Environmental Justice

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Environmental Justice Mission Group
New Hampshire Conference, United Church of Christ

Members are Rev. Roger Burkhart, Eric Chamberlain, Rev. Robert Grabill, Sue Moore, Rev. Dr. Robert Shore-Goss, and Robin Walkup, Chair. 
 

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And God saw everything that had been made, and behold, it was very good. --Genesis 1:31a

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; --Psalm 24:1 (NIV)

What brings joy to your heart, peace to your spirit, a smile to your face? For many of us the unfolding of the seasons, the rising and setting of the sun, the intricacy and beauty of nature is a central aspect of our lives, what it means to be human, the place where our spirits are most fed. What would you be willing to do for the planet you love, for the beauty of the Earth, for the Creator who called it good?

Believing deeply that all creation is formed by a loving God, and that we are called to be wise and compassionate stewards of this good Earth, the Environmental Justice Mission Group of the NH Conference UCC is committed to joining in this holy work. Scripture reveals a God who comes to us in many ways, making a lasting covenant through nature and cross, rainbow and empty tomb. The God of scripture and human experience, revealed in the magnificent and the miniscule, vast cosmos and tender crocus, in a newborn child, the wisdom of age, is also the One who calls us to participate in loving, healing and restoring all creation.

Responding to that call, the Environmental Justice Mission Group seeks to engage others in deeper appreciation for the beauty, wonder and awe toward the natural world and to take up the call to care for the integrity of creation. We invite others to work with us to translate the love we feel for creation into tangible acts of celebration, education, preservation and restoration on behalf of Earth. This work takes the form of:

  • Educational events and programs, Conference-wide or in local churches
  • Trainings in energy efficiency and the greening of congregations
  • Celebrations and worship opportunities to enjoy nature
  • Increasing collaboration with other denominations
  • Resources connecting Earth care and personal faith
  • Support for policies and practices that promote sustainability


The Mission Group is welcoming of others who care about God's creation and whose faith leads them to act with compassion, creativity and courage to fulfill our calling as stewards and caretakers.

For further information about the Environmental Justice Mission Group, its work, resources or events, please contact Chair, Robin Walkup, or watch the NH Conference website for updates to our weekly e-newsletter, The Weekly News

Meeting Schedule

We meet the first Monday of the month from 3:00 - 5:00 pm

New Hampshire UCC Conference Center
140 Sheep Davis Road
Pembroke, NH 03275

Remote access is possible through Zoom Meeting.

Recommended Reading

  • This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein
  • Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes and Erik M. Conway
  • Field Notes from a Catastrophe by Elizabeth Kolbert
  • Blessed are the Consumers: Climate Change and Restraint by Sallie McFague
  • Climate Church, Climate World: How People of Faith Must Work for Change by Jim Antal
  • Drawdown, the Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming edited by Paul Hawken
  • Earth Honoring Faith by Larry Rasmussen
  • Eco-faith, Creating and Sustaining Green Congregations by Charlene Hosenfeld
  • Ecology at the Heart of Faith: The Change of Heart that Leads to a New Way of Living on Earth by Denis Edwards
  • Eco-Spirit: Religions and Philosophies for the Earth by Laurel Kearns and Catherine Keller
  • God is Green: An Eco-Spirituality of Incarnate Compassion by Robert Shore-Goss
  • Original Instructions, Indigenous Teachings for a Sustainable Future edited by Melissa K. Nelson
  • Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth, The Golden Sufi by Joanna Macy, Thich Nhat Hanh and Wendell Berry 
  • The Encyclical Letter Laudato Si' On Care for Our Common Home by Pope Francis
  • The Lost Gospel of Earth by Tom Hayden
  • The New Cosmic Story by John Haught
  • Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

Current News/Events

The Youth Climate Movement: A Webinar with Jamie Margolin

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Click on the image to watch a rebroadcast of the Creation Justice Webinar with Jamie Margolin, Youth Activist with the Climate Movement.

 

 

December United Nations Sustainability Goal: Clean, Renewable Power for All

This is a big goal and one that will not be easily achieved by 2050 if it is not made a priority around the world. Poorer regions are going to need help from wealthier ones. New technologies are already helping like methane capture and re-use systems, wind power and solar power. The UCC has developed an initiative for its members to become Creation Justice Churches, encouraging them to shrink their environmental impact as much as possible. A collaborative effort among the various denominations has resulted in a new NH Interfaith Power and Light group, which will provide information and resources to address lowering power usage among houses of worship throughout the state. The "Solarize" and "Weatherize" projects around the state have helped increase the amount of electricity produced by solar power and decreased the amount of heating and cooling resources needed. If you have questions on how to move forward with ideas or projects please don't hesitate to ask for information from these organizations and the Environmental Justice Mission Group.

 

Bill McKibben congratulates the UCC on adopting a witness resolution to support the Green New Deal. We are the first Christian denomination to do so.

Check out his Facebook post at:
https://www.facebook.com/PollinatorUCC/posts/387808855177019?notif_id=1561504549715882&notif_t=page_post_reaction 

United Church of Christ Webinar: Panel on Food Justice

Panel_Food_Justice
View at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCsRj9d1E8U&feature=youtu.be   

  

Environmental Resolutions at the 2019 Synod

Resolutions_for_Just_World
Webinar discussion of all the climate related resolutions being brought forth at General Synod 32, June 21 - June 25, 2019.

View at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCpP4X3oLMA&feature=youtu.be  

  

Standing Rock and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance.


StandingRock_WebinarWebinar featuring Nick Estes on Standing Rock and the Long Tradition of Indigenous Resistance.

View at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmSIeMOcsow&feature=youtu.be

 

EnergyMatters E14 - Eco-Spirituality

EnergyMatters_WebinarIn an interview with Mary Ewewll, Cheshire TV, the Rev. Dr. Robert Shore-Goss discusses Eco-spirituality and the need for Green Teams in Churches.

View the complete segment on YouTube at: https://youtu.be/-rHWevN7wIY

Webinar on Climate Change

PeopleFaith_ClimateWatch a Replay of the People of Faith as Climate Messengers webinar by Dr. Katherine Hayhoe of the University of Texas, sponsored by the UCC Environmental Justice Council. Dr. Hayhoe is an evangelical Christian and environmental scientist.

 

 

News

  • A Green New Deal Resolution to be Proposed at the 2019 UCC General Synod.
    Click here to read the proposed resolution from the UCC to advocate for the Green New Deal legislation being worked on in Congress.
  • The Federated Church of Marlborough Celebrates New Solar Installation
    On April 14, 2019 the Federated Church of Marlborough held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate its newly installed 70 panel solar array, which will provide all the church's electrical power needs. The installation was done by Revision Energy with no up-front costs.
  • New Hampshire Youth Taking on Climate Change Creatively (April 17, 2018)

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