Green Initiative Articles

November 2009

Nov. 1 - Green Words from Pope Benedict
"The Church has a responsibility towards creation and she must assert this responsibility in the public sphere. In so doing, she must defend not only earth, water and air as gifts of creation that belong to everyone. She must above all protect mankind from self-destruction. There is need for what might be called a human ecology, correctly understood. The deterioration of nature is in fact closely connected to the culture that shapes human coexistence: when “human ecology”is respected within society, environmental ecology also benefits. Just as human virtues are interrelated, such that the weakening of one places others at risk, so the ecological system is based on respect for a plan that affects both the health of society and its good relationship with nature."
Benedict XVI: Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth) 2009; Res Environmental Stewardship Committee

Nov. 8 - Res Environmental Stewardship Committee
In 1981, Pope John Paul II said, "The most profound motive for our work is knowing that we share in creation. Learning the meaning of creation in our daily lives will help us to live holier lives. [Learning] will fill the world with the spirit of Christ . . ." (On Human Work, #25, John Paul II, 1981)
Today, in 2009, we have lots of work to do due to our concern for global climate change. Greening begins at home — parishioners' homes and our parish home of Resurrection Church. Please join the Environmental Stewardship Committee (Green Team) on Monday morning, Nov. 9 (tomorrow) for our monthly meeting to see how you can help in creation-care.  Enjoy coffee and companionship at Panera Bread, 7:30-8:30 a.m. Topics for discussion: the Green "vision" survey of the parish buildings/grounds, possible Res rain garden bginning next spring, refinements on our mprovement plan for the 2010 festival, bike-walk to church in the spring, and other "bright ideas." 
; Environmental Stewardship Committee

Nov. 15 - Styrofoam Situation Resolved
Just as we've eliminated purchased water bottles from the Res campus, we hope to do the same with styrofoam products, which never decompose in the landfill. The best green option for dinnerward is china cups and plates. Next best: compostable products.
There are still stashes of styrofoam around the school and rectory. The best solution, according to John Stierman,
maintenance,  is to "use them up and get rid of them that way."
Why? 
• They manufacturing of styrofoam has already negatively impacted the environment.
• There's no difference if they stay on our shelves or go to the landfill "for eternity:" Use 'em up!
• Once styrofoam products are used up by committees or gatherings on the Res campus, cups and plates should not be replaced. 
John said, "We do not want to waste the resources used to create these items" in the first place. Throwing out without use is also a waste. Let's all make a diligent effort to switch to china or compostables as together we move forward into a greener scene at Res.
John Stierman, Resurrection Maintenance; Environmental Stewardship Committee

Nov. 22 - ADVENT BRIGHT IDEAS: SAVE ENERGY

• When purchasing a new string of lights, be sure to choose LED, not incandescents. For example, the Philips-brand LED lights offer 88% savings, Energy Star-rated, 3-year guarantee, last 20 times longer.

• Instead of turning on Christmas lights EVERY night, pick one or two nights per week to keep lights unlit. Save $$ and care for your world. On those nights, take the family outdoors, look up at the stars, and pray for peace on earth.
Environmental Stewardship Committee (Green Team)

Nov. 29 - SHOP FAIR TRADE AT 'YARNINGS' & 'GLOBAL GIFTS'
For two years, "Yarnings," a retail store at 371 Bluff, has carried fair trade products such as pottery from the Philippines, tea pots from Vietnam, Christmas ornaments from Kenya and baby onesies from Honduras, and much more  Select from coffee products from Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, etc. "Yarnings" champions cultural diversity, fair wages, and economic sustainability for all.  Owner Patty Jackson says, "Shopping for fair trade products is shopping with heart."
Just opened at 1141 Main St. is "Global Gifts", a non-profit fair trade store "with a global mission." Located in a restored gray stone house next to St. Luke's Methodist Church, "Global Gifts" carries kitchen items, unique ornaments, totes, baskets, children's "world" gifts and jewelry. From the store flier: "About a million people earn a livign from fair trade production...60-70 % of the artisans are women . . .For every $25 pruchased, you help provide a fair wage for one person in Kenya or India or Chile."
Closer to home: Fair Trade coffee, cocoa and tea order forms are on bulletin board, main Church entrance—for your purchases. Great gift for the holidays!
Environmental Stewardship Committee