Create Climate Justice: April 2025 News
For people who work on climate change, it can feel like we’re living through the apocalypse. We know how climate disruption is wreaking havoc on communities and threatening future generations, and still we wake up every day committed to the work of climate justice. I’m reading “The New Saints” by Lama Rod Owens right now, and I have been meditating on his reflection that:
Living through the apocalypse feels . . . like making plans for tomorrow while having little faith that there will be a tomorrow. It is the feeling of the bottom falling out from under me. . . but I believe the apocalypse is a blessing. There’s nothing like a crisis to wake us up and force us to start getting serious about change.
Even though recent research reflects that 72% of Americans believe that Climate Change is a serious problem and the U.S. just experienced one of the deadliest non-hurricane weather disasters in decades, the Trump administration is tackling every ‘emergency’ except the important one – climate change, demolishing years of climate action, and endangering all of our lives.
Although I struggle to call what’s happening with climate policy a “blessing”, I do agree that this crisis is a clear call for renewed commitments and strategic actions.
As a people of faith, we are uniquely poised to meet the challenging realities and overwhelm them with community care, and the UUA has resources to help your congregation meet the moment.
We’ve completely revitalized the Green Sanctuary 2030 materials for more action, less paperwork. The goal is no longer accreditation - the goal is creating climate justice in our communities. With just ONE requirement for yearly recognition, now is a perfect time to renew your climate justice commitments. The new materials are grounded in UU values and echo the UU Climate Justice Revival’s call to Reimagine Our Community Thriving, Ground in Our Context, Explore Opportunities, and more.
Here are a few opportunities to connect with other UUs committed to climate justice and fortify your souls:
Dig into the new materials at the next Green Sanctuary 2030 Orientation on April 2 or May 7 at 7ET.
Turn your Revival experience into meaningful actions at the Revival Community of Practice on April 9 at 7ET.
Renew your commitment to climate justice at the Green Sanctuary 35th Anniversary Celebration and Call for Renewal with President Sofía on April 16 at 7ET.
Nourish your spirits at the UUMFE Earth Day Celebration April 22, 2025
Download written materials for use at your congregation’s Earth Day Service.
Learn how UUs are Working with the new Green Sanctuary materials on May 21 at 7ET.
Lama Rod encourages us that “to meet the apocalypse, you must embody an intention that this experience will not consume you, that this experience is calling you into a deeper labor of transformation and creativity.”
Green Sanctuary 2030 Orientation
April 2, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CT
Get to know the new Green Sanctuary! Green Sanctuary orientations provide an overview of the process and allow for plenty of time to get all of your questions answered. Come learn how to transform your congregation through climate justice.
What's next after the Revival? Revival Community of Practice
April 9, 2025 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET
So you held a Climate Justice Revival.... now what? Come together with other UUs who are also moving through the Rest, Celebrate, Reflect, Synthesize, Organize process following the Revival. Learn together! Make Connections! Move Climate Justice forward together. This informal gathering will provide ample time for conversation and brainstorming next steps together.
Image description: A green gradient background with specks of light, with a head and shoulders photo of Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt in a flower frame and bold, stylized flowers in pink, yellow, and green. Green Sanctuary 35th Anniversary and Call for Renewal. Wednesday, April 16, 4pm PT, 5pm MT, 6pm CT, 7pm ET.
Green Sanctuary 35th Anniversary Call for Renewal with President Sofía Betancourt
April 16, 2025 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET
Celebrate 35 years of Green Sanctuary and renew your congregation's commitment! Join President Sofía and friends to celebrate this impactful and transformative program that has organized UUs to take action on climate for 35 years, and learn about the new Green Sanctuary process that will carry our faith through the coming years. All are welcome! Renew your commitment to faith based actions that advance climate justice in our communities.
Green Sanctuary 2030 Orientation
May 7, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CT
Get to know the new Green Sanctuary! Green Sanctuary orientations provide an overview of the process and allow for plenty of time to get all of your questions answered. Come learn how to transform your congregation through climate justice.
Working with the New Green Sanctuary Materials
May 21, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM CT
Learn how one of our Green Sanctuary teams is working through the new Green Sanctuary materials! Released in February 2024, the new materials are designed to be more manageable, accessible, and impactful for our congregations. Join us on May 21 to learn how the materials are being used by your fellow UUs! --- Come together for shared learning and mutual supports with other UUs transforming our congregations through climate justice. Green Sanctuary community meetings take place on the third Wednesday of the month at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET for 90 minutes.
