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 Church of Chapel Hill Earth Ministries

Our congregation provides opportunities to work together in addressing the environmental challenges we face. Currently, the United Earth Ministries (UEM) focuses on creation spirituality events, adult learning programs, legislative issues, and sustainability at our church and in our homes. Our group has initiated projects in such areas as sustainable farming, food, energy and others.

The following list highlights recent adult forum programs and creation spirituality events: 

2011 Adult Forum Energy Series

• Energy Climate Projections 2011-2050
• Cultivating Ecological Thinking
• You Solve the Zero Carbon Puzzle

Eco-Revival

Dr. Eric Mount, ethicist, professor emeritus of religion at Centre College and ordained Presbyterian minister led a "Green Revival" in April 2011 on the sacraments and ecology. The purpose was to build community while healing the earth.

Outdoor Worship May 1, 2011- For the second year we will celebrate our worship service outside. Stations of the stream crossing cover animals, air, water and geology. At each station there was a meditation read by a child and a talk by an adult.
Other resources from United Earth Ministries include:

• 2010 Lenten Cookbook
• 2011 Low Carbon Fun Ideas

Visit by the UCC's Environmental Justice Minister Jim Deming
UCCH hosted a visit by UCC Environmental Justice minister Jim Deming's on June 2, 2011. The United Greens provided a simple meal, and then we talked about the UCC work on environmental justice.

The meeting was attended by representatives from the Eastern North Carolina Association of the United Church of Christ, Community UCC of Raleigh, Binkley Baptist Church, as well as UCCH members.

To read more about this event, please click here.

GOING GREEN

Composting:
UCCH is planning to expand our composting efforts by purchasing a compost bin and providing information on how we can compost our food scraps. More to come!
Click here to find simple and/or detailed guidance for composting.

Gardening:
United Church is fortunate to have a diverse site with a landscape that was planted and is being maintained by a church member to preserve the environment in these ways: low water use, minimal turf with no chemical input, providing wildlife habitat for pollinators, and appreciating the beauty and diversity of nature.

Community Gardens
A number of websites (click here) offer resources on how to start community gardens or how to locate existing gardens.

• NC Botanical Garden -provides classes and information on “conservation of plants in gardens and natural areas and to advance a sustainable relationship between people and nature”.
• NC State University, Department of Horticultural Science
• Orange County Cooperative Extension Service -offers classes, individual advice, and helpful literature on gardening. Soil testing can be done through them as well.

Healthy Local Foods:
Support your local Farmer’s Market. The NC Department of Agriculture’s Farm Fresh website lists farmers’ markets in each county. Click here for Orange County.

The 10% Campaign - The Center for Environmental Farming Systems challenges all North Carolinians to support our local farmers and healthy eating by dedicating 10% of their food budget to local foods. The website lists sources for local food including farmers’ markets, restaurants, grocers, cafeterias, etc. Take the challenge!

Recycling:

• Orange County Solid Waste Management - lists items for recycling plus information on composting
• Earth 911 has listings of recycling resources near you, as well as “green” lifestyle articles see:

Resources for Living Green:

• Practically Green. Go to the Web site and take the five-minute quiz. It’ll help you assess how green you are and help you make a plan for further protecting the earth. Fun, easy, helpful.
• The Daily Green. This is a consumer’s guide to navigating green products. It also has lots of tips on living in an earth-friendly way.
• North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light. This is a faith-based response to the environmental crisis. It emphasizes loving God and all life by caring for creation. It lists available programs and resources for congregations and individuals. It also alerts us to important environmental issues and legislation.
• United Church of Christ – Environmental Ministries. Lists resources (websites, books and periodicals) for individuals and congregations. This website provides information on environmental justice issues and what can be done to address them from individual household to policy level

For more suggestions on how you can help reduce global warming, click here.