Green Ministry

Our Green Ministry is about commitment to green living as we cherish creation and its abundance. 


We believe that God is green and we recognize that the earth is God's own and it is a gift to us who live on it. 


Our Green Ministry attempts and vision include:

  • Recycling and minimizing throwaways
  • Community garden
  • Energy Conservation with energy efficient lighting
  • Exploring geo-thermal heating options for the future
  • Raising awareness about environmental justice issues
  • Connecting the spiritual with the environmental
  • Becoming good stewards of our economic and environmental resources

Solar Renewable
Energy Project

In the summer of 2019, the members and friends at St. John United Church of Christ made a bold choice. “Putting their faith into action,” the congregation embarks on a major project in creation care and environmental justice by “Going Solar” with the installation of a 65 kW Solar Renewable Energy Project.


St. John UCC will install a 65 kW solar energy system this fall, producing enough renewable electric energy to provide 100% (or more) of the power needed to operate our church campus each year. Working with Iconic Energy Solar Professionals and Blackhawk Bank of Rockford, this project will lower the church’s carbon footprint by more than 1000 tons over twenty years. This project will make St. John UCC the first 100% self-generated solar powered faith community in Illinois, and the first 100% renewable electric powered business in Freeport and Stephenson County.


The installation is scheduled to begin in mid-October, with a service of dedication and “Flipping the Switch” on Reformation Sunday, October 27, 2019. More events will take place at the church throughout October to welcome the Freeport community and share information on renewable alternatives and creation justice. Stay tuned for updates!

Bottlecap Bench Project

The Mission and Outreach Leadership team is beginning a new Creation Justice mission, and they need your help. They are collecting plastic bottlecaps and lids that will be turned into Bottlecap Benches for our congregation and neighbors to enjoy!


With these caps and lids, our goal is to purchase eight 6-foot, rainbow benches with backs for use outside the church building. We are partnering with Green Tree Plastics and their ABC Promise Partnership to show others the value of recycling. To reach our goal, we need to collect 1,600 pounds of bottlecaps and lids. A list of acceptable caps and lids is included in the newsletter: https://s3.amazonaws.com/.../docu.../10-15-2020--TIDINGS.pdf


A gray tote labeled Bottlecap Benches is located in the Atrium entrance for your convenience. Let’s see how far we can be by New Year’s Day!