use Earth Month as a Launching Pad! The UCC is currently launching its first chapters of the UCC Climate Hope Affiliates program in Allentown (PA), Concord (NH), Framingham (MA), and the bay area of California. With a deep sense of calling, affiliates will address the interconnected crises of climate change and societal injustice. With monthly actions, they will develop ongoing relationships with their members of congress, local media, and leaders in their broader community. Let us know if you are interested in starting an affiliate where you live.  

Bonus Suggestion for Earth Month

Have a BYOM (Bring Your Own Mug) Sunday! “Green” your coffee hour and shift away from disposable cups. You can support the climate justice ministries of the UCC by purchasing Climate Hope Mugs.