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Creation Care Team at Annual Meeting

The Wisconsin Conference Annual Meeting remains an important link for the growing network of Creation Care churches here in our state. Members of our team always look forward to greeting you at our exhibit, where you find information about the Kairos Call to Action, Kairos grants, the Kairos Newsletter, and what many of our churches are doing to reduce their carbon footprint and become stronger advocates for our endangered planet. 

Prior to the June annual meeting this year, our exhibit made some rounds, visiting congregations in Mt. Vernon, Dousman, Fond du Lac, Tomah, Brookfield and Fort Atkinson. Kairos Newsletter editor Susan Webb greeted many of you this year as you shared your story, whether just thinking about starting some kind of “green” team at your church or what you have been doing for a while.

This year, we were represented at two workshops on Friday afternoon. One a “Collective Impact” workshop again featuring youth outreach professional Heather Phelps and representatives of Brookfield Congregational and Mt. Vernon Zwingli churches. The other workshop featured introductions to all the justice ministries of the conference, giving delegates a taste of the many ways we address race, immigration, LBGTQ+ and mental health concerns, in addition to climate change. Two nature walks got us outdoors and enjoying the glory of God in the natural world that makes Daycholah (Ho-Chunk for “Green Lake”) such a great place to be together.

Kelley and Steve Brumm, representing Zwingli UCC in Mt. Vernon, sang their original song “Abundant Creation” during the Friday evening plenary. Here are the lyrics and a link to the recording of their performance. You have their permission to use either or both.

Celebrating God’s Creation: A Down to Earth Lent

In 2025, at Brookfield Congregational UCC, our Liturgical Arts Team and Reverend Laura McLeod chose a Lenten theme of “Celebrating God’s Creation: A Down to Earth Lent.” Our activities, learning opportunities, liturgy, music, a Lenten study and Easter decor all focused on appreciating, experiencing and caring for God’s creation.

A weekly Lenten Activity Calendar was sent to all members. Each day offered a suggested activity, task, prayer, recipe, scripture or idea to bring our attention and focus on God’s creation. Some of the ideas included were focused on sustainability tips. Other calendar suggestions were scripture readings and prayers, highlighting an appreciation and wonder for all God has created for us. Continue reading the story here.

Laudato Si': A Drop in the Ocean or a Powerful Oceanic Undercurrent? It's Up to Us.

From the National Catholic Reporter Earthbeat

When the late Pope Francis penned his groundbreaking encyclical letter "Laudato Si', on Care for Our Common Home," it was hailed by some as the most influential contribution the Catholic Church has ever made to the global debate on any given topic.

Yet, a decade later, a frank look at the precarious state of our common home could lead to the opposite conclusion. Despite Francis' groundbreaking appeal, the ecological crisis and the climate emergency continue to worsen. The poorest among us are being hit hardest — and the harm continues to accelerate. Scientists are ringing alarm bells with increasing desperation.

Was Laudato Si' a powerless drop in the ocean? Or did it set in motion a powerful oceanic undercurrent that will ultimately prove transformative despite the chaos on the surface? Read the story here.

Creation Care Regional Event at Fort Atkinson

The Wisconsin Conference Creation Care Team invites you to a gathering on Saturday, September 6, at First Congregational UCC in Fort Atkinson. Come and learn about ways that our churches can better promote creation care among our congregations and communities in the southern part of the state. After successful gatherings in Tomah last fall and Fond du Lac in the spring, the Fort Atkinson church has offered to host this gathering for our region.

Come together and learn more about our conference-wide efforts and what other congregations are doing to engage in growing faith-based environmental ministries. Bring your Green Team or interested members of your church who would like to get one started.

We will meet at First Congregational UCC, 31 Milwaukee Ave. West, from 10 am to 2 pm.

A free lunch will be provided by the Lend-a-Hand ministry of the church (free registration required). 

From 2:30-4 pm we will enjoy an optional and weather-permitting nature walk at Dorothy Carnes Park and Rose Lake State Natural Area-West, N3220 Radloff Lane, Fort Atkinson.

Please register for lunch here. Deadline for registrations is August 23.

Photo from Creation Care Event in Fond du Lac March 15, 2025

Register here

Register Your Church for National Day of Climate Action

On September 21st, faith communities across the country will be joining a grassroots climate action to celebrate Sun Day! This will be a day to celebrate the gift and power of clean energy while standing up to the profiteers, polluters, and potentates who threaten our health and future.

Register your congregation to receive advocacy cards for members to write messages to congress members on Sun Day.

The Launching of Climate Hope Affiliates

We have launched our first seven Climate Hope Affiliates in Lehigh Valley (PA), Framingham (MA), the East Bay (CA), Concord (NH), Carlisle (PA), Ephrata (PA), and Atlanta (GA). Two more are on their way in Collegeville (PA) and the eastern suburbs of Cleveland (OH). Affiliates address the interconnected crises of climate change and societal injustice by developing ongoing relationships with Members of Congress, local media, and others in the broader community. Let us know if you are interested in starting an affiliate where you live.

The Future of Nature on PBS Wisconsin

Follow a growing number of inspiring people, fighting to save nature. Understand the impact of carbon on our planet and how nature is helping to mitigate its effects. 

Episodes:

• Humans - Discover how humans can become a force for good throughout the natural world.
• Forests - Carbon drawdown is a superpower of forests. Understand why restoring and protecting them is vital.
• Grasslands - Explore the planet’s rich grasslands, dynamic, huge, and above all vital for our planet’s future.
• Oceans - See how oceans, and the organisms within them, help to draw down carbon at scale.

Originally aired in April 2025, these episodes are being shown again; check local listings or PBS Passport.

Looking for Something New? Have Something to Give Away? 

Check out the Buy Nothing Project.

Before shopping for new furniture, clothes, lawn gnomes, etc., consider searching for a used version for free. The Buy Nothing Project links people with items to give away with people looking for them, saving our planet the cost in raw materials and energy to manufacture, package, and transport merchandise. People even offer food leftovers through this project’s website.

The program is 100% volunteer, and relies on donations for administrative costs. Their global service is free in local areas (easiest to connect giver and receiver without delivery difficulties), but has a modest subscription fee for wider searches.

According to the Buy Nothing website “Everything here is freely-given and freely-received, without any expectation of reward or compensation other than the joy of giving, receiving, sharing, and building a strong web of connections between people.” People giving away items can also choose between interested recipients to decide where their treasures find new homes. 

The website points out 3 benefits to participants: reduce waste, save money, and build community. The site also shares this description of the group’s purpose: “The Buy Nothing Project empowers all of us to give and receive, share, lend, and express gratitude through a worldwide network of local gift economies, in which the true wealth is the web of connections formed between people who are real-life neighbors. We're an international network of local gift economies, where everything is freely-given and each gift helps people and the planet. Visit our website to learn more and join the movement!”

There are similar online services like “Freecycle.org” and Facebook Marketplace to resell items (and likely even more). Many communities have local charities that appreciate donated items to share with people setting up or renewing their households. Consider checking out these options before buying new or disposing of goods that still have some useful service life.

The Story of a Plastic Spoon

Moment of Awe

Mister Rogers Neighborhood by Nancy Rasmussen, Walworth, WI

I created a YouTube video using Mister Rogers' neighborhood song with pics of my neighbors living on our property. I think Mister Rogers would approve! We all need a little Mister Rogers in our life!

Watch the video: