I was delighted to see that Rev. Traci Blackmon, UCC Associate General Minister for Justice and Local Church Ministries and Pastor of Christ the King UCC in Florissant, MO, has been named one of 15 faith leaders to watch in 2020 by the Center for American Progress!  The Center cited her bold efforts to get out the vote. Read about it here.

And Rev. Brooks Berndt, Environmental Minister for the UCC, challenges those of us who are old enough to vote by reminding us:  “Among those with the most at stake in the upcoming election are those who cannot vote: our children and youth. At present, we are setting fire to their future and to the planet that they are in the process of inheriting.”

Here in the SNEUCC, your Environmental Ministries Team (EMT) is on the same wave-length as our denominational leaders! As noted by EMT member the Rev. Jessica McArdle in the previous issue of Ever Flowing Streams, voting is one crucial way we bring our faith to the public square. Read Jessica McArdle's reflection here.

We have initiated the “Congregation Climate Justice Voter Challenge”, and we’re looking for individuals and congregations to join in this Challenge. In brief, we’re inviting congregations to “accept” the challenge of seeking to have at least 75% of their members sign the “Creation Care Voter Pledge.”  By signing the Pledge, a person of voting age is pledging to be “a consistent voter” and “to always prioritize caring for God’s creation in how I vote.”  They then will receive a nonpartisan reminder of upcoming elections in their district or precinct. Remember, if you’re a Massachusetts voter, we have a primary coming up on Tuesday, September 1!

Will your congregation “accept” this Challenge?  Issues of climate change, racial justice, income inequality, and many other social justice issues are on the table in this Fall’s elections. Participation in our democracy by voting is more important than ever. 

For more information on the Congregation Climate Justice Voter Challenge, click here.

Green Teams and other church leaders go here.

To sign the Creation Care Voter Pledge (for individual voters), go here.

We've received responses from over 20 churches in support of the Challenge and the Pledge. Won't you join them?  If we don’t step up, who will?  If not now, when?

In the hope for a greener, more sustainable and more just world for all people,
Barbara Darling
Co-chair, SNEUCC Environmental Ministries Team