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CREATION JUSTICE MINISTRIES
  • About
    • Mission
    • Staff
    • Work with Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Members and Partners
    • History
  • Campaigns
    • Take Action!
    • Climate Resilience
    • Ocean
    • Public Lands >
      • Public Lands & Church Camps
      • Public Lands: Prayers and Sermons
    • Pastoral Care for Climate Retreats
    • Conservation >
      • What is 30 x 30?
      • California
      • Grand Canyon
    • Youth & Young Adult Engagement
    • Water
    • Endangered
    • Energy >
      • Coal
      • Ideas for Toxic Free Living
    • Climate Change >
      • Climate Change - Get Involved
  • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
  • Resources
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    • Resource Hub (blog)
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      • Pastoral Care for Climate North Carolina
    • Services
    • News
  • Blog
  • Policy Statements/Letters
  • Faithful Climate BIPOC Fellowship
  • New Page

2021 Earth Day Sunday Resource- A Letter from the Editor

1/28/2021

9 Comments

 
On January 20th 2021, we all listened mesmerized and energized by the words of youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman as she read her inaugural poem ‘The Hill We Climb’. The first line of her poem reads “When day comes we ask ourselves, where can we find light in this never-ending shade?” Shrouded in grief and tragedy, the shade of a global pandemic, disproportionately impacting communities of color and exacerbated by the pre-existing condition that is environmental racism, still looms over us in this moment. Our communities both local and global are suffering, with millions rendered unemployed, homeless, food insecure and vulnerable health wise. Where indeed can we find light in this never-ending shade? 

With these inequities at the forefront of our consciousness in the wake of historic structural inequalities coupled with a global health crisis, Amanda’s poem reminds us that we can find light within each other; light that illuminates a willingness to grow, hope, and try even in the face of grief, hurt, and exhaustion. It is through this intentional endeavor that we heed the words of 2 Peter 3:12-13, which calls us to “…look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” This day will bring about “…a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells,” but it will not come on its own. As Earth Day Sunday 2021 approaches, we at Creation Justice Ministries have put together a Christian education resource centered around the nexus of health, environmental racism, and ecological justice, a pertinent intersection in our current time. I am hopeful that this resource will provide some insight into the ways in which these injustices manifest in our communities, so all who come across it feel empowered to heed the words of 2 Peter 3:12-13, and brave enough to be the light. 

Sincerely,
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Susu Lassa
2021 Earth Day Resource Editor
Creation Justice Ministries Board Member

Sign up HERE to be notified as soon as the Earth Day resource becomes available.
9 Comments

Farewell to the Creation Justice Community

1/19/2021

1 Comment

 
by: Shantha Ready Alonso
Today is my last day as Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries. My heart is full as I reflect with gratitude on the powerful ecumenical relationships we have built in service to our shared mission.

I give special thanks to our member communions, represented through our Board. You have built powerful ecumenical community, and those ecumenical relationships lie at the heart of Creation Justice Ministries identity. Special thanks to our devoted officers: Board President Rev. Rebecca Barnes of Presbyterian Church (USA), Vice President Bishop Carroll Baltimore, Vice President Deacon Sergei Kapral of the Orthodox Church in America, Treasurer Ruth Ivory-Moore of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, and Secretary Rev. Sarah Macias of the Alliance of Baptists.

I am thankful for Creation Justice Ministries staff and volunteer colleagues Amanda Robinson, Annika Harley, Helen Smith, Avery Davis Lamb, Dr. Jim David, and Andrea Folds. This team does not hesitate to go the extra mile to ensure the Creation Justice community is educated, equipped and mobilized to protect, restore, and more rightly share God's creation.

Thank you to the many (many!) coalition partners who have accompanied Creation Justice Ministries in the season of growth we experienced during my five and a half years as Executive Director. To the Washington Inter-religious Staff Community: You have been instrumental in my spiritual formation as well as professional development. To environmental justice community leaders: When you speak from your experience for yourselves about ecojustice realities on the ground, you call our country to accountability for racism and economic injustice. I have learned so much from you about intersectionality and leadership that centers people who are most impacted. I have especially been formed by my work with the Next 100 Coalition, founded on the centennial of the National Park Service to center diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in our US public lands and waters. To Indigenous leaders: Thank you for profoundly broadening as well as deepening my understanding of the spiritual significance of our human relationship with God's creation. I have been forever changed for the better by my time building spiritually-rooted alliances with Indigenous leaders who are out front in efforts to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Bears Ears National Monument, the sacred land at Standing Rock, and the Grand Canyon. To the many coalition partners working on public lands stewardship, endangered species protection, ocean conservation, and climate action: Thank you for many ways you have shared your policy expertise, scientific knowledge, and communications capacity.

I am so very grateful for the Creation Justice community. We are tens of thousands of people active in our own respective congregations and communities, united by our love for God's creation and each other. Together in 2021, we are shifting into a new time in our country's history: one in which climate action, conservation, and racial justice will come to the fore of public policy and social change-making. We feel the fierce urgency of now to confront the ecological crisis before us. Now more than ever, our ministry must be rooted in faithful community, as I articulated in my acceptance speech for the National Council of Churches Excellence in Ecumenical Leadership Award.

My Prayer for the Creation Justice Community
Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer: I pray that your animating words "Let there be life" touch every Creation Justice community member in a fresh way in 2021. With your help, God, may we each echo Christ's call for just relationships among all of creation, amplifying your saving grace so it reverberates through this Earth, which is so desperately in need of your divine healing. Strengthen the Creation Justice community in our commitment to Christian unity, to foster eco-justice transformations, and to raise a collective witness in the public arena.
Amen.
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Shantha Ready Alonso was the Executive Director of Creation Justice Ministries from Summer 2015 - January 2021.

1 Comment

Reinstate Protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine Monument

1/15/2021

1 Comment

 
Creation Justice Ministries values the ocean highly.  The creation story tells us that the ocean was first created and everything else came after.  The ocean cleans our air, feeds our souls and reflects the mystery of God.  The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is a biodiversity hub.  If we are to protect and regenerate the ocean, the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts must be protected.
The full petition and signature list is below.
​

Reinstate The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

The Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument consists of 4,900 square miles on the floor of the Atlantic ocean.  It is the size of Connecticut and rests off the coast of Massachusetts.  It was established by President Obama in 2016. It is a virtual Noah's ark, teeming with God's creatures: from endangered whales, seabirds, and sea turtles to rare thousand-year-old deep-sea corals.  Unfortunately, that protection was rescinded by the Trump Administration this summer, requiring us to advocate for this important monument once again.

As leaders in the faith community, we know how critical it is to protect sacred spaces and the importance of honoring all of God’s beautiful creation. Please add your name today to encourage President elect Biden to keep his promise to reinstate the protections for the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument.

This sanctuary is the definition of caring for the earth. It is the only marine monument in the U.S. Atlantic Ocean, providing lasting sanctuary from oil and gas drilling, commercial fishing, mining, and other destructive activities. Within the sanctuary there are several protective acts carried out; the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Act and the Fishery Conservation and Management Act to name a few.  All of these acts protect God’s precious creatures.  The ones that when created, were looked upon and told, “you are good.”  We have signed on to urge President Elect Biden to reinstate the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine Monument as part of his First 100 Days Agenda.

