Let us extend our reach when it comes to action on climate change!

[Posted 2/1/2025] You may remember Evans Nyamadzawo, of Zimbabwe, who gave a second hour on the impact that climate change is already having in Zimbabwe, especially on farmers. He interned with the Environmental Action Ministries Team(EAMT) in 2024 while he was working toward his Master of Arts degree in International Peacebuilding at Hartford International University (HIU). Now, with his degree, he is back in Zimbabwe, eager to implement two interfaith climate action programs for youth and for religious leaders, emphasizing the moral and spiritual imperatives of caring for our planet, encouraging a deeper understanding and respect for diverse cultural and religious perspectives on environmental stewardship.

EAMT is eager to support his efforts and is contributing money from our budget to do so.

We would like to invite members of the congregation to contribute to his efforts by donating online at the ICC website. The window for donating is between now and February 15th when all contributions will be added to our team’s donation and sent to Evans. Be sure to put Evans Nyamadzawo in the memo line. Thank you,

Morven Barwick, Acting chairperson.

Creation Care / Environmental Action

“Ask the animals and they will tell you; the birds of the air will tell you; the plants of the earth will teach you; the fish of the sea will declare to you....in God’s hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of every human being.
”

— Job 12:7-10

Committee Members:
Roland Axelson, Chairperson
Karim Ahmed, Moven Barwick, Diane Benner, Dorothy Lovett Buckley, Audrey Chapman, and Rod Martin.

OUR MISSION

Working Towards a Better Tomorrow

As an environmentally conscious church to strive, individually and collectively, to be good stewards of the Nature and the environment and to address climate change through education and advocacy.

Goals and Purposes:

Take actions to reduce the carbon footprint of the church and to encourage sound environmental practices in the daily lives of church members.
Strive to meet the Green Congregation Challenge, as defined by SNE UCC Environmental Ministry, reaching Level 3 and then Level 4.
Level 4, a significant level of “greening”, as been achieved over the course of 3 years, as signified by the banner below, which was awarded to our church in May 2022. To learn more about The Green Congregation Challenge, please refer to that section.
Work to mitigate climate change (beyond the boundaries of our church) in our community, particularly where it intersects with those most disadvantaged.
Involve young people in the church, encouraging their activism.

Green Congregation Initiatives

Educate

Book studies
Environment Resource Ctr
Environmental films
Lectures on divesting, recycling, composting etc.

Organize

Form Green Team
Green updates via bulletins etc.
Plant pollinator garden
Sermons on intersection of climate change and social justice

Connect

Join organizations such as CT League of Conservation Voters, Third Act, 350.org, Interreligious Eco-Justice Network, Interfaith Light and Power
Attend SNEUCC climate focused webinars
Explore UCC Environmental Ministries online resources

Advocate