A Message from the Director of Church Relations and Philanthropy: Faith, Purpose, and Shared Responsibility

As people of call, our faith calls us to love our neighbors, care for creation, and seek a world where dignity and opportunity are shared by all. From the opening chapters of Scripture (Genesis 2:15), humanity is entrusted with the responsibility to tend and keep the earth­—not as owners, but as stewards accountable to God. This sacred trust extends beyond our sanctuaries into the daily decisions that shape the communities we live in, the economies we navigate, and in planning well for the future before us.

In a time marked by environmental strain, widening inequality, and economic uncertainty, the question before us is: Are we willing to listen to our world and respond with courage and wisdom?

Sustainability is a theological conviction rooted in justice and care for God’s people and planet. When we invest with intention on behalf of our members’ retirement assets, it is because we are listening and responding to the needs of our world. We align our resources with our shared United Church of Christ values, affirming that financial decisions are a moral imperative in creating a just world for all.

Faith-led investing recognizes that capital can be a force for good in advancing fair labor practices, environmental responsibility, and inclusive growth in underrepresented communities, while also honoring our fiduciary responsibility to safeguard long-term retirement security for those who have faithfully served the church. This is achieved through our partners like the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) and Ceres Investor Network, and direct engagement with asset managers such as Lumos Capital and Lombard Odier, which are featured in the Penson Boards’ sustainability report, Because of Ministry…Stewarding Your Assets for a More Just World.

Sustainable investing reflects a shared responsibility to balance purpose with prudence, and theology with real-world impact. By integrating sustainability and sound financial oversight of your retirement assets, we witness the caring of creation through the financing of projects working to improve sustainable practices and the technologies that support them, advancing socioeconomic justice, sustaining our environment through energy efficiency initiatives­, and so much more. These are all expressions of love for God and neighbor.

May you be inspired by the thoughtful investment decisions made on your behalf that are helping to build a stronger, more just, and sustainable future.