Creation Care SE Regional Meeting

First Congregational Church, Fort Atkinson, hosted the Wisconsin Conference UCC Creation Care SE Regional Meeting on Saturday, September 6, with Rev. Bob Ullman and Rev. John Helt facilitating. The meeting opened with Psalm 65, prayer, and the song “The Earth and All Who Breathe.”   

A video of a presentation by Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, atmospheric scientist and author of “Saving Us,” titled “Faith and the Future of Creation,” set the stage for the day’s discussions. Hayhoe encourages us to act with love, in community, and to talk and teach about how every action matters. Hayhoe remarked that faith and science are complimentary. “Nature doesn’t need us, we need nature. The planet can survive without us…we cannot survive without a healthy, thriving planet."

Best practices and new ideas for how we can protect and restore God’s creation were shared among the approximately 20 attendees. The church’s Lend-a-Hand ministry provided a delicious lunch. Display boards, recommended books, and other resources were available for review, along with the opportunity to hug a 300-plus-year-old Burr Oak tree in the churchyard. Attendees were invited to end the day with a hike at nearby Dorothy Carnes Park/Rose Lake State Natural Area.  

A special Creation Care worship service on Sunday, September 7, with Rev. John Helt as guest preacher (and duet vocalist!), was inspirational and motivational. A reception followed including “dirt cake” (complete with gummy worms), and “ants on a log.”

Memorial Tree Program at Memorial UCC Fitchburg, WI

When Memorial UCC moved to Fitchburg from downtown Madison and built their church in 1989, the first tree they planted was in memory of all the volunteers that helped build the church. The members then decided to remember the people that made the move and those that continue to build the congregation by dedicating a tree each year to those who have died the previous year and put a plaque with their names by the tree in remembrance of those people. 

On Sunday, Sept 21, Memorial remembered 3 members who had died the year before. At the end of the regular worship service, we were invited outside to remember our friends and bless the tree in their remembrance. 

To learn more about the Memorial Tree Program watch this video. 

Season of Creation Ends with a Powerful Call for Climate Justice in Washington D.C.

On September 29th, the United Church of Christ was proud to stand alongside Creation Justice Ministries and over a dozen national faith partners in bearing public witness to the urgent need for moral action in the face of worsening climate impacts, rollbacks of vital protections, and systemic environmental racism across our country. You can watch the recording of the event here.

Climate Accountability Act from Citizen Action of Wisconsin

• The Climate Accountability Act, Assembly Bill 145/Senate Bill 150, authored by Rep. Supreme Moore Omokunde and Senator Chris Larson, requires Wisconsin for the first time to adopt an accountable climate action plan. Its provisions include:
• Requiring the Legislature to pass a concrete and enforceable plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030, in accordance with the Paris Climate Accords and the global consensus of climate scientists.
• Requires the plan to maximize the economic benefits of climate action for all Wisconsin residents, especially people in urban and rural areas currently locked out of economic opportunities.
• Call your State Legislators and ask them to Co-Sponsor The Climate Accountability Act.
• Call your State Assembly Representative and ask them to co-sponsor Assembly Bill 145
• Call your State Senator and ask them to co-sponsor Senate Bill 150

Learn more here.

Here’s an easy way for your church Green Team to get the congregation’s young people involved the movement to protect God’s beautiful, but fragile, creation: Encourage them to attend the Wisconsin Youth Climate Conference, scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, at Madison College. The conference is an opportunity to connect with young environmentalists from across the state and learn from top-flight exhibitors and presenters. And get this: It’s free.

Learn more and register here.

The Things Trees Know

For best-selling author Douglas Wood, trees have always been teachers and sources of inspiration. They have bared witness to so much and have weathered so many storms. In The Things Trees Know, through insightful text and lovely pen and ink illustrations, Doug presents a whispering grove full of wisdom. His brief meditations portray the parallels between trees’ lives and ours.

Examine the impact of climate change on sacred places around the world with journalist Gulnaz Khan. Meet faith leaders drawing on ancient wisdom and spiritual resilience to confront the crisis with hope and action in this powerful four-part series. Find out more here.

Good Climate Videos for Faith Communities

1) The Super-Typhoon Survivor Saving her Community – Marinel Ubaldo (4 min)

Marinel Ubaldo’s life was turned upside down when a super typhoon destroyed her home in the Philippines when she was 16.  She’s now campaigning for her government – and governments across the world – to start facing up to the true impacts of climate change.

2) Beyond Borders: The Threat of Climate Change for People and Planet – Environmental Justice Foundation (6 min)

This touching piece shows the impacts of climate change on people and cultures around the world.

3) When the Earth Moves - (7 min)

Released on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, this features Gaylord Nelson, Tia Nelson, Varshini Prakash and Bob Inglis. It shows how concern for our Earth can unite people across the political spectrum.