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.
New England Environmental Justice Youth Summit Postponed
Due to the Covid-19 virus the Environmental Justice Mission Group is postponing the New England Environmental Justice Youth Summit that was to be held on March 21,2020 at the South Congregational Church in Concord. The proposed new date is Saturday, November 21, 2020. We regret any inconvenience this may cause. Please contact Ann Desrochers (adesrochers@nhcucc.org) if you would like a refund of your registration.
Look for Registration to re-open in the fall.
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 / Resources
- An Introduction to the Kairos Moment
- 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
March 2020 - Success at Town Meetings for Carbon Cash-Back!
This month 24 New Hampshire towns passed a resolution to support carbon pricing (carbon cash-back) legislation while 10 towns failed to pass it, some by just a few votes. A message supporting carbon pricing will now be sent to our state legislators, Governor Sununu, congressional delegation, and President Trump from those 24 towns. The Carbon Cash-Back Coalition reports that ten more towns have yet to vote on it and people are working on presenting it to city councils as well. Read more >>
March U.N. Sustainability Goal of the Month: Gender Equality
You may wonder what gender equality has to do with helping the environment, but consider that in many countries around the world, girls have little or no education, which leaves them with no real choice but to marry young and start families. They will have several children, little income to support them and will live in poverty, unable to improve their family's dependence on practices that contribute to environmental degradation like cooking over a wood fire when there is no wood left and having to spend all day looking for water, leaving the very young and old unattended. When a girl has an education, even if it's just through the primary grades, she will have a chance at better-paid work, be more likely to decide when to marry and how many children to have and contribute to her community rather than be a burden on it. The population in general will grow more slowly, alleviating the environmental burden of having to find living space for so many people. The quality of life will be better allowing for sustainable improvements to unhealthy practices. Society will improve since 100% of the people can have a role.
Trees: Threats and Possibilities: A Webinar from the Pollinator
In preparation for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, the UCC has partnered with Interfaith Power and Light, the Arbor Day Foundation, and Global Ministries to launch the Three Great Loves Tree Planting Campaign. For information about how trees draw down carbon dioxide and the threats they face, please click on the image to enjoy this Webinar.
The Youth Climate Movement: A Webinar with Jamie Margolin
Click on the image to watch a rebroadcast of the Creation Justice Webinar with Jamie Margolin, Youth Activist with the Climate Movement.
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¬if_t=page_post_reaction
United Church of Christ Webinar: Panel on Food Justice
View at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCsRj9d1E8U&feature=youtu.be
Environmental Resolutions at the 2019 Synod
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.
Webinar 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
In 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
Watch 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)
Related Websites
- United Church of Christ Environmental Ministries
- New England Regional Environmental Ministries
- Indigenous Environmental Network (ienearth.org)
- The Pollinator: UCC Environmental Justice Blog
- Peter Sawtelle's Eco-Justice Web site (eco-justice.org)
- 350.org and 350NH.org
- United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (un.org)
- Congress.gov: the Green New Deal Resolution (H Res 109)
- keepitintheground.org
- Environmental Protection Agency (epa.gov)
- New Hampshire Interfaith Power and Light (NHIPL.org)
- New Hampshire Saves (nhsaves.com)
- Granite State Organizing Project (granitestateorganizing.org)
- energystar.gov
- Environmental Voter Project (https://www.environmentalvoter.org/)