Sincerely,

Deacon Meg Nielsen
Rev. Ann Hayman     
Rev. Holly Hallman   
Reverend Cynthia Lapp         
Mr. Todd Garcia Bish
Jennifer Hansen
Rev. Mark Terwilliger           
Linda Granato
Ms. Sister Carol Boschert
Peter Sergienko
Rev. Alice O'Donovan           
Ms. Joyce Stoffers
Rev. Dr. Michael Adee
Mrs. Julie Squire        
Mr. Stephen Weissman
Rev. Douglas Mitchell
Shay O'Reilly 
Mr. Thomas Devers
Ms. JL Angell
Rev. Steve Garnaas-Holmes  
Ms. Mary Love
Mr. Richard Hirai
Rev. Betsy J. Sowers
Rev. Bebb Stone
Natalie Eline  
Ms. Connie Raper
Mr. Danny Watspm
Ms. Donalyn  Gross
Elizabeth Pixley
Mr. Kyle Crider         
Rev. Tonya Eza         
Sister Mary Hamilton
Rev. Dr.          Sylvia  Karcher
Sr. Barbara Bartlett    
Mr. Chris Drumright
Mr. John Oda
Dr. Virginia Jones
Jacob Short
Mrs. Nancy Ross
Rev. Charles Marks
Ms. Sally Grenzow
Ms Sandra Franz        
Dr. Dawn M. Nothwehr, OSF, Ph.D.
Nancy Moore 
Suzanne Phillips Smith
Mrs. Jane Wiley
The Rev. Dr. Shannon Clarkson
Rev. Sandy Williams 
Sr. Lesley Block        
Mary Ann Dowdell    
Mrs. Marty Van Lenten Becker
Rev. Joyce de Velder
Mrs. Violet Simpson  
Rev. Rob Mark          
Ms. Nancy Gehman   
Yvette Bellerose
Mr. & Mrs. John and Dorothy O'Neal
Ms. Judith Ackerman
Mrs. Laurie Rowan    
Mr. Jonathan Knight  
Rev. Priscilla Dreyman
David Babcock
Mrs. MaryAnn Gregory
Mrs. Nancy Gault
Rev. Dr. Jessica McArdle
Jo Ann Florek
Keith Schue   
Mr. Den Mark Wichar           
Mrs. Karen Ritz-Perkins
Ms. Ernestine H Brown         
Ms. Twyla Meyer
Elizabeth Dekker
Ms. Rose Gansle
Dr. Lorraine Hartmann
Dr. Kathleen Moore   
Rev. Leigh Goodrich 
Rev. Larry Trover      
Mrs. Christie Ruppel 
Ms. Carol Devoss      
Mayre Hammond       
Rev. James A. Oines
Mr. Philip Dooley
Sr. Joanne Lafreniere
Dr. Patricia K. Townsend      
Reverend Doctor William Godwin
Ms Karen Esslinger   
Dr. James R. David    
Steve Callahan
Esther Garvett
Susan Alice Mufson  
Mary Cawley 
Margie Lindhorst       
Mrs. Barbara Shuck
Rev. John Paarlberg   
Allyson Pyers 
Rev. Naomi C. Kelly 
Rev. Monica Styron
Mr. and Mrs. Slowomir and Irene Przybysz
Abigail Hancock        
Lance Kittel   
Mrs. Ginger Comstock          
Jean Jones      
Richard Patenaude     
Jane Parker
Ms. Deb Martin
Ms. Constance Otto   
Madeleine Gregoire   
Rev. Dr. Eileen Altman
Paul Allen
Mr. and Mrs. Tony and Cindy Guarnieri
Su Flickinger 
Dr. Barbara Darling   
Ms. Phyllis Ballata     
Mr. Gary Bailey         
Mr. Jerry Rivers         
Mrs. Lucille Wiggin  
Mary Elva Smith       
Ms. Kathryn Rose
Sister Dolores O'Dowd          
Craig Norton  
Bruce Lind     
Ms. Elaine Becker
