Author: Rev. Wells

Rev. Wells was invited to give the invocation at the Pinellas County School Board meeting that was held at Lakewood High School on Tuesday Feb. 25, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. Here is what was said:

In the Christian tradition, our scriptures include a story about people bringing children to Jesus to be blessed and the disciples basically shooing them away.  Jesus is remembered for welcoming the children and saying, “Let the children come to me for to such belongs the commonwealth of God.”

So as Christians we add our voice to the many religions, spiritual traditions, and cultures that place sacred value upon the lives of children and youth.

Let us join together in prayer:

We gather in gratitude for children and youth and all that they teach us about awe and delight. They rekindle our love of learning. They draw forth our compassion and creativity. They school us in patience and persistence. Children and youth are our teachers as we pursue what it means to be fully human.

We give thanks for all who are part of the educational system – parents and families, administrators, custodians, coaches, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, technical and support staff, elected officials, and, of course, teachers and students. Together let us seek wonder in the world around us and within us.  May we all learn to live together in peace on a healthy, thriving planet. Amen.

Covenant Affirming

Lakewood United Church of Christ as

 A Creation Justice Church

The congregation of LUCC believes that all beings in the Sacred Web of life are ecologically interconnected and interdependent, and that we should care for and live in balance with the rest of Creation.  We acknowledge that the abuses of Creation inevitably cause environmental and human exploitation and suffering.  We realize that race, class, and global inequality cause some to suffer more than others.

We affirm that Creation Justice is a core commitment of the Christian faith and that our mission is to “work for God’s peace and justice throughout creation” (LUCC Mission Statement).  Our goal is not only to cherish creation, the land, and the earth itself, but also to restore living in balance with all of Creation and the Sacred. 

To work toward healing and conservation of the environment for a better quality of life for all Creation, with an urgent sense of calling Lakewood United Church of Christ covenants to:

• Communicate through our actions and ministry to all who encounter our congregation that we cherish the restoration and renewal of creation

• Educate ourselves and others on critical issues related to healing and preserving the environment and the impact on all Creation

• Support public policies, regulations, laws, and funding that benefit the environment and protect vulnerable communities

• Participate through advocacy and action in initiatives to address local and global threats to our environment including partnering with environmental justice allies in the wider community

• Reduce climate change by decreasing our use of fossil fuels and lowering our carbon footprint

• Encourage individuals in the congregation and beyond to implement this covenant in their personal lives

We will apply this covenant to all aspects of the life of the church, including the buildings and grounds.   We commit to doing an annual review of our progress in fulfilling this covenant.   

Therefore Be It Resolved That

Lakewood United Church of Christ declares itself to be a Creation Justice Church and continues to commit to working “for peace and justice throughout creation”.

November 11, 2018

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”.