Connect, Organize and Advocate

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Connect with SNEUCC Environmental Ministries

The Environmental Ministries Team is one of the Justice & Witness Task Teams of the Southern New England UCC Conference. This team’s primary interests are issues related to climate change and environmental justice. We recognize that immediate action is needed to address and slow global warming in order to protect God’s creation and the habitability of “Our Common Home”.

We also recognize that the burdens of air and water pollution fall disproportionately on lower income communities and communities of color as a result of long-term systemic practices, and that we need broad structural changes to correct those.

The Team consists of volunteers with experience, expertise, and a passion to seek productive ways and actions, which we can take individually and collectively, which reflect the values of our Christian faith.

To contact the EM team, contact Karen Methot in the SNEUCC Conference Office (methotk@sneucc.org). Visit us on social media and share our posts with your congregation and your networks:

Southern New England UCC Climate Justice on Facebook

SNEUCCClimateJustice on Instagram

Divestment

Climate change is real and urgent: it could end life as we know it. Divestment is one way to send a clear message to fossil fuel companies that we are serious about changing our carbon footprints and they need to be as well.

Read more here

Beyond Fossil Fuels Fund

Fossil Free USA

Advocacy Training

Not sure where to begin with environmental advocacy?

Invite SNEUCC Legislative Advocate Michele Mudrick to visit your congregation via zoom to speak about her work and ways that you can be involved in the legislative process.

Or offer an after-worship program for members on “Advocacy 101” with a facilitator from one of the following organizations. Ask the facilitator/speaker how your house of worship can be helpful in their work:

In CT: Sierra Club, IREJN-CT Interfaith Power and Light or the CT League of Conservation Voters

In MA: Mass Interfaith Power & Light or the Sierra Club

In RI: Rhode Island Interfaith Power and Light

Christians Advocate for Climate Health – 30 minute video by Rev. Margaret Bullit-Jonas on how Christians can advocate for a safe and healthy climate highlighting six different types of advocacy. With a study guide for adult ed class and a list of resources. Watch on YouTube or on the ADVOCATE page of the website for the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts. The website also includes a variety of resources in the categories of PRAY, LEARN, ACT, and ADVOCATE. The bishops of Massachusetts have also declared a climate emergency. More information

Other advocacy resources:

Building Climate Leadership

Center for Earth Ethics Climate Convergence Uniting for Victory

Center for Earth Ethics Climate Crisis Policy Launches Climate Movement

Citizens Climate Lobby

Climate Reality Project

Drawdown

Environmental Defense Fund

Environment Massachusetts

Food and Water Action

Food and Water Watch

Indigenous Environmental Network

Ocean River Institute Cambridge, MA

Extinction Rebellion

Fire Drill Fridays movies, webinars, activism

Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival

Protest and Civil Disobedience

Disobedience: The Rise of Global Fossil Fuel Resistance (YouTube)

A 40-minute film available for free download and streaming, tells the story of four communities preparing to participate in direct action to break free from fossil fuels. What are your thoughts about – or experience with – nonviolent civil disobedience? What would motivate you to engage in civil disobedience?

Extinction Rebellion An international movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimize the risk of social collapse.

Clergy Climate Action To accelerate the transition to a clean, just energy future, a growing number of clergy and religious leaders are engaged in – or pledging to engage in – peaceful acts of civil disobedience. To read, sign, or support the pledge, visit https://www.clergyclimateaction.org. It reads, in part: “We envision a livable climate for our communities, for the poor, for our children, and for all life. We call for immediate and robust public investment in climate solutions, including large-scale renewable energy. We will resist new fossil fuel development through joyful, faithful, spirited, and nonviolent direct action.”