April Sunday services are at our Haddam Campus
An Open & Affirming Congregation

Becoming a Green Church

The United Congregational Church of Haddam and Higganum have applied to become a UCC “Green Church”.

What is a Green Church?

The United Church of Christ (UCC) designation of a church as a “Creation Justice Church” (or “Green Church”) signifies a congregation’s commitment to environmental stewardship and justice, encompassing theology, institutional practices, awareness, advocacy, and broader movement connections. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Here’s a more detailed explanation: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

  • What it means: A Creation Justice Church, or Green Church, is a UCC congregation that has discerned and committed to a specific set of actions and practices related to environmental care and justice. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
  • How it works: [1, 3]
    • Creation Justice Covenant: Congregations develop a covenant that reflects their commitment to environmental justice. [1, 3]
    • Five-Step Process: The UCC outlines a five-step process for becoming a Creation Justice Church, including creating a leadership group, reflecting on current practices, drafting a covenant, voting to adopt the covenant, and submitting an application. [1, 3]
    • Four Dimensions: The application is based on guiding questions for the four dimensions of a Creation Justice Church: Theology and Worship, Institutional Life and Practice, Circles of Awareness and Advocacy, and Connections to a Broader Movement. [1]
  • Significance: The Creation Justice Churches program is a way for UCC congregations to deepen their commitment to the environment and to work together to care for God’s creation. [5, 6]

Generative AI is experimental.

If you would like more information, please get in touch with Kristin Battistoni.

[1] https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/justice-local-church-ministries/efam/environmental-justice/creation-justice-churches/how_it_works_becoming_a_creation_justice_church/

[2] https://www.sneucc.org/green-congregation-challenge

[3] https://www.ucc.org/our_path_to_a_green_church/

[4] https://fcceugene.org/social-justice/green-team/

[5] https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/justice-local-church-ministries/efam/environmental-justice-ministries/

[6] https://www.ucc.org/what-we-do/justice-local-church-ministries/efam/environmental-justice/creation_justice_churches/

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