The United Church of Christ Collegium of Officers today released an open letter advocating that the UCC’s resources not be invested in fossil fuel companies.

The letter was addressed to delegates to the 29th General Synod, which begins tomorrow, who will be debating a divestment resolution first submitted by the Massachusetts Conference Board of Directors and later co-sponsored or endorsed by 10 other Conferences.

Massachusetts Conference Annual Meeting delegates put their support behind the resolution on June 15th, at the 214th Annual Meeting. 

"We believe that God is calling the United Church of Christ to become the leading religious voice on climate change and environmental racism and, as officers of the church, this public leadership requires us to state our conviction that our church's resources not be invested in fossil fuel companies," says the letter, signed by the five national leaders of the denomination.

The letter calls the issue complex, but goes on to say: “Recognition of complexity does not negate the calling of the Stillspeaking God to decisive action. Scripture says that creation itself longs to be set free from decay (Romans 8:21); we must respond to that longing in light of current realities. Accordingly, we call for a multi-pronged approach to the environmental crisis upon us."

That approach includes a commitment by the UCC’s officers to facilitate church-wide conversations on the environment, to engage with global partners on various environmental issues, to encourage positive investments in renewable energy, and to resource the church on issues of environmental racism. The letter also called for aggressive shareholder action, including “green fund” investment options across the life of the church.

Read the full text of the letter here: www.ucc.org/news/united-church-of-christ-11.html

Related:

More information and resolution text: macucc.org/divest

214th Annual Meeting affirms fossil fuel divestment resolution: macucc.org/news/detail/231