UU Ministry for Earth’s constituent, Laura Emerson, offers this informative and moving blog post on how UUs can engage with nature closest to us. The climate crisis is a crisis of disconnection. Humans are disconnected from the natural world and have forgotten that we are nature. Restoring a reciprocal relationship with all life addresses a range of human-caused problems that have led to climate disruption. It also benefits us and restores us for the work of justice. This is UUMFE’s role in the climate justice movement. We help people reconnect with Earth and the natural world so they can deep ..read more

The Greening of a Sanctuary: Some Thoughts on Flowers By Laura Emerson Flowers and greens are an integral part of worship services, marriages and funerals in all religions.  Have you ever wondered where these floral gifts and decorations in our homes, offices, and sanctuaries come from?  It is so easy to take something for granted until we ask simple questions. For UU’s concerned about carbon footprints and social justice, the international floral industry warrants our consideration.  Did you know that 80% of all flowers sold in the US are imported, primarily from South American ..read more

Today, UU Young Adults for Climate Justice leader Amelia Diehl is beginning her walking journey from Paris, France to the site of the 23rd United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP23). In her own words, Amelia is walking from Paris to Bonn, Germany, because: In his groundbreaking encyclical on climate change, Pope Francis wrote of how to care for our common home. One of his concerns was for the rapidification of the world, the quicker pace of how we live and work, and how this can distract us from what really matters. For me, walking has become one w ..read more

Hi! My name is Nasreen Khan. I am the Manager of Communications for UUMFE, but in my life outside of UUMFE, I am a visual artist based in Indianapolis. I make art inspired by my relationship with the natural world. If you got our Winter Postcard and are wondering about the art, take a look at this video and read the blog below. I live in a neighborhood of Indianapolis called Haughville. It is one of the highest crime, lowest income neighborhoods in the city–but it is my home. This past winter, development on some low income housing started on the land along the river. While I am pleased that ..read more

Greetings!  UUMFE had a full and fulfilling September living our mission: spiritual care for climate justice! Read below for some highlights! Here is a 3 minute recap video of our time in New York. Community is the antidote to climate despair. We need vibrancy, connection and imagination as a faith movement to meet this aching moment of climate crisis. Throughout September, from New York City to Washington, DC, we joined with partners for our deepest values! We Imagine, We Create:  A Report from the 2023 New York City Unitarian Universalist Environmental Festival  On September ..read more

Will one of our new Board members be YOU? If you have a deep and embodied commitment to uplifting the need to face and adapt to the climate crisis, counter environmental injustice, and support the flourishing of all lifeIf you feel drawn to support and contribute to the many offerings of the UU Ministry for Earth (www.uumfe.org), please reach out to the UUMFE Nominations Committee to share your strengths and desire to be part of our team. We are looking to develop a dynamic, multicultural, multigenerational anti-oppressive Board, inclusive of people of color, trans and gender-nonconforming pe ..read more

Greetings!  UUMFE had a full and fulfilling September living our mission: spiritual care for climate justice! Here are some highlights.  Climate Week in New York City On September 23, 2023, we led an Environmental Festival and Jazz Vespers Worship Service to wrap up Climate Week. Our partner, Fourth Universalist Society in the City of New York hosted in their beautiful building. Even though it poured rain, people walking along Central Park West came inside to find live jazz music, arts and crafts, rituals and the love of Unitarian Universalism. One woman hadn’t been in a church in ma ..read more

Environmental Justice:  Clearing the Air in Pittsburgh Moving from Despair to Action On January 8, 2022, members of the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh engaged in a Congregational Conversation about the environment.  It soon became apparent that many were in a state of paralysis — even despair.  Participants understood very well the profound effects of environmental degradation and associated injustices. But the overwhelming scope of the challenges made action seem futile.  And yet — after sharing their deepest fears and learning of realistic opportunities for action ..read more

A conversation with Pablo DeJesus, Executive Director, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice 1. Who are you and what is your role in Unitarian Universalist Climate Justice work? My name is Pablo DeJesus. I serve as the Executive Director of Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ), headquartered in Washington DC. The mission of UUSJ is to advance equitable national policies and actions aligned with Unitarian Universalist values through engagement, education, and advocacy. One of our four policy priority areas is environ ..read more

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