Mr. Steve Hill
Ms. Geraldine P Kaller
Rev. Cheryl Raine
Mr. Bernardo Alayza Mujica
Fr. David Robinson   
Jeffrey Hancock         
Miss Denise Lytle
Mrs. Phyllis Park
Chris Pinney  
Rev. Lori Dick           
Mr. Stanley Naimon
Ms. Elizabeth  Gifford
Ms. Anneliese Schultz
Ms. Suzy Clarkson Holstein
Doska Ross    
Heidi Handsaker        
Rev. Gary Vencill      
Mrs. Patricia Always
Mr. Ralph Jones
Ms. Priscilla Payne
Mr. Scott Grinthal
Ms. Phoebe Morad     
Dr. Jo Anna Hebberger
Mr. Bruce M. Cratty
Mrs. Loretta Kerns
Jared Meek     
Ms. Lucy Mueller      
Rev. Jonathan Hancock
Rev. Lauran Heidenreich
Ms. Lorraine Johnson
Mr. Mark M Giese
Deb Christensen
Rev. Mark Meeks      
Mrs. Helen Findley
Ms. Betsy Windisch   
Mrs. Valerie Sotere
Robin Walkup
Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas
Ms. Kathy Newman
Mr. and Mrs.   Heath Hancock
James O'Dowd           
Katherine Gibson
Revs Drs Gerritt and Elizabeth Baker-Smith
Lucy Robinson
Ms. Nancy Lorence    
Rev. Susan Feurzeig
Jane Marstaller           
Mr. Eric Lind
Richard Johnson        
Ms. Elana Katz Rose 
Rev. Carla Pratt Keyes
Chaplain Craig Clark 
Ms. Julie Fissinger
Janet Frankl   
Mrs. Melissa Carlson
The Rev. Dr. Marsha Fowler 
Mrs. Michelle Dugan
Mr. Dan Esposito
Mrs. Elaine Fischer
Mr. Josephâ Wasserman
Rev. Nizzi Digan
Joyce Hancock
Amy Crocker 
Mrs. Susan Domey-Allen      
Ms. Maureen Wheeler
Susan Moore  
Mr. David Antos
Dr. Jeffrey Richards
Rev. Jennifer Mihok  
Mr. John Beamer
Ms. Karla Devine
Brother Kevin Cawley
Sister   Francine Koehler
Julian  Begg
Rev. Dr. Leonard Bjorkman
Rev. Lynn Bozich Shetzer     
Ms Gail Vincent        
Re. Dr. Susan E. Davies
Mrs. Martha Spencer
Rev. Rebecca Barnes 
Obie Hunt      
Mrs. Rebecca Brown 
Phil young      
Carl P. Young
Rev. Jeffery Hammonds
Dr. Emily Castner      
Barclay Hauber
Sister Ruth Battaglia CSA
Mr. Jon Krueger         
Ms. June Fait
The Rev. Shanda Mahurin     
Lorraine C Mitchell   
Ms. Marjorie Ho        
Vince Mendieta         
Al Blake         
Cindy Snyder 
Maria Asteinza           
Dr Emily Welty         
Mr. George Marsh     
Rev. Walter Ramsey
Rev. Jay Campbell     
Rob Seltzer
Mr. James Logan       
Ms. Lily Turner
Mrs. Brenda Campbell           
Anne Shumway
Mrs. Char Hoffman
Mr. Jason Miller
Mrs. Mary Arnold      
Samuel Smith
Rev. Heather Bailes Baker
Ms. Jean Roberts
Ms. Katherine Martinez
Ms. Eleanor Joyce
Ms. Cris Fischer
Mr. Eric T Simpson   
Dr. Beverly Hancock
Mrs. Julia Skelton
Mr. Gene Fox
Barbara Brierley        
Ms. R. Zierikzee
Mrs. Elaine Boles
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce and Maureen DeNunzio
1 Comment

