It is not just that other life forms
are becoming scarce or extinct,
but our experience of and with them is, too.

The results are deep and disturbing.
We not only learn less about these earth others,
but disaffection sets in,
and hence we care less for their well-being.

We do not care about what we do know.

Sallie McFague, Super, Natural Christians

United Greens Earth Ministry

Many United Church members and friends unite to seek information, dialogue and support for taking action on Care of Creation. As the church continues its classes and activities in scripture study, energy-saving, and political advocacy, our United Greens group meet regularly to assess planned activities and world developments, let scripture speak, alert us all, and initiate new approaches.

Past Earth Ministries Events at United Church

The Sustainable Household Challenge
The SHC, sponsored by the Economic Justice Study Group,was intended to give households a chance to examine their own values, practices and personal choices so they can promote better stewardship, community responsibility and a faith-based approach to daily life. In this critical moment for the health of our planet, we examined new ways to care for creation.

The goal of the UCCH Sustainable Household Challenge was for participants to work as a household to change their habits and to document the experience to share with others. We hoped to help participants develop confidence in the power of individuals, households, and communities to make a difference.

During the challenge participants were asked to do the following:

1. record their current habits in a notebook and document their efforts to change.
2. attempt as many of the challenge suggestions and recommendations as possible
3. present and share their experience at the end of the challenge.

Lenten Fasts from Carbon

In 2008, church members learned about "Living the Environmental Tithe," a 40-day calendar to help change wasteful, extravagant habits into Creation-Conserving Earth friendly ones. Church members were encouraged to tithe “At Least Ten Percent for God's Creation.” The word “tithe” means “a tenth” or 10%. The Bible speaks of “tithes and offerings.” So, 10% is a minimum; hence the title, “At Least Ten Percent for God's Creation.”

To make this possible, church members were given a practical 40 Lenten calendar with tips on reducing consumption by 10% every day. The 40 days were divided into six key resources of our lives - water, energy, consumables, food, chemicals/toxins/waste, and alternative giving – with suggestions to help members to reduce their own carbon footprint.  Click here for this Lenten calendar.

During the 2009 Lenten Series we read Plenty: The Challenge of Local Eating by Alisa Smith and JB MacKinnon. Participants explored questions regarding where does our food come from and why does that matter. They also challenged themselves to buy locally during this time of Lent.

Top 10 reasons to eat local food …

1. Locally produced food tastes better.
2. Less packaging means less waste.
3. Fewer greenhouse gases are produced during transportation.
4. You get to run into your friends at the farmers’ market.
5. You don’t have to quit eating spinach.
6. If you join a community garden, you’ll get to know your neighbors and discover that they really are interesting people … despite their barking dog and loud children.
7. Preparing meals from fresh produce can be a great family activity.
8. You’ll meet some really cool farmers … and if you’re lucky, they’ll invite you to the farm to hang out.
9. You’ll mitigate your contribution to climate change (yes, humans “very likely” are responsible).
10. Your great grandkids will be glad you thought of them!

Angela Herrman, Director of website development for Disciples Home Mission, has an article in this month's Disciples World, "Eating Away at the Environment." She is also the co-founder of the Indy Sustainable Food Alliance in Indianapolis.

During our 2010 Lenten Fast From Carbon, United Church members and friends were encouraged to think about ways to reduce carbon usage in response to the global climate crisis by examining where their food was coming from and eating simple “low-carbon” meals for the 40 days of Lent.
Most individuals use carbon to light and heat their home, in transportation and through the food they consume. It is estimated that in this country approximately 20% of our carbon emissions can be traced to food. Members of our church were invited to share their favorite low carbon recipe and a “low-carbon” cook book was created. Click here for this Low-carbon Cookbook.

10 tips to conserve energy

1. Change five lights. Replace your five most frequently used lights with compact florescent bulbs and you’ll use less energy, which means less pollution from power plants.
2. Heat and cool smartly. About half the energy we use in our homes goes to heating and cooling. Change air filters annually, have your system checked annually, and use a programmable thermostat.
3. Buy efficient appliances. A low-energy, low-water-use washing machine will reduce your CO2 emissions by 440 pounds per year. Wash your laundry in warm or cold water.
4. Reduce and recycle. Reducing your garbage by 25% will reduce CO2 emissions by 1,000 pounds per year. Recycle!
5. Don't give energy away. Caulking and weather-stripping around doors and windows can reduce CO2 emissions by 1,700 pounds per year.
6. Take the green way. Leaving your car at home two days a week (walk, bike, take public transit, or telecommute) can reduce your CO2 emissions by 1,590 pounds per year.
7. Slow the flow. If you’re buying a car, look for one that gets more miles to the gallon than your current vehicle. The potential CO2 reduction for a car that gets 32 miles per gallon is 5,600 pounds per year.
8. Be a turnoff. Turn off your lights, TV, video player, stereo, and computer when you aren't using them.
9. Trim your load. Keep your car tuned up and its tires properly inflated. A tune-up can boost your miles per gallon anywhere from 4 to 40 percent; a new air filter could get you 10 percent more miles per gallon.
10. Keep your water heater cozy. If your water heater is more than five years old, wrap it in an insulating jacket. Keep the water heater thermostat no higher than 120 degrees, and you can reduce CO2 emissions by 550 pounds per year.