The following Call to Action was sent to churches and clergy on Sept. 9, 2019:

Call to Action: Global Climate Strike Week, Sept. 20-27

Together, we will sound the alarm and show our politicians that business as usual is not an option. The climate crisis won't wait, so neither will we.
On September 20th, millions of people around the world will disrupt “business as usual,” walking out of schools, workplaces, and homes to support the Global Climate Strike called for by our youth. 

To allow staff to participate in the Global Climate Strike and support the youth leading this movement, the offices of the Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island UCC Conferences will be CLOSED on Friday, September 20th.  Conference staff with no other obligations that day have been asked to support the Climate Strike in their own way.

“We are closing the Conference offices to allow our staff to become allies in this youth-led climate strike,” said Connecticut Conference Minister Rev. Kent Siladi. “We believe our participation in this action is one way to demonstrate our commitment to environmental justice and to align with the millions of youth across the globe who are leading us into action and advocacy.  We hope that churches will also encourage their staff and congregations to participate and join us in this witness.”

In marches, rallies, prayer vigils, and other public events, people around the world will call for a declaration of climate emergency and for commitment to swift, bold action that measures up to the scale of the crisis.  The Global Climate Strike could be the biggest witness to climate action the world has ever seen.
 
As an example of some local events, Pam Arifian, Director of the UCC Northeast Environmental Justice Center, is working with the InterReligious EcoJustice Network to organize an interfaith prayer service in Bushnell Park in Hartford, CT, on Sept. 20, prior to the Hartford Climate Strike. Following the service, the group will move together to join the rally at the Capitol steps.
 
In Williamstown, MA, First Congregational Church will host a public vigil in front of its Main Street building, joined by students from Williams College and area friends.

The national office of the United Church of Christ is offering a webinar about the climate strike on Sept 10 at 1:00 PM ET.  An interfaith panel will discuss how faith communities are getting involved. Sign up here either to watch live or to receive a recording.
 
Are you already organizing or want to start organizing a climate strike event in your community?  Find all the guidance, resources, tool kits, graphics and more at the Global Climate Strike website.  
 
Coordinated strikes will take place around the world, including 29 events currently listed across the Southern New England Conference region. Find an event near you. 
 
If your church is sponsoring or participating in an action, please let us know via this form so that we can spread the word and inspire others to participate.  Events are being posted on this page as we learn about them.
 
The Sept. 20th strike will launch a week of climate action. Many different plans are underway in different parts of the world, allowing everyone to join together and use our collective power to stop “business as usual” in the face of climate emergency. Here is a list of ways you could join the Climate Strikes if can't leave work or school on September 20th or 27th.
 
Please help spread the word using these promotional materials, provided by the youth leaders. They are using #ClimateStrike and #StrikeWithUs hashtags (among others) on social media. They also provide sample texts for you to copy and share on your social media accounts.