UCC leader to Climate Leadership Summit: The Church is a Steward of God's creation

May 02, 2019

Written by Connie Larkman

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The General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ took the stage at the American Climate Leadership Summit (ACLS19) on Thursday, calling on people of faith to be stewards of, not minions over, God's creation.

The Rev. John C. Dorhauer, part of a panel of four faith leaders called to share religious community commitments to climate action, said that the vocation of the Church is to be a steward of all that God created.

"The UCC has long been committed to the work of justice," Dorhauer said. "If we can’t resolve this issue around climate change, it will resolve all other justice issues for us. Our singular vocation should be the restoration of the planet.”

Dorhauer is one of a diverse group of 500 leaders converging in Washington, D.C., May 1-2, with the goal making environmental action a national priority. ACLS19, organized by ecoAmerica, hopes to identify breakthrough strategies and ideas to create national progress on climate care.

The UCC leader shared the denomination's dedication to the 3 Great Loves campaign (Love of Children, Love of Neighbor, Love of Creation), noting how sharing stories — which detail UCC congregations involvement in earth care and advocacy around climate action — has become a powerful tool in prompting and encouraging new ministries.