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If you missed an online session, check out our archives below, or visit our YouTube Channel.   As well, this page also contains important supplemental videos, such as the talk by President Veazey on the importance of the issue of climate change.  For convenience, we start with the most recent video; following that they are listed by Date.

MOST RECENT VIDEO 
[If the video directly below is not what you want, the remaining archived videos are listed further below, by Date, starting with the earliest ones].

  • Description:  This lunch-time session during World Conference affirmed that the climate crisis is an issue that belongs as a church issue - it IS a faith thing! After going through a brief overview of how the climate became a crisis, the presentation delves into health hazards, sacrifice zones, and other forms of injustice whereby those least responsible pay the heaviest price. Given our recent counsel to stand with the marginalized, the climate crisis is clearly a church justice issue. Another tie-in is how this issue badly violates any sense of the sacredness of creation.

    While there are many things that can be done, this session focuses on fossil fuel reduction (& eventual elimination) via divestment, which was Resolution G-5 at World Conference, and passed, along with two other climate resolutions from other bodies. This session will be valuable either as a brief hard-hitting primer plus key action, or as a highly motivating refresher.



SESSION ARCHIVES:

Phase 1: The Sacredness of Creation  (Sessions during the summer and fall of 2020)

   Session 1: Nature as Refuge and Solace, Especially During This Time of Pandemic (video to come)



 
 
    Climate Change Meditations on Genesis
    {These brief meditations from Sessions 1 to 4, remind us of our place within all Creation.
     Revisit these whenever you feel the desire to reconnect or re-anchor 
     your sense of Creation and your place within it!}





 
 
 
 
Phase 2: From Crises to Transformation: The Science and Implications of Climate Change

 
 



   Dec. 31, 2021 - Jan. 1, 2022: Prayer Vigil
  • To view the schedule and descriptions of each session, go to Prayer Vigil Schedule; 
  • Videos coming soon;


   Jan. 09, 2022: Systemic Solutions: Glasgow and Climate Policies 201
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   October 16, 2022: Deep Gladness Meets Climate Action 
  • Description: Dr. Mark I. Wallace explores questions about the spiritual & physical relationships between us (human creatures), God (the Living Spirit in all things), and all creatures and Creation. Drawing on his Indigenous sensitivities, biblical scholarship, and work as a Christian eco-theologian, Dr. Wallace shares his experiences & thoughts on “Christian animism” and ways that we, too, might experience the re-enchantment of the world. 
  • Download (PDF): Chats, a Poem and Further Comments 
 

   March 26, 2023: Climate Impacts on Global Security 
  • Description: Dr. David Anderson, with his academic background in international policy, his personal military experience, and his knowledge of NATO, brings a global aspect to this issue, not just a USA perspective. In many countries, it isn’t just the military but the entire foreign affairs/defense policy establishments that are aware of climate crises and engaging in the preparations to deal with the resulting instability. David explores the ways climate intersects with and amplifies the global threats in today’s world.
  •  Attributions from video [PDF}: In Their Welfare Sources & Attributions   
  • Chats: Chats     


  • Description: Due to the enthusiastic reception to his March 26 presentation, Dr. David Anderson returns to take a deeper dive into this subject, centered on the questions "What now?" and "So what?".  See March 26 Description for fuller information on content and Dr. Anderson's background.
  • Book and Article Referrals from David, and from Chats: Resource List 
  • Chats: Chats    


October 1, 2023: Climate Emergency! (Now What?)
  • Description: This exciting session - from the church's top leadership - comes after Community of Christ overwhelmingly voted to declare a Climate Emergency at the April 2023 World Conference! But it must be more than a single act.
         Presiding Bishop Ron Harmon, along with one of his Counselors, Bishop Carla Long, share their views on what has already been done; they outline some of the actions they intend to take; as well as possibilities at other church levels. Bishop Harmon makes a sharp distinction between simple eco. concerns versus a true Climate Emergency. This session is sobering, motivating and hopeful if the full church appropriately responds, including participating ecumenically with others who see the seriousness of the Climate Crisis. This is a highly worthy session and could not be more timely!
  • Initial Reflections from First Presidency: First Presidency Reflections
  • Actual Resolution on Climate Emergency: WRC1325: Resolution on The Climate Emergency
  • Chats: Chats_Oct_1.txt


  • Description: This session continues the implications of declaring a "Climate Emergency" that was started in our October session, where Presiding Bishop Ron Harmon and Counselor Carla Long started outlining actions the church is or will be taking.

    In November's session, Sarah Paulos, of Interfaith Power and Light, shares a wide variety of programs they have developed, and have been used by churches across the U.S. That is followed by a discussion both on those examples as well as what our churches are doing or intend to do. Thus this session becomes a rich starting point for considering practical steps in reducing our carbon footprint, whether a church or as individuals.


