Dear Pollinators from Brooks Berndt, UCC Creation Justice Ministries 

Talk of faith and hope can often reside in the world of boring cliches and sleepy yawns until hard times hit. Suddenly, these sometimes abstract and airy concepts then take on new meaning. To speak of "a future with hope" becomes a daunting challenge rather than listless rhetoric. In Jeremiah, the phrase comes as part of God’s promise to those suffering for decades in exile. In a different context, it might have sounded like empty words, but here it not only had substance and meaning; it had an exacting weight. Notably, they are supposed to be participants in their own salvation and liberation. They are to “build houses” and “plant gardens.” They are to “seek the welfare of the city.” It won’t be easy. To the exiles, God declares that the path to restoration will require “all your heart.”

“A future with hope” will be our theme for our Climate Action Commissioning Service on January 14th as well as our 2026 Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth. When it is difficult to see hope on the road ahead, I am reminded of something a colleague told me: We have the opportunity to seek hope, and when we can’t find hope, we have the opportunity to create hope. In other words, we have the opportunity to be participants in our own salvation and liberation.

With gratitude for your ministry,

Brooks

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Climate Action Commissioning Service

As we enter a year of critical importance in the struggle for climate justice, the UCC is holding a Climate Action Commissioning Service. Gather with us as we faithfully prepare ourselves to take action in the coming year. Our preacher will be the Rev. Jim Antal, author of "Climate Church, Climate World." Even if you cannot make the live event, still register, and we will send you a recording. Register today!

First Congregational Church of Oshkosh Uses CCT Grants and Focus on Energy to Reduce Energy Use

By First Congregational Church of Oshkosh

In the summer of 2024, Focus on Energy conducted an energy review of our building. One of their recommendations was to replace fluorescent tubes in second floor classrooms with more energy efficient LED lamps. During this project, old fluorescent tubes were replaced with LED lamps in six classrooms. A total of 58 lamp fixtures with almost 120 LED lamps were upgraded during the month of April. A decision was made to delay replacement of an old fixture in a back stairway with an LED lamp. 

The electrician’s bill for replacement of lamps in the six classrooms was $1495.00. In addition to the $500.00 from the Wisconsin Conference UCC Creation Care grant, First Congregational Church received a check of $290.00 from Focus on Energy as an incentive for the LED lamps. The remaining $705.00 came from funds received from Focus on Energy for our participation in their Practical Energy Management (PEM) program which required the church to track its energy use with the Energy Star Portfolio Manager. $495 from the PEM program participation is still available for future energy efficiency projects without any specific project requirements. Additional donations from church members gives First Congregational Church a total of $1329.90 still available for energy efficiency projects. The building manager and the Building and Grounds Ministry group were instrumental in getting this project done. The Green Team was important in meeting the requirements of the Practical Energy Management program, and continues to input data into the Energy Star Portfolio Manager. There were no extra costs for this project. Focus on Energy and the Wisconsin Conference UCC Creation Care Grant program have been great partners for this project. We recommend that other churches take advantage of the help from both programs. You can read more about this project here.

Wisconsinites Invited to Participate in Wisconsin Conservation Congress Resolution Process

The Wisconsin Conservation Congress (WCC) invites all Wisconsinites to take part in its annual spring hearing process.

The WCC is an independent group of residents who advise the Wisconsin Natural Resources Board and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on how to responsibly manage Wisconsin’s natural resources.

Each year, residents can submit their ideas as resolutions to the WCC. Starting Monday, January 5, 2026, Wisconsinites can submit their proposed resolutions online.

Resolutions must meet the following criteria:

• The concern must be of statewide impact.
• The concern must be practical, achievable, and reasonable.
• The concern must be within the mission and vision of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress.

Each person can submit up to two resolutions per year. If you want to submit a resolution, you can contact the resolution review committee or your WCC County Chair for help with drafting.

Additional tips on preparing a resolution are available on the WCC and DNR's Spring Hearings webpage.

Resolutions will be accepted until February 9, 2026. After submissions close, a committee of WCC delegates will review them to make sure they meet the criteria. Approved resolutions will be added to the spring hearing agenda and online input period, which runs from April 13 to April 15.

For further information or questions, contact Paul Reith, Vice-Chair of the Wisconsin Conservation Congress at 608-616-0808.

Grant Opportunities for Milwaukee County

Faith in Place has an opportunity for Houses of Worship and nonprofit organizations located in environmental justice communities in Milwaukee County to receive grants up to $1,000 each to support the planting of nature-based climate solutions. A few examples include community green space with native plants, tree planting, and rain gardens. Check out our website with more information on the grant opportunity and how to apply! 

Youth Climate Conference held at Madison College

Nate Aeilts, Staff Writer - The Clarion, Madison College

December 9, 2025

A sense of urgency, camaraderie and excitement was on full display at the Wisconsin Youth Climate Conference hosted here at Madison College on November 22. More than 200 youths, ranging in age from junior high to college, and some from as far away as Onalaska, converged on the Truax campus to demonstrate, observe and network for the sake of climate and ecological action.

Most attendees were in high school, including the four leading members of the event’s steering committee: Ella Ahner, Ayelet Blum, Madeleine Bohn and Nina Zhu.

“It’s really inspiring to see how many people can come together to manifest change,” said Ahner, who attends DeForest Area High School. “This conference is proof that we can work together for a better future.”

“This conference was a turning point for me,” said Zhu, now a senior at Memorial High School, recounting her attendance during her freshman year. “It inspired me to join other organizations and the committee. I hope this conference has the same impact on others that it had on me.”

More than 30 schools were represented at the event. Students from more than 20 of those schools presented at exhibit tables to share the accomplishments of their organizations. Read more here

Good News