On May 20, 2007, the congregation voted to embark on a congregation-wide initiative to seek to address the challenges of global climate change and its impact on those least able to prepare. With a history of advocacy for justice for people with the fewest material resources, we hope to contribute that perspective to the network of faith and community groups engaged with this challenge.
A steering committee reporting to the Council with representatives from each Ministry began planning educational events to prepare us for the work. As we learned and talked, we found ourselves finding the support we had needed to make changes in our personal lives.
Members swapped ideas on energy saving that worked for them and provided one another with referrals to sources for products and professionals. We found it was fun to tell the stories of our successes and “not yets.” At the same time we began implementing creation care more fully into the life of the church: more consistent recycling, a compost pile, local foods potlucks, and energy saving lights. We continue to engage in education, personal choices, and congregational creation care.
The hardest place to move forward has been identifying ways to provide support to those with fewer resources. We have explored a variety of opportunities for hands-on help, but each has been a poor match for what we can offer. One hopeful direction has been exploring working alongside our friends from the Democratic Republic of Congo as they confront the effects of climate change there (part of All Things Congo). We have also participated in several legislative campaigns which address climate change and human need.
You can read about what we’ve been doing since 2007 at The History of the JCC Initiative.
Why CUCC and why now?
- We see climate change and the environmental and human suffering it causes.
- We see that this change will likely have its largest impact on the poor.
- We see that environmental issues can divide rich and poor, and climate change solutions can overlook the impact on the poor.
- We see an increasing need for creative conservation and creative leadership to find solutions that work for the earth and all humans, rich and poor.
- We see CUCC's long history of social justice leadership.
- We see that CUCC has a critical mass of leaders, interest in environmental protection and financial resources to support the work.
Why this initiative?
See the presentation given at the congregational meeting when the initiative was endorsed by the congregation.