We are so excited to have Rev. Valerie Freseman and Dr. Anne-Marie McCartan on the UUMFE Board!
Valerie is the contract minister at the Unitarian Universalists of Southold, a UU Congregation in the heart of Long Island’s wine and farm country. When asked what she loves about UUMFE, Rev. Valerie said "The resources and opportunities UUMFE provide strengthen our resolve and keep us grounded in hope, something we need both in times of strength and in times when we feel defeated. Knowing that there are others who need this kind of grounding as much as I do fills me with a sense of hope."
Anne-Marie has oriented her life around earth-centered activities since retiring from a career in higher-education policy and management positions. In addition to community volunteer positions, she leads the Earth Care Team at First Unitarian Universalist Church of Richmond (VA). That love for connection is exactly what led her to UUMFE, too. "I love UUMFE because it connects me with other earth-centered Unitarian Universalists from across the continent."
You can read more about them on our leadership webpage here.
This section includes events hosted or co-hosted by UUMFE.
REGISTER NOW! UUMFE Community Read
The UU Ministry for Earth 2025-26 Community Read begins this month! We will be reading “What if We Get it Right?” by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson. We will meet on the last Tuesday of every month at 4:45 PM PT / 7:45 PM ET for a total of 9 sessions, beginning September 30.
Faiths 4 Climate Justice: Sun Day is part of a global, multi-faith mobilization organized by GreenFaith, inviting communities of faith and spirit to take bold public action to demand an end to fossil fuel expansion, equitable investment in clean energy, and policies that prioritize frontline communities and workers. Between now and the Fall Equinox, houses of worship are forming Soular Circles, planning climate pilgrimages, and preparing sacred actions to culminate in coordinated events across the globe from September 19–21.
Here are some Sun Day events that congregations have shared with UUMFE:
Saturday, Sept 20, 12–3 pm, First Unitarian Church of San José: Interfaith Gathering with diverse faith and community leaders to share knowledge and strategize around advancing clean energy. RSVP: bit.ly/sjsaturday
Sunday, Sept 21, 12:30–2:30 pm, First Unitarian Church of San José: Interfaith March & Picnic for Climate Justice. Gather at the church, march to City Hall for a rally and photo, then return to St. James Park for a community picnic. Family-friendly—bring signs, banners, and a picnic lunch. RSVP: bit.ly/sjsunday
Sunday, Sept 21, 2-3:15 pm, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Somerset Hills: Community Solar Info Session. UUCSH is joining faith communities around the country to spread the good news about solar energy as part of an initiative called SunDay. All are invited to join us to learn more about Community Solar in NJ.
This section includes contributions from people in the UUMFE community.
If you have something you made and want us to consider including it in our next eNews, check and see if it aligns with our content guidelines. If you think it's a good fit, please email comms@uumfe.org.
This section includes contributions from organizations who are partners with UUMFE in the intersectional work of climate justice in Unitarian Universalism, such as the UU Climate Justice Coalition.
Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community (UUJEC):
Demystifying AI-Powered Militarization and its Social and Ecological Consequences
September 11, 2025 8pm ET • 7pm CT • 6pm MT • 5pm PT
Dr. Nicholas Rabb will explain the nuances of AI technology – what it can and cannot do – and its interaction with existing social systems. Drawing on emerging declarations from U.S. military bodies, as well as recent AI-powered military operations in Palestine and against U.S. immigrants, he will illuminate the consequences of current and future projects where AI is being used to advance human and ecological suffering. But perhaps more importantly, Rabb will make clear how AI is just another tool in service of old and persistent aims – capitalist growth, international control, domestic compliance – and that these sites of struggle should remain our focus even in the coming AI era.
UUA Strategies to Advance Climate Justice - Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting
September 17, 2025 7pm ET • 6pm CT • 5pm MT • 4pm PT
President Sofía’s UU Climate Justice Working Group was established to identify where our faith calls us to lead, beyond narrowly defined “net zero” goals towards equitable decarbonization, community resilience, and a just transition from fossil fuels to a clean energy future. Join Mathew Jensen, UUA Senior Investment Officer, and Rachel Myslivy, UUA Climate Justice Strategist, to learn about the Working Group’s Draft Commitments for Culture and Resources. Come together for shared learning and mutual supports with other UUs transforming our congregations through climate justice. Green Sanctuary 2030 community meetings take place on the third Wednesday of the month at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET for 90 minutes.
Get to know the new Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice! Green Sanctuary orientations provide an overview of the process and allow for plenty of time to get all of your questions answered. Come learn how to transform your congregation through climate justice.
Claiming Our Power to Fight for a Clean Energy Future - Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting
October 15, 2025 7pm ET • 6pm CT • 5pm MT • 4pm PT
Advocating at Public Utility Commissions is an incredibly impactful way to shape our energy future. It's also a hugely overlooked opportunity! Public Utility Commissions (PUCs) regulate utility prices, resource planning and acquisition, reliability and quality of service regulation. If you’re not sure what that all means, you’re not alone! Advocating for fair utility regulations can be intimidating to outsiders, which benefits those who are more concerned with profit than people. PUCs wield significant power and their decisions affect clean energy and air quality, impacting both greenhouse gas mitigation and climate resilience. Learn how the UU Georgia Legislative Action Network is making good trouble for climate justice as they remind the Georgia Utility Commissioners and Elected Officials that people have the power to choose a just and moral path for our energy future.
Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care
How can we center the inherent worth and dignity of every person in climate disasters?
Every community is different, and climate impacts will vary at the hyper-local level. Some neighborhoods may be devastated by a hurricane while others experience only minor impacts. Adequate preparation and response for climate disasters must center the lived experiences and impacts of climate disasters on those most at risk. Learn more, download our toolkit, and take action.
This section includes events and news UUMFE wants to share from the greater climate justice advocacy community.
GreenFaith USA:
Faiths 4 Climate Justice: Sun Day
September 19-21, 2025
From September 19–21, people of faith and spirit will rise together for Faiths 4 Climate Justice: Sun Day—a global mobilization for climate justice rooted in sacred action. UU Ministry for Earth is a proud co-sponsor of this nationwide movement.
Together we are generating Soular Power—organizing Soular Circles and a constellation of courage to demand bold action from world leaders and our communities: an end to fossil fuel subsidies, protection for frontline communities, and a just transition to a livable future.
Join us for National Public Lands Day on September 27, 2025! Since 1994, this annual event on the fourth Saturday of September has been the nation's largest single-day volunteer effort. Last year, over 130 national parks hosted events with 7,600 volunteers donating an impressive 41,500 hours of service.
All national parks that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone on September 27, 2025 in celebration of National Public Lands Day.
This section includes ways to treat yourself for your commitment to climate justice work!
This month's recipe is vegan cheesecake with crumble topping from Lazy Cat Kitchen. The recipe calls for raspberries, but you can use blackberries, figs, or anything else that’s currently in season where you live. Click here to read the recipe.
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