December 3, 2023: Advent, Climate and Non-Violent Action: Igniting Fire in our Bones
  • Description: We continue this exciting Fall series of declaring a Climate Emergency by examining the Biblical roots of non-violent direct action. Many people are not comfortable doing this type of action. Theologian Rachie Ross and Mike Mullins will explore its honored place in bringing about change, using examples in the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament, allowing us to see how it fits with our Christian principles of peace.


January 7, 2024: Taking the Next Step Together: Support Groups for Climate Action 
  • Description: The purpose of this session (& Jan. 28) is explicitly to allow the participants the chance to organize "Support Groups" around a variety of topics. Near the start of this session, the major topics are presented including possible sub-topics within them. We know that in general people commit more readily and maintain it better, if done in a supportive group environment. People can come & go and come back; they can switch groups; and so on. And topics can be repeated.

    If you are currently interested in being part of a group, select the Contact tab & let us know your interests.


January 28, 2024: The Next Step Together: Time to Join a Climate Support Group 
  • Description: This session marks an exciting new phase in our Climate Series - the creation of Support Groups! We are social creatures and thus joining a support group will hopefully enhance action. While the main Climate Series will continue, the support groups will cover whatever topics people are interested in exploring and taking action on. People can come & go and come back; they can switch groups; and so on. And topics can be repeated.

    If you are currently interested in being part of a group, select the "Resources" Tab to see the list of current Support Groups, then use the Form to submit your choice.


February 25, 2024: Grassroots Organizing for a Sustainable Water Future
  • Description: Dani Lindawood briefly goes over the importance of water and then explores how to effectively organize at the grassroots level to protect water from its various harms. Her sharing comes from her years of experience of creating or help organize such groups, such as Girls Gone Wild, or Wellington Water Watchers, where they succeeded in fighting a quarry proposal and halting the establishment of a glass plant. She is recipient of the River Network Development Support award.


March 17, 2024: Permaculture: Design for Living 
  • Description: Permaculture (from the words ‘permanent’ – think sustainable – ‘agriculture’) is a design system that utilizes natural patterns and rhythms to create self-sustaining ecosystems. This can be done on any scale, from a small garden to large-scale farms. Kelda Lorax (Oregon State U. Permaculture program, & a member of the Permaculture Women's Guild) will go through the nature and process of permaculture, eventually using an actual church campground (starts at about 58 minute mark) – Samish Island, WA – as an example.


April 7, 2024: Migration and Displacement in a Changing Climate
  • Description: Dr. McLeman, a. world-class climate scientist on migration who co-authored the 2022 IPCC Report, provided the latest trends and forecasts on how climate is already impacting the movement of people, both within a country (even the US) and across borders, and what the future holds. He ended with actions we can take to help address this dynamic.


May 5, 2024: Live Simply - So Others May Simply Live 
  • Description: Dr. Ruth Valerio explores the notion and benefits of 'simplicity'. In our frenzied world that is full of consumerist voices, obligations, concerns about living standards, prices, care for aging parents or ensuring children get the activities they need - let alone a world whose footprint continues to badly damage the earth's carrying capacity - Dr. Valerio's session is a highly valued topic to be absorbed.


June 9, 2024: Defending Forests - A Spectrum of Strategies
  • Description: As we enter the summer camping season, consider the vital role healthy forests play in human well-being. Our forest ecosystems face extreme challenges from human activities, and forests are essential for the flourishing of the planet and all her creatures!

    John Buckley shares both where we contributed to the problems of the increasing number and intensity of forest fires, and some strategies to best reduce these growing threats to the vitality of our ecosystems. This will include the wisdom of Indigenous ways of forest management, as well as the deep and broad insight's John has gained over the decades as Executive Director, Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center, and his former 13 years with the US Forest Services, including his role as one of the elite “Hotshot” forest firefighters.

  • Response to Question RE: Forest Certifications (FSI vs. FSC): John has provided the following link comparing the 2 major US certification labels. Please use the Contact Form if you have further questions, and we will pass them to John: Comparing two Forest Certifications 



September 22, 2024: "At the Crossroads: Igniting Faith and Justice in a Time of Change"
  • Description: Community of Christ President-Designate Stassi Cramm was the keynote presenter to start our 2024-25 Climate Crisis Series. She brought her discerning expertise to explore the notion of prophetic courage, as the swirl of numerous voices tug at our faith. In doing so, she helped ground the talk in some of the best views of critical topics such as stewardship, just transition ,the mutuality within the vast interconnected web of life, transformation, and faithful steps. She also gave personal anecdotes. Stassi left us with seven key questions. Both the questions a a DRAFT of her remarks are below in text form.
  • Stassi's Seven Questions  
  • Entire DRAFT Transcript of Stassi's Presentation



October 20, 2024: "Responding to the Climate Emergency: WC 2025 Climate Resolutions"
  • Description: This session explored the three climate resolutions being proposed for the Community of Christ 2025 World Conference. They were created by the church's Human Rights Team, Earth Stewardship Team and the GPNW's North American Climate Justice Team. A representative for each Resolution gave very informative and stimulating background and implications for their resolution, followed by a Q&A time.
  • Additional material and/or links will be added when available. 




