Our story
With love for the Earth and concern about climate change, members of River Falls churches First Congregational United Church of Christ and St Bridget Catholic Community joined for study and conversation. Together they read and explored Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato Si: On the Care of our Home.” Challenged and inspired, the participants agreed to continue their work together. They hosted Earth-care speakers and the new group grew. After a few years, the group was meeting monthly, the name “Hope for Creation” was adopted, and River Falls faith communities were invited to participate in Hope for Creation. In 2021, Hope for Creation became a partner of Wisconsin Interfaith Power & Light https://wisconsinipl.org/.
TODAY & TOMORROW
Hope for Creation continues to partner for a sustainable future. We gather with gratitude for our Earth home and fellow creatures. We support sustainable acts such as carbon footprint reduction for individuals and groups. We advocate for government and organizational policies to reduce climate change and to heal our Earth. H4C invites all River Falls residents who share a love and concern for the Earth to join H4C. For more information, leave a message in the “Contact” section of this website.
Hope for Creation continues to work closely with the City of River Falls and the Office of Sustainability at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. Both organizations have joined H4C as member organizations. Hope for Creation is starting to have partner organizations: the first two, the Kinni Corridor Collaborative and the River Falls Chamber of Commerce, will be formally acknowledged and welcomed at the April 2022 meeting. H4C looks forward to further partnerships with other local organizations who are dedicated to honoring our Earth and to sustainability.
Previous H4C Community offerings have included:
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Earth - based “Welcoming Advent” gatherings including a prayer walk along the River
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Earth Day outdoor gatherings
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Speakers, addressing climate change, both in person and virtual, including meteorologist and author Paul Douglas and professor and priest Fr. Bud Grant
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Virtual book studies: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and The Story of More by Hope Jahren
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Community - wide event: “Partnering For Our Sustainable Community”
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Support for River Falls churches “Green Teams”
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Support / resources for churches planning solar panel installations