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Earth Care Congregations

Likely, you will be seeing this logo more and more around the church, on the website or in weekly or monthly editions of The High Tidings, because our church earns enough points to become nationally certified as an Earth Care Congregation. Earth Care Congregations are congregations that have committed to the “Earth Care Pledge” and accomplish a specific number of actions toward caring for God’s earth in four categories: worship, education, facilities, and outreach. Congregations earning 25 points in each of the four categories will be certified as Earth Care Congregations and receive various honors.  Our church’s application package has been submitted to the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast for official certification, but much more work remains – not only within the church, sanctuary, grounds, Byrne Hall, or the school - but within your home.

Whenever we wonder of the awesome majesty of God, we should look to understanding His wonders by read the opening chapters of Genesis. Because of their love for Christ who is firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15), churches are at times challenged to live in a manner consistent with God's call to not only care for creation, but commune with creation.  Earth Care Congregations are answering the call to the human vocation of “tilling and keeping” the garden from Genesis 2:15.

Because of the work remaining and our understanding that certification is only the genesis of the church’s environmental conserving potential, each year changes among the works of our congregation may bend to become more consistent in care for God’s creation. We hope that the change toward conservation or the church’s effort leads toward similar conservation efforts in your home. Look to the church’s website, publications, bible school, sermons or posted literature to help you explore the resources and change possibilities of the church or your home. The Vestry’s Pledge to become more environmentally conscious of our surroundings, the prompting of the Diocese’ challenge and our desire to preserve and protect all of God’s creations are the these efforts’ driving factors.

Helpful links:

 

1. Worship (Worship Committee)

Earth Day worship services and other special days of celebration (rogation liturgy, blessing of the animals, garden blessing):

  • Episcopal Ecological Network

http://eenonline.org/reflect/liturgy.htm

Scripture readings about the environment:

  • Presbyterians for Earth Care suggested Scriptures

http://www.presbyearthcare.org/resources-docs.html#Scriptures

2. Education (Education Committee)

Find earth care curricula:

  • Eco-Justice Ministries Curriculum Review for all ages

      http://www.eco-justice.org/CurricReview.asp

  • National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program Resources

      http://nccecojustice.org/resources/

3.  Facilities (Buildings and Grounds Committee)

Energy conservation:

  • Perform a professional energy audit

An energy audit critiques the energy efficiency of your buildings and recommends steps to make your buildings more energy-efficient.  Contact your utility company to see if they offer free or low-cost energy audits for houses of worship.

http://eetd.lbl.gov/EnergyCrossroads/2ueeprogram.html

    • Contact your local or state government to learn about incentive programs for energy audits
  • ENERGY STAR for Congregations

https://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations

 

4. Outreach (Outreach/Missions Committee)

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/109350_ENG_HTM.htm

http://www.nrpe.org/howcani/howcani_congVII_D4_01.htm#top