LUCC Creation Justice
2019 Annual Review
February 23. 2020
After two years of assessment, discussion, and change, planned and actual, LUCC applied for and was granted on February 12, 2019 the Creation Justice Church status by the Environmental Ministries Program of the United Church of Christ national office. Our Covenant Statement (attached) provides general philosophy, goals, and direction for our environmental justice work and requires that we review our progress annually. Thus this report is offered to the congregation as a summary of steps taken in 2019 to live up to and extend our creation justice commitment and the list of 2020 Initiatives to guide our work this coming year.
2019 Initiatives:
- Green Practices in Fellowship Hall
- Recycling container
- Voluntary ban on single use plastics
- Environmental themed sermons and music – Rev. Wells and Music Director Hilton Jones
- UCC State Conference in Orlando, FL– Presentation on Creation Justice Church process to help other churches move forward
- Advocacy and support for petitions
- Citizens Climate Lobby – Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act
- Facility and Grounds
- EV Charging Station installed and soon to be available
- Solar Panel installers interviewed for future purchase decision
- Permaculture Group in process of designing sustainable landscaping and grounds
- LED lighting installed in chancel
2020 Initiatives:
- Activate EV charging station and advertise location for community use
- Complete solar panel estimate process – choose installer and continue research for funding
- Represent LUCC Creation Justice work at local events – Earthfest St. Pete, April 4, 2020 at Williams Park, etc.
- Review Permaculture Design when available and make decisions about grounds
- Adult Day Care – Green practices agreement
- Extend Green Practices agreement to other renters
- Continue to expand LED lighting in church
Summary
Although the Creation Justice Task Force provides guidance and energy for setting and working toward our goals for environmentally sustainable living and justice for all, only as a genuinely committed congregation can we hope to live up to our highest ideals. All of us must work together toward fulfilling our covenant to work for “for peace and justice throughout creation”.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 