November 24, 2024: "Toward a Just Transition: Earth Approaching Tipping Points"
  • Description: This session listed several climate tipping points that will dramatically worsen the climate crisis, and thus reinforce why we must transition away from fossil fuels. But it must be a “just” transition, where no one is left behind. Where we hold fast to the vision that “All may flourish”.

    We will spend a few webinars on various aspects of a “Just Transition”. This whole dynamic is often pitted as “economic livelihood versus climate transition” – if you want the needed climate transition, it will cost jobs. And that is a possible outcome. But the influence of God’s Good Spirit can instill authentic hope and prophetic courage that can bring all together and turn the dynamic into “both/and” – livelihoods, whether the same or supported paths for new ones, that match the day!



January 26, 2025: "Gathering Hope and Courage for a Just Transition"
  • Description: The January session was altered due to the previous six days wherein the new U.S. government was installed, and quickly started to implement its campaign agenda Restricting this to issues of climate, the new President seemed to deny a ‘Climate Emergency’ (which our church upholds), given one of his executive orders pertained to an “energy emergency”, and wants to undo or restrict most previous climate initiatives [Columbia U. Summary of Executive Orders].

    Thus, we felt the need to be nimble by: (a) allowing some space for people to express their feelings; and, (b) instilling a sense of “fierce hope” and courage in light of such quickly shifting sands, given the immense influence the U.S. can have on global dynamics and the urgency of the climate issue. The content was non-partisan, focusing on the principles that anchor us to our vision of the "flourishing of life for all".



February 23, 2025: "Just Transition: Towards a Sustainable Energy Future"
  • Description: This session does a quick review of why we must "transition" off fossil fuels, then explores the dramatically increasing renewable energy accomplishments. The session ends with the six key criteria to ensure the transition is a "just" transition.



March 30, 2025: "A Just Transition Leaves No One Behind: Health"
  • Description: Natalia Reyes-Becerra from the American Lung his session does a quick review of why we must "transition" off fossil fuels, then explores the dramatically increasing renewable energy accomplishments. The session ends with the six key criteria to ensure the transition is a "just" transition.



April 27, 2025: "A Just Transition Leaves No One Behind: What? There's More?"
  • Description: The webinar continues the overall theme of a “Just Transition” and “Leaving No One Behind.” This extra emphasis is to help counter the extremely strong narrative that any such transition will destroy people’s livelihoods and the economy. The latter scenario is possible and would be very unjust. But our human creativity and compassion can open up (and already has in some cases) the necessary paths to the future that are very Just and caring.

    It includes wide-ranging possibilities that take a “climate versus jobs” scenario and transforms it into a “both/and” scenario that leaves us solidly founded in a just and flourishing future for all! Also included is an exploration of divesting from fossil fuel, which is a Resolution at the 2025 World Conference.


June 05, 2025: "Climate Action IS a Faith Thing!"
  • Description: This lunch-time session during World Conference affirmed that the climate crisis is an issue that belongs as a church issue - it IS a faith thing! After going through a brief overview of how the climate became a crisis, the presentation delves into health hazards, sacrifice zones, and other forms of injustice whereby those least responsible pay the heaviest price. Given our recent counsel to stand with the marginalized, the climate crisis is clearly a church justice issue. Another tie-in is how this issue badly violates any sense of the sacredness of creation.

    While there are many things that can be done, this session focuses on fossil fuel reduction (& eventual elimination) via divestment, which was Resolution G-5 at World Conference, and passed, along with two other climate resolutions from other bodies. This session will be valuable either as a brief hard-hitting primer plus key action, or as a highly motivating refresher.





 
 
 
OTHER VIDEOS:
 
  • Description: How could a lush, tropical-sounding place like Hawaii, catch fire? This 12-minute supplemental video to our Climate Series, delves into some of the legacy circumstances that made such a fire almost inevitable. This brief exploration, taking a watershed perspective, touches on colonialism and its plantations, how the natural landscape was changed, how water rights shifted, warnings through the years were ignored, and so on.


 
 
 
 
Global Church Members Affected by Climate Change
 
 
 
 
 
 
Additional Topics and Perspectives 
     This section contains additional topics and perspectives - sometimes eclectic - not always covered in the main sessions.  This section is included because: (a) climate change is such an all-encompassing issue that the main sessions cannot adequately cover all subject matter; and (b) we believe in Diversity and thus this section allows a broader set of perspectives which should enable a resonance with a wider audience.
 
 
 
 
OTHER RESOURCES:
 
The Gift of a Poem: The following poem, created for us by Karen Kunkel, was gifted to us for our Climate series: A Bridge of Hope.  (Basic PDF text is Here);39.35,.
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