52 Ways To Care for Creation

1/1/2021

115 Comments

 

1. Eat Those Leftovers! 

After the holiday season you will likely have leftovers from Christmas & New Years. A great way to be a steward to the Earth is to consume your food.  Did you know that Americans throw away 25% of the food they buy? Not only is this a waste of money but it is also harmful to the environment. Producing food takes land, water, and heavy machinery. By eating your leftovers you are not only saving money but also preventing energy waste from food production. Not to mention you are keeping them from taking up space in a landfill. ​
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2. Bookmark & Visit Creation Justice Ministries' Action Center

Each month, the Creation Justice Ministries team will update www.creationjustice.org/action with a new set of timely events, advocacy opportunities, and education resources. Set a reminder to check this website monthly, and take the actions that are possible for you and your community.

3. Green Your Laundry Routine

  • Use cold water when washing clothes to reduce energy use.  Energy is needed to heat water. You can also opt for a shorter wash cycle.
  • Only do laundry when the load is full. Not only does this save water and electricity but it also saves you money and time.  You can either wait until you have more items to wash or combine your partial load with your family or housemates. ​
  • Avoid using energy to dry your laundry by hanging a laundry line or using a drying rack. This cuts down on your electricity bill as well!
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4. Plan to Participate in Faith-Rooted Ecumenical Advocacy efforts, including virtual Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2020

Creation Justice Ministries is one of more than 40 co-sponsoring Christian organizations for the annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days. This year the conference is virtual! This is a valuable gathering that connects Christian communities nationally to worship, learn about timely issues, develop leadership skills, and take action for justice. This year's theme is "Imagine! God's Earth and People Restored." Learn more at www.advocacydays.org.

5. Celebrate Black History Month

February is Black History Month and there are many ways to celebrate and get involved. Follow Creation Justice Ministries on social media to follow our Black History Month campaign. We also recommend that you check out these organizations who are making black history: Outdoor Afro, Black Millenials for Flint, & the NAACP Environmental and Climate Program.

6. Plan a Lenten Devotional that Will Benefit God's Creation

The Creation Justice online community is doing a "Tread Lightly for Lent" devotional this year, adapted from the Presbyterian Hunger Program's Environmental Ministries 2018 resource. You may also consider trying a carbon fast. If you live in a place with an active state chapter of Interfaith Power and Light, it can be fun to find a local community doing a carbon fast together.

7. Use Green Cleaning Products

Did you know some cleaning products have toxic chemicals that can harm your health as well as pollute God's creation? Check out our "Cleanliness and Godliness Toolkit" for ideas on greener cleaning.

8. Change Light Bulbs to Eco-Friendly Types

CFL and LED bulbs can emit 25-80% less energy than traditional incandescents, plus they last longer! Consider this greener alternative when it comes time to replenishing those bulbs.

9. Celebrate Women's History Month

March is Women's History Month! Follow Creation Justice Ministries social media to learn about amazing women who have made a positive difference in God's creation. Also check out "Desertification in Africa is an Intersectional Problem, and Women are Stepping up to the Challenge" by CJM board member Susu Lassa and last year's "Women's History Wrap Up".


10.
 Commit to Low or No Waste Grocery Shopping

Some ways to reduce the waste when shopping for groceries are to buy unpackaged fresh fruits and vegetables, bringing your own container to a bulk food store, investing in some produce bags to transport fresh foods, avoid prepared foods, and bring your own grocery bags.
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11. Turn Off the Lights When Not in Use

If you’re not in the room, the light doesn’t need to be on. Leave yourself post-its to help you remember to flip the switch off when you leave the room. You can even consider installing automatic timers for the lights in your home.

12. Observe World Water Day March 22, 2021

World Water Day is this week! Support various campaigns and check out the water resources provided by Creation Justice Ministries. 

13. Donate to a Faith-Based Organization that Supports Care and Justice for God's Creation

Our ecological crisis is a spiritual crisis. We are facing systems of greed and racism that require a moral response. Give to faith-based organizations that devote time and resources to caring for God's creation. Consider becoming a monthly recurring donor, to help the organization build a strong, predictable grassroots funding base for their work. If you don't yet contribute to Creation Justice Ministries, consider joining the #CreationJustice Monthly Giving program.

