Stand Up for Climate

 

  The Witness expands on Friday, October 27, 2017

 The Invitation

Join Me - Fridays at the State House

Every Friday beginning October 6, I will lead a UCC witness at the State House inviting Gov. Charlie Baker to issue an Executive Order halting the construction of or plans for any new natural gas infrastructure in the Commonwealth.
 
Do you have an hour at lunchtime on a Friday between October 6 and November 10?  If so, complete this form and my assistant, Patti Babcock, will get back to you. 

Feel free to share this information with anyone in your church who might be interested, especially climate or environmental activists. Below is a sample announcement for your church bulletin or newsletter through and including November 5; and a suggested spoken worship announcement.  And consider providing worshipers with copies of the attached spiritual discipline for prayerful phoning of the Governor, written by Mass Conference UCC Climate Justice Intern Emma Brewer-Wallin.

We’re not doing this alone!  We are part of a coalition pulled together by the Better Future Project including 350 Mass, Clean Water Action, Toxics Action Center, Massachusetts Sierra Club, UU Mass Action and Elders Climate Action.  Within two weeks, every day at lunchtime there will be a “stand-in” organized by one or another of these coalition partners.

What are we asking of Gov. Baker? Read the letter delivered to Gov. Baker’s office on September 13 – and you’ll see Old South Church’s Rev. John Edgerton and Climate Intern Emma Brewer Wallin in front of Gov. Baker’s office.

 This is a “stand-in” asking Gov. Baker to “Stand Up for Climate.”  We are looking to have increasing numbers as the weeks go on, so if there’s any way you can participate – especially on October 27, November 3 or November 10, please complete this form.  If you can come, sign up and plan to arrive at General Hooker Entrance of the State House between noon and 12:10 PM, wearing clothes that are suitable / dignified. Bring a small sign with a clear message. We’ll also have the UCC Environmental Ministries Banner. The witness will go from 12:10 PM – 12:45 PM.

Sample Bulletin/Newsletter Invitation

Invitation: Stand-In for Climate on Fridays at the State House

Join our UCC Conference Minister the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal and other UCCers this Friday – or any Friday through Nov. 10 – at the State House. The UCC and other organizations are giving Gov. Baker an opportunity to make history by signing an Executive Order to halt the construction of plans for any new fossil fuel infrastructure in the Commonwealth. Studies by AG Maura Healy and others say we don’t need more pipelines, compressors, etc.

Help make Massachusetts a leader in the climate movement.  Learn more and sign-up for this noon-hour “stand-in” at www.macucc.org/standin.

  Friday, October 20, 2017

Sample Spoken Announcement Invitation

Our UCC Conference Minister, Jim Antal, is inviting UCC members to join him at noon on Fridays at the State House in a “stand-In” at Governor Baker’s office. Spend your Friday lunch hour with Rev. Antal and others as the UCC partners with other organizations to invite Gov. Baker to stop building new fossil fuel infrastructure in Massachusetts.  This is an expression of the vote by our UCC national Synod last summer. The sign-up is printed in our bulletin announcement.

Thank you for your commitment to climate

  Friday, October 13, 2017

action! 

 

 

Pictured here on Friday, October 6, 2017 are the Rev. Dr. Nancy Taylor, Senior Minister of Old South Church in Boston, the Rev. Dr. Jim Antal, Minister and President of the Massachusetts Conference United Church of Christ, and the Rev. Ms. Reebee Girash of Eliot Church of Newton.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Vigil for Climate Action at the State House

After weeks of standing in the Governor’s office asking that he issue an executive order halting the development of fossil fuel infrastructure in the Commonwealth, on Monday, November 6 from 6-7pm we will come together as a coalition of leaders and organizations of faith and of non-faith in a candlelight vigil on the State House steps.

This will be the opening day of the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Germany (COP 23), and we will stand as people of hope that Massachusetts might take the lead on climate, even when our country will not. As we consider the intersections of climate justice, we will hear from local leaders of the movement, gather together in moments of silence, song, and hope, and pray for our leaders here in Massachusetts and abroad.

You are welcome to bring organizational signs and banners, but because this is a vigil, we do not recommend protest signs. 

The campaign’s participating groups include: 350 Mass, Toxics Action Center, Massachusetts Conference United Church of Christ, Unitarian Universalists, Elders Climate Action, Sunrise Movement, Massachusetts Sierra Club, Jewish Climate Action Network, Mothers Out Front, divestment student leaders, grassroots anti-pipeline groups, and concerned citizens.
 
Click here to RSVP for the Facebook event

In the News

 

 

 

MACUCC Joining Other Organizations in State House Climate Action

9/20/2017 -  http://www.macucc.org/newsdetail/macucc-represented-at-state-house-climate-action-9349551

 

 

 

MACUCC Represented at State House Climate Action

9/13/2017 - Two Massachusetts Conference representatives took part in a lunchtime stand in at the Massachusetts State House today calling on Governor Charlie Baker to take urgent action on the climate crisis by releasing an executive order to cease all new natural gas infrastructure projects in the Commonwealth.

Emma Brewer-Wallin, who is returning to the Conference as a climate intern, and Old South Church in Boston Associate Pastor John Edgerton took part in today's action, which was organized by Mass Power Forward, a coalition of environmental, climate, community and faith groups. In addition to the Conference, coalition members include: 350 Mass, Clean Water Action, Toxics Action Center, Massachusetts Sierra Club, UU Mass Action and Elders Climate Action.

The stand-in tactic was adopted by Mass Power Forward in the spirit of a recently completed 90-day anti-pipeline sit-in led by Massachusetts resident Andrea Honore, which is credited with leading to the Baker administration’s public health review of a proposed compressor station in Weymouth.  (Read more about the role of the East Weymouth Congregational Church and Pilgrim Church in North Weymouth in that action here.)