Going Green: One Congregation's Efforts

By Kurt Schultz

At its March meeting, the Saint Paul Area Synod council voted to send to the ELCA church council a resolution petitioning the ELCA to adopt specific environmentally-friendly practices. Pilgrim Lutheran Church, St. Paul, wrote the resolution, which reflects several of the practices already adopted by the congregation.

Like many churches, Pilgrim has an active “green group” committed to preserving God’s miraculous creation by taking practical steps every single day. For three years, Pilgrim’s Caring for Creation, with strong support from the entire congregation, has been incrementally introducing sustainability into almost every conversation, decision, and action at Pilgrim.

Introducing sustainability
For example, ceramic coffee cups, which the church already owned, have been dusted off and are now used regularly in place of the ubiquitous disposable cups. Recycling receptacles are strategically located to capture the paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum that used to find its way into the garbage can, and subsequently the landfill. Food scraps and coffee grounds, rather than being tossed in the trash, are composted in the new compost bin behind the church.Pilgrim purchases 100 percent post-consumer recycled paper for use in the office at only a marginally higher cost than virgin paper.

A comprehensive energy audit was performed on the church building, and Pilgrim members are now volunteering to install conservation retrofits. Many of the retrofits, including newer, more energy-efficient, fluorescent lights, will pay for themselves within four years through lower utility bills, which goes to show that going green can also save some green. In 2008, Pilgrim took another step by committing to purchase a portion of its electricity from renewable wind energy and a portion of its communion wine from organic vineyards.

Taking the message into everyday life
But saving the earth requires more than just greening church buildings; the message of earth stewardship and the how-to of doing it must find their way into every home and every life. Toward that end, Pilgrim has hosted a number of events that are both informative and fun. On one occasion, before Christmas, children and adults gathered around sewing machines to create colorful reusable fabric gift bags to replace wrapping paper, which recyclers do not accept. On another afternoon, Pilgrims and neighbors of Pilgrim were invited to learn about composting, including the traditional backyard kind and the year-round vermicomposting (composting with worms). Most participants even walked away with a composting bin for their home. At one point, Pilgrim’s youth were invited to bring in junk mail collected from home and they decorated a junk mail tree, which was proudly displayed for all to see.

It is estimated that each person can save two trees and eliminate 