Our Human-Nature Relationship

Earth Day – First Congregational, LaCrosse

What do tree planting, mountain biking, playwriting and hiking have in common? These all were times that God’s Earth spoke to our members. During First Congregational Church’s Earth Day service in LaCrosse, members shared how the Earth has given to them and how that inspired them to act for the Earth.  

The first narrative of reciprocity was The Word for Children. A personal story of planting, tending and sharing the harvest from the apple trees was brought to life with props and song. 

First photo: (Music) "I thank the Lord for giving me...the sun and the rain and the apple seed..."

Second photo: Maury Appleseed shares apples and cider with others.

In place of a traditional sermon, a panel of 4 members revealed the lessons they learned from nature. 

• Adapt and focus on how to move forward instead of on what is not working. Be in the moment to experience the beauty. – mountain biker, mother, engineer
• Forever chemicals affect reproduction and we need to understand the intersectionality of reproduction, justice and environment. – playwright
• Immersing self in nature amplifies the interconnectedness within the living world, between human and nature and within human relationships. Support organizations that reflect interconnectedness by caring for trails or working for water quality. – hiker, pediatrician, father
• Getting out into nature provides a sense of peace and a sense of self. We must act to protect nature for future generations. – professor, conservationist.

We also heard from Zachary, of Lydon Electric and Solar, who will be installing our church's solar panels. When Zachary proposed adding solar to its third-generation company, he created more than a business plan. He knew he was building stronger and more sustainable communities. He is grateful for our church's commitment to caring for the environment.



Maybe the biggest lessons learned from nature are an appreciation of diversity of relationships with nature, the necessity for diversity of life and to listen to the Earth.

Earth Day at St. Pau'ls UCC, Erin

St. Paul's in Erin gathered in their prayer garden on April 22 for a time of quiet contemplation, prayer and listening. We were especially attuned to the birds and bird songs and how they are for us the voice of God. In addition, we have bluebird houses that were occupied within 24 hours. The corner of the church bird feeding station is ALWAYS busy and check out our recycled birdhouse made from an aluminum can!

May Highlights of Environmental Work by Ladysmith UCC

By Terry Dukerschein, Creation Care Team, Ladysmith UCC

Ladysmith UCC has been focused on improving energy efficiency and was grateful for grants to help us from the Wisconsin's Conference Creation Care initiative.  

We then moved onto ecosystem work specifically with birds and birding and have been doing that for roughly the last 4 years. On May 16 we had a field trip (mostly youth but adults could attend). This hike was for the Great Wisconsin Birdathon fundraiser and also to learn about the wonders of birds. We are a small church, but try to donate at least $100 annually to the Birdathon. Donations that credit our church’s Creation Care–Rusk County team can be sent here. Or, follow general links for donating to the Birdathon or to Birdathon teams in other parts of Wisconsin on the first page of the Birdathon’s general website.

Some members of our Creation Care Team also collected data about Spring Migratory Birds in our area on May 9 for Global Big Day, the day designated for people around the world to generate data on migrating birds in their area. 

Finally, we continue to work on establishing plots of pollinator plants for birds and bees to care for the land and benefit wildlife. There will be more information on that in a subsequent article.

Image: One of two Great Wisconsin Birdathon /Creation Care Team's Group birding hikes, May 2025, Photo by Jill Marie Phillups

'Our New World' and the Pulse of Change

What world will we live in tomorrow as climate change reshapes the Earth? Our planet has many surprises in store. This film reveals Nature's astonishing adaptation abilities, and how we humans can become a supporting force. Four people on four continents face environmental change driven by climate change; as resources grow scarce, they witness shifts in wildlife behavior.  Check this PBS series out here.

Clean Energy Action Alert: Support Dawn Break Solar

A new 180 MW solar farm is being proposed in Waushara County. Dawn Break Solar will improve nearby water quality, generate millions of dollars in flexible funding for local communities, and move Wisconsin closer to our state’s clean energy goals. There have been relatively few public comments on this project so far, and we need your help to make sure the Public Service Commission’s record reflects strong support for clean energy in Wisconsin.

Why support Dawn Break Solar?

• By transitioning to solar farming, Dawn Break Solar will take two high-capacity wells out of service. This will protect our fragile lakes in the Central Sands region.
• Dawn Break Solar will contribute $900,000 per year in utility aid payments to the hosting towns and Waushara County. That’s $27 million dollars over the 30-year life of the project that can go directly where the town and county need it most.
• Dawn Break Solar will improve health across Wisconsin by replacing dirty energy generation and the air pollution that comes with it.

This is the third project we’ve asked our members to support in 2026. Please look out for more clean energy action alerts from Clean Wisconsin and help us make this a historic year for clean energy development. 

Submit comments here

Heat Pumps and Getting to Fossil Fuel Freedom

By Carol and Andy Phelps, Middleton Community Church UCC

For those who aren't familiar with air-to-air heat pumps, they're like air conditioners that can also work in reverse - heating your home in winter as well as cooling it in the summer. 

I hear that currently more heat pumps are being sold in the U.S than new gas furnaces. 

Now that we have a heat pump, I think our family is completely done with the fossil fuels which cause wars, climate change, and air/water pollution at our home - i.e. no more coal-fired electricity, or natural gas, or gasoline. (If you don't count the historic gas station wagon which sits in our garage and only gets driven a few times a year, and the old gas furnace which is still in our basement as a back-up, in case it's ever needed in a long power outage or unusually severe weather.)

Ordinary people can't do all the "big" climate actions at once, but if you spread them out, one big thing a year (or every other year), it'll all get done. 

And the expenses aren't as humongous as people think. If you're currently paying on a gas car loan, why not pay on an electric car loan instead? If you're paying an electric company every month for your energy, why not pay on a solar loan instead? If you're currently paying a lawn care company, why not pay for electric lawn equipment instead? In all those cases, you'll end up saving money in the long run, as well as doing your part to keep our planet beautiful and livable.

Climate Film Series

Watch Blessed Tomorrow’s Faith + Climate Film Series to ground climate action in faith and bring meaningful conversation into your community. Each 20-minute video comes with a free discussion toolkit featuring scripture, prayer, reflection questions, and practical actions you can take right away. Use the series to lead a study, engage youth, train congregants, or inspire faithful action in your congregation. Watch the series!

Circuit Court Issues Order Limiting Pipeline Construction While Lawsuit Over Line 5 Permits Moves Forward

This decision means that Enbridge will likely not be able to complete its planned water crossings until the circuit court fully considers all of the alleged defects in the permit decision.

May 15, 2026 - Today, a Wisconsin circuit court ordered Enbridge Energy to halt pipeline construction at certain locations while it reviews a lawsuit challenging state regulatory approvals for the Canadian energy giant’s controversial plan to build a new 41-mile segment of its Line 5 oil pipeline around the Bad River Reservation in northern Wisconsin.

Judge John P. Anderson allowed most construction activities to continue but also ordered a stay of construction at specific water crossings, providing time for him to complete his review. The partial grant of a stay is based on the court’s finding that Enbridge’s eligibility for permits at those locations “may be on tenuous legal footing.”



Today’s stay decision means that Enbridge will likely not be able to complete its planned water crossings until the circuit court fully considers all of the alleged defects in the permit decision. Read full story here.

On the Kickapoo River at Wildcat Mountain State Park.

Photo from Bill Jetzer, Memorial UCC, Fitchburg