And the winners are: Budding artists depict ‘seeds of hope’ in 2026 Climate Hope Art Contest by Charles Jefferson, Jr. | published on Jun

And the winners are: Budding artists depict ‘seeds of hope’ in 2026 Climate Hope Art Contest by Charles Jefferson, Jr. | published on Jun 2, 2026 More than 60 churches, across 26 states, and 354 participating children and teen artists — with the youngest artist just two-years-old — joined together to promote environmental justice and care for the planet they love.  Wrapping up its annual contest that began last fall, the United Church of Christ’s Environmental Justice Ministries announced the winning Climate Hope art contest entries. The budding artists and their work were presented during a virtual ceremony held on Saturday, April 25.  The winners, representing their age categories, were:  Ages 6 and Under: Brayden, a six-year-old from Smith Memorial Congregational UCC in Hillsboro, New Hampshire;  Ages 7-9: Viviana, an eight-year-old from Hillsboro First UCC, Hillsboro, Oregon; Ages 10-13: Mahalia, twelve-year-old from Church of the Good Shepherd, Ann Arbor, Michigan; Ages 14-17: Serena, a seventeen-year-old from Congregational Church of South Hempstead, South Hempstead, New York; And, the Overall Winner: Leah, a twelve-year-old from First Church in Belfast UCC, Belfast, Maine. The winners of the Climate Hope Art Contest in each category. Judging was based on how the artist articulated the Climate Hope theme for 2026, “A Future with Hope.” Judges also factored in artistic ability and whether the artwork would fit on a postcard. The winners will serve now as a young advocates with the offices of their congress members and tour the Capitol, learning how to bring their faith values to life in the halls of power. The winning art will additionally serve as the 2026 artwork for the advocacy postcards of Climate Hope Affiliates, a joint program of the United Church of Christ and Creation Justice Ministries that involves ecumenical chapters throughout the country. The overall winner of the Climate Hope Art Contest, Leah, age 12 from First Church in Belfast UCC, Belfast, Maine. The Rev. Brooks Berndt, the UCC’s Minister for Environmental Justice, says the art contest serves as a reminder that children have the power to help adults act and make necessary changes for the environment.  “Whenever I share a slideshow of the finalists at a church, it never fails to prompt audible responses from the audience that reveal how much their hearts are moved and their minds provoked,” said Berndt. “Art connects them with what fundamentally moves them to act. They care deeply about the world their children and grandchildren are inheriting.” The ceremony in its entirety can be viewed below and on the UCC’s YouTube Channel.  Content on ucc.org is copyrighted by the National Setting of the United Church of Christ and may be only shared according to the guidelines outlined here. Categories: United Church of Christ News Get the UCC in your inbox! Sign up for the weekly UCC News Digest First Name * Last Name * Email * Mobile Phone I agree to receive email communications from the UCC. Privacy Policy   Send me text updates.   Submit Related News United Church of Christ News Drawing the Line Decision making is complex and requires starting somewhere in determining whether support is... Read More United Church of Christ News Five ways churches can celebrate Pride Month: Resources to worship, witness, love loudly The start of June marks the beginning of Pride Month, the month designated to honor the 1969... Read More United Church of Christ News The United Methodist Church approves use of OWL sexuality education curriculum in its congregations Together with the United Church of Christ and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA),... Read More