14. Cut Your Shower Time by Five Minutes

Cut five minutes off your shower to save water. According to a study done by Harvard the average American shower uses 2.5 gallons per minute. You will save 12.5 gallons of water if you shorten by just 5 minutes. Or, consider turning the water off while you lather up and only turn it on to rinse. ​
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15. Start a Garden​, Indoors and Out!

​Start a garden in your own backyard or share the work with your community by creating a neighborhood garden.  Do you have space in your church’s yard, at a vacant lot, or in a nearby park? Gardening is good for creation and saves you money. If you do not have space outdoors, you can grow veggies or herbs in pots in your place of residence. ​​Indoor plants will produce oxygen to improve your indoor air quality.

16. Observe Earth Day Sunday on April 25, 2021

This year is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day! Make use of the Earth Day Sunday resource developed annually by Creation Justice Ministries. This year's theme is "The Fierce Urgency of Now" and is all about how to live faithfully in urgent times. This year's theme is "Environmental Racism, Public Health, & Eco-Justice" and past years can be found through www.earthdaysunday.org.

17. Eat a Plant-Based Meal or Meals with Ingredients from Local Farms

Eating plants is good for your body and good for the earth. Find a new recipe to try this week!

18. Wait to Run the Dishwasher until it is Full

Consider only doing dishes when you have a full dishwasher load or full sink.  If you do dishes by hand, use a basin to conserve dish-washing water. This reduces your water use and saves you money on your water bill.

19. Advocate for Environmental Justice

Learn about imminent threats to communities near you. Learn whose health and livelihood is most affected by local pollution issues, and who is on the front-lines of counteracting the harm. If you need a place to start, check out the Oil and Gas Threat Map.  Join an existing grassroots organization, talk to your family and friends about environmental justice, or set up a meeting between your faith community and local environmental justice advocates to build solidarity.

20. Observe Endangered Species Day May 21, 2021

Did you know one in five species is threatened or endangered? There are many things everyday people can do to save God's creation from extinction. Check out www.creationjustice.org/endangered to find materials to raise awareness in your faith community.

21. Fend Off "Energy Vampires."

Make sure to turn off and unplug items when they're not in use. The socket draws electricity even when items are "turned off." Some items that are often plugged-in when not in use are blow-dryers, phone chargers, electric kettles, and coffee pots. Other items that are often left in the "on" position when not in use are televisions, computers, and video game consuls. Using the battery-saving function on smart phones and computers helps them last longer, as well as saves energy. Perhaps you have a spare refrigerator you only need to run when you're preparing to entertain guests. Look around your house and find what can be unplugged.​ You might be surprised by your energy savings!

22. Research How Your Community Regulates Waste 

Each city or town has their own trash, recycling, and compost system.  What is the system where you live? Regulations change frequently so take some time today to update yourself.  Here are some questions for you to find the answers:
  • Does my town/city have recycling curbside pick up or do I take it to the recycling center?
  • What can I throw in the recycling bin?  Do I throw plastics, paper, glass, and aluminum together or do I seperate them?
  • Does my city/town have a curbside composting program?
  • Can  I compost in my own backyard?

23. Bring a Reusable Container for Leftovers to the Restaurant

Next time you go out to eat, bring a reusable container for your leftovers. One-time use plastic and styrofoam containers are easily replaceable with a reusable container. You can leave one by the door, in your backpack, or in your car so that you always remember it.

24. Honor World Oceans Day Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Plan to honor World Oceans Day with your faith community. Check out www.worldoceansday.org for ideas, and find faith-based resources at www.creationjustice.org/oceans

25. Watch a Documentary on Creation Care and/or Environmental Justice

Some examples include faith-based films such as Behold the Earth and Renewal, as well as other educational films such as The Story of Stuff.  Learn something new, and make a commitment to yourself to make a positive change in your life.

