Bicycle Rack Purchased with Creation Care Grant 

By Pilgrim UCC Fond du Lac

The goal of this project was to purchase and install a unique bicycle rack on our church property to enable and encourage members and visitors to ride bicycles to church. A bike rack positioned in a visible location supports our commitment to environmental stewardship.

In July 2025, two bike posts were installed near the main entrance to the church, each accommodating two bikes. These posts were purchased from Graber Manufacturing in Waunakee, Wisconsin. We were pleased to work with a Wisconsin-based company, which allowed us to save on shipping costs. Green Team members picked up the posts from the manufacturer and completed the installation.

The posts have been used by church members, especially young adults.

Community Outreach

In addition to the bike rack installation, we promoted safe biking practices by partnering with a local business, Fond du Lac Cyclery, for a booth at our annual August family fun night. Activities included demonstrations on how to properly wear a bike helmet and instruction on hand signals. Approximately 80 people attended the event. See complete report here.

The 2026 Climate Hope Art Contest for children and youth has officially launched! The theme this year is “A Future with Hope.” Children and youth are invited to draw, paint, or color works of art that bring this theme to life. We will have winners for different age groups and an overall winner who will receive an all-expense paid trip to visit Washington, DC with a parent or guardian. 

Register your congregation now to participate!

Art art submissions accepted from February 6th to March 20th. 

Lenten book study

“Speak with the Earth and It Will Teach You: A Field Guide to the Bible” – by Daniel Cooperrider

Join The BTS Center and Damascus Project’s Lenten book study for a soulful journey through this poetic ecotheological text and its call to deepen our kinship with creation in a climate-changed world. 

Across five Tuesdays (Feb 24–Mar 31, online), we’ll read together with space for reflection, community, and conversation — including a closing session with the author himself. Use promo code TENOFF to get $10 off the registration fee.

Contact the BTS Center if a scholarship would make participation possible for you. 

Sustainability Saves Retreat

May 1-2, 2026

The Wisconsin Conference Creation Care Team invites you to a Saturday and, optionally, a Friday overnight at Daycholah Center. Our gathering is intended for those in your congregation who are responsible for buildings and grounds/infrastructure, as well as any green team members. One of the first steps toward making our facilities more sustainable is to do an energy audit and identify where there may be areas for improvement that can both save money (on utilities) that would otherwise support the mission of the church, and save the planet (reducing our carbon footprint). We will hear from experts in the field who will send us home with practical “saving” ideas and give us a glimpse of what Daycholah Center will be doing along the same lines. 

Join us for a fun, interactive retreat focused on sustainability in our congregations, church buildings, at camp and in our homes. Register here.

Local Water Stewardship is Important

The lakes and waterways are important to our communities. The WI Conference UCC Creation Care Team encourages our communities to get involved with a local grassroot group to do the work involved in taking care of our waterways. Check out the River Alliance of Wisconsin to find a local protection organization. 

River Alliance of Wisconsin believes in the power of grassroots action. It is a core part of our work to engage people in activities that inspire water stewardship. 

It starts with getting involved with your local water protection organizations. When River Alliance steers resources and technical support to local groups, they become stronger grassroots advocates for clean water. Visit our Local Groups page to find an organization in your community. 

Power in Community: The Story of Solar United Neighbors

Global Warming from 1880 to 2022 (1/2 min.)

NASA Jan 2023 

Map of the globe showing change in temperature from blue to yellow to red

The disarming case to act right now on climate change – Greta Thunberg (11 min)

In this passionate call to action, 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg explains why, in August 2018, she walked out of school and organized a strike to raise awareness of global warming, protesting outside the Swedish parliament and grabbing the world's attention. "The climate crisis has already been solved. We already have all the facts and solutions," Thunberg says. "All we have to do is to wake up and change."

Friendly Guide to Climate Change – and what you can do to help (17 min.)

This appealing animated sketch is the best all-around explanation of climate change and what ordinary people can do about it that I’ve seen anywhere.

Power in Community: The Story of Solar United Neighbors

A Moment of Awe

from Bill Handy, Wisconsin Conference UCC Creation Care Team Member