Taking Action for Climate Justice in 2024

Action for climate justice in the United Church of Christ is Spirit-led and member-driven. This occurs through the democratic processes of both General Synod meetings whereby delegates vote to pass resolutions every two years and Climate Action Assemblies whereby members meet every two months to work toward the implementation of those resolutions. A result of these participatory practices is a robust year full of opportunities:

Climate Action Commissioning Service

In January, climate justice ministries in the UCC launched with a denomination-wide Climate Action Commissioning Service featuring the preacher Nellis Kennedy-Howard, a long-time advocate for Indigenous environmental justice.

The Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest

To give our children and youth a voice this election season, while also reminding adults of their responsibility for the next generation when they vote, the UCC is conducting a Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest. From now until April 16^th, art submissions will be accepted. An online award ceremony for finalists will be held on May 4^th. Participating churches should register now to receive important information and updates.

The Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award

This award is given at the annual UCC Earth Summit to congregations, ministerial teams, or other groups in the UCC who have exemplified the tradition of prophetic action by publicly challenging the corporate and governmental institutions responsible for environmental injustices. The application deadline for the 2024 award has passed, but look for the chance to apply for next year’s award.

The Electrification Checklist Initiative

The 2023 General Synod electrification resolution encourages UCC congregations and their members to pursue replacing fossil-fueled equipment, appliances, and machines with electric ones. To assist in identifying opportunities for electrification, checklists for churches and members to complete will be provided in 2024.

Freedom from Plastics on Earth Sunday

In alignment with the General Synod resolution on plastics, the UCC partnered the ecumenical organization Creation Justice Ministries to produce an Earth Sunday resource on plastics entitled “Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in a Synthetic World.” Additionally, a network of UCC advocates are developing advocacy plans for state-level legislation.

The UCC’s Annual Earth Summit

In 2024, the UCC will hold its second annual Earth Summit. This online event will feature celebrated author and activist Bill McKibben delivering the Jim Antal Keynote Lecture. Other highlights at the summit will include a panel on environmental justice and plastics as well as a video showcasing the environmental ministries of the host congregation, The Church of Christ at Dartmouth College.

The Vote for Climate Hope Pledge Card Campaign

In building upon the success of the 2023 Climate Hope Cards campaign, the UCC will be conducting a Vote for Climate Hope Pledge Card Campaign in 2024. At church coffee hours, local farmers markets, and a range of other places, church members will collect pledge cards whereby voters commit to voting their values on Election Day.

The Creation Justice Church Challenge

Over the course of the year, four of the activities mentioned above will form the 2024 Creation Justice Church Challenge: the Vote for Climate Hope Art Contest, a Freedom from Plastics Earth Sunday, the Electrification Checklist, and the Vote for Climate Hope Pledge Card Campaign. A congregation that has participated in all of these activities will have demonstrated that it is truly living out a creation justice ethic. If a participating congregation is not already a Creation Justice Church, they are strongly encouraged to apply after having completed all four activities.