United Church of Christ donors gave more than $60,000 for climate justice to mark Giving Tuesday this year. That $60K will translate into grants for churches and other UCC institutions to have youth and young adult summer fellows, as well as support a lead organizer for the Climate Hope campaign and the program for the special Earth Day event, according to the Rev. Brooks Berndt, UCC Minister for Environmental Justice. 

“Ultimately, the gifts build the leadership capacity of the United Church of Christ in working for justice,” Berndt said. “We place particular emphasis on supporting our youth and young adult leaders. The younger generation has been the leading force in driving change as we face the climate crisis, and we have the unique opportunity to support their leadership within an intergenerational context.  With this next generation of leaders, I see the future I want for our denomination and our world.” 

The 2024 Earth Day Summit next spring will include a keynote from author and activist Bill McKibben, a panel of grassroots leaders, presentation of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award, a reveal of the next Climate Hope Art Contest winner and recognition of environmental ministries at a variety of UCC churches. 

To commemorate the focus of this year’s Giving Tuesday, the UCC hosted a Creation Justice webinar discussion, “You Can’t Stop Justice,” featuring UCC minister and environmental justice pioneer Rev. Benjamin Chavis and Tennessee activist and state Rep. Justin J. Pearson, one of the “Tennessee Three” expelled by the state’s House earlier this year. The two leaders spoke about their experiences giving public witness to justice movements, highlighting why donations can help support those movements.

Though Giving Tuesday has passed, it’s not too late to support the UCC’s environmental justice work. Gifts for this cause can still be made here.