26. Contact Your Representative

Take initiative today and call, email, or write one of your state representatives regarding any creation care issue that you are passionate about. Positive environmental change starts with the individual and continues with larger scale change. You can contact your representative by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. You can find out who your US Representative is here and your US Senators here. 
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27. Reuse. You Don't Have to Use an Item Just Once Right? 

What disposable items in your life could you replace with a reusable option? Do you use cloth napkins or paper? Do you have a reusable water bottle or disposable? Do you use cleaning wipes or clothes? Do you pack your lunch in plastic bags or in reusable containers?

28. Make Your Next Shopping Trip Green

Consider the before-life and after-life of purchases. Patronize second-hand or fair trade stores. You can buy clothes, jewelry, shoes, furniture, books, movies, and toys conscientiously.  If you cannot find what you need at a second-hand store, try a fair trade store for ethically sourced products.

29. Pick Up the Trash in Your Community

Go outside and pick up trash. You can invite a friend or small group from church to join you. You can enjoy fellowship and increase the amount of garbage collected.

30. Read a Book Concerning Creation Care

We recommend titles by members of the Creation Justice community, including:
  • 50 Ways to Help Save the Earth: How You and Your Congregation Can Make a Difference by Rev. Rebecca Barnes of Presbyterian Church (USA), who is also our board president.
  • Creation as Sacrament: Reflections on Ecology and Spirituality by Fr. John Chryssavgis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
  • Rooted and Rising: Voices of Courage in a Time of Climate Crisis by Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas of the Episcopal Church and Rev. Dr. Leah Schade of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
  • Climate Church, Climate World: How People of Faith Must Work for Change by Rev. Jim Antal of the United Church of Christ

31. Use Green Transportation 

How do you get from place to place?  Make a plan for how you can reduce your footprint. Does your city/town have public transportation? Are there places where you can walk or bike instead of drive? Make a commitment and plan to improve your transit carbon footprint.

32. Calculate Your Water Footprint

Find out what your water footprint is and how you can reduce your impact. This calculator will show you how your lifestyle impacts the rest of the world and how you can make a positive difference. Share with us ways you plan to reduce your footprint! 

33. Use Gray Water

Gray water is water that has been used but is not necessarily contaminated.  You can use dish washing water, hand washing water, and cooking water to water plants. There are even systems you can install now that allow you to make use of gray water more effectively. 
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34. Spend Time Outside This Week

Take some time to appreciate the outdoors this week. Go for a walk, play sports, or go to the park. Find ways to enjoy challenging weather such as snow, rain, and heat. Enjoy God’s beautiful creation.

35. Honor the Season of Creation September 1-October 5

Beginning with the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1 and ending with St. Francis Day on October 4, the Season of Creation is a time-set-apart to express gratitude for God's good creation, care for creation, and call for justice. Learn more at www.seasonofcreation.org

36. Check Your Car's Tire Pressure

Properly inflated tires improve the car’s gas mileage. This will not only decrease your carbon emission but also save you money.

37. Try Composting at Home 

Check out this guide to learn how to compost at your home, or go here to see if your neighborhood has a curbside compost pickup option.

38. Invest in Green Arts and Crafts Supplies

Do you or the kids in your life enjoy art? Buy recycled paper and products for projects. Nature is another great way to find art supplies. Twigs, leaves, and flowers are excellent for art projects. The recycling bin can also be great place for creative minds to find materials.

39. Track Your Use of Paper and Disposable Products 

This week, watch how often you use paper plates, disposable utensils and straws. See which of those items you can replace with reusable Tupperware and flatware that you can take with you. You can keep this in your car, purse, or backpack to use at a moment’s notice.

40. Looking for a New Book? Check Out Your Local Library.

Instead of buying your own copy, check out your local library for your next read. Libraries are valuable community centers, and chances are you'll only read the book once - no need to purchase every copy for yourself! If you like using e-readers, the Libby app allows you to borrow books from the library digitally.

41: Track Your Waste for a Week

Keep track of the waste that you create for a week. How much of it can be replaced with recyclables or reusables? What can you challenge yourself to live without?
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42. Try Cooking One-Pot Meals 

By using one pot to cook your meal, you save on electricity, gas, and water, which reduces your footprint and may even give you leftovers for the week! 

43. Evaluate Coffee and/or Tea Habits

Does you use a reusable or disposable cup and filter? Do you use loose leaf tea or tea bags? Where does your beverage come from? Is it ethically sourced? If not, find out how you can make the sustainable switch.                                                                                                                                                                                                            

44. November is Native Heritage Month--Learn About the Indigenous Peoples to the Places Where You Live, Work, and Pray

Monday, October 12 is recognized by some as Columbus Day, and others as Indigenous Peoples' Day. November is Native American Heritage Month. These are good times to brush up on your knowledge about Indigenous Peoples. Consider using Creation Justice Ministries' Environmental Justice with Indigenous Peoples resource. Take time to acknowledge the Indigenous Peoples from where you live. Consider remembering them by name when you pray.  Some questions to research are: 
  1. What is the name of the Native nation from your area?
  2. How does this nation relate to the land and ecosystems where you live?
  3. How are the wishes of this native nation?
  4. Are there any personal choices or political actions I can take to be in solidarity?​

45. Work With Your Local Government to Sponsor a Recycling Event for Electronics or Hazardous Waste

With the holidays coming, new electronics are likely to be under the tree. Make room for the new by safely recycling the old. Too much on your plate? See if an event like this already exists in your community and attend! ​

46. Plan to have an Eco-Friendly Thanksgiving

Make environmentally sustainable choices this Thanksgiving. Cook your food in reusable cookwear instead of the disposable aluminum foil cookwear. Also, replace paper napkins with cloth during your meal. Reduce your leftover waste by replacing plastic wrap with beeswax wrap or stretchable rubber lids.

47. #OptOutside this Black Friday

Some families depend on the deep discounts on Black Friday and Cyber Monday to be able to afford essentials. For many, though, Black Friday and Cyber Monday can become a frenzy of consumer culture and unnecessary purchases. If you need to make a purchase on a discounted item, please do so with intention. If you don't need to make a purchase, consider joining the movement to go for a walk: #OptOutside & #FindYourPark. This alternative can allow you to use the precious holiday season to spend quality time outdoors.

48. Invest in a Reusable Water Bottle

Cut down on plastic by carrying your own water bottle with you. Preferably a reusable one made of aluminum rather than plastic. You will find that you save money by bringing your own water instead of buying new bottles every time you are thirsty.

49. Check Cabinets for Expired Medicine and Properly Dispose of Them

Avoid flushing medicines and other dangerous chemicals in the toilet or washing them down the sink. Instead, find your local med disposal location and take them there. This will help keep water clean and drug-free for other people drink and animals and plants to live in and consume. ​

50. Opt to Wrap Gifts in a Reusable Bag Instead of Wrapping Paper

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Wrapping paper can only be used once while gift bags can be reused. You can give a festively concealed gift and care for creation at the same time. Or you can wrap your presents in newspaper or brown paper and personalize with your own hand drawn decorations. You can still be festive and make the gift special without buying wrapping paper. 

51. Plan a Green Meal

Challenge yourself to cook a one pot meal and buy from local farmers. Get creative and try something new-- who knows, it could be a new favorite recipe!

52. Make Your New Year's Resolutions Green 

Take some time to reflect with your family on ways to be more green in 2022! Can you invest in solar energy panels? Share your New Year's Resolutions with us at Creation Justice Ministries for the chance to be featured on our social media.
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    This blog shares the activities of Creation Justice Ministries. We educate and equip Christians to protect, restore, and rightly share God's creation.

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