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The United Church of Christ (UCC) will hold its 2025 Earth Day Summit on Saturday, April 26, at 2 p.m. Eastern time. The event will feature a keynote address by Katharine Hayhoe, a prominent climate scientist known for her books "Saving Us: A Climate Scientist’s Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World" and "A Climate for Change: Global Warming Facts for Faith-Based Decisions." Hayhoe is renowned for her communications across various platforms, including PBS, Showtime, and TED Talks.
The keynote lecture, named the Jim Antal Keynote, will be delivered by Hayhoe. Rev. Brooks Berndt, UCC minister for Environmental Justice, expressed his excitement about her participation, stating, “Hayhoe is one of the most sought-after speakers on climate change not only because of her expertise as one of the world’s leading climate scientists, but also because she is an outstanding communicator. As someone who is deeply rooted in her own faith, she has been an especially powerful leader among climate advocates in churches.”
The summit will also host a panel discussion titled "Climate Justice in a Toxic World," featuring Dr. Marsha Jackson from Southern Sector Rising, Caleb Roberts from Downwinders at Risk, and Emmanuel Davis from Justice for Joppa. Berndt commented on the impactful nature of the panel, “The panelists for the summit will galvanize our commitment to justice as they speak out of their grassroots struggles against environmental racism in North Texas. They will certainly provide a spark that ignites our continued advocacy and activism.”
In addition, the summit will announce the winner of the Dollie Burwell Prophetic Action Award and celebrate the UCC’s newest Creation Justice Churches. Berndt shared the importance of this recognition, stating, “A highlight every summit is to hear from Dollie Burwell, the mother of the environmental justice movement. She continues to be an example and an encouragement for us all. We look forward to announcing the winner of this year’s award named in her honor.”
Berndt also emphasized the significance of the summit, “The summit is truly a lift to our collective spirits. We take time to celebrate the incredible work being done in the UCC. During my nearly ten years as the Environmental Justice minister, I have never before witnessed this level of leadership and engagement from our local churches, and it is only going to grow from here. We will be lifting up our newest Creation Justice Churches and our very first Climate Hope Affiliates. The growth we are experiencing in our ministries has given us much for which to be thankful.”
For those unable to attend in person, a recording will be provided post-event to registered participants. Registration for the annual UCC Earth Summit is available online. The event is sponsored by the United Church Funds and the Cornerstone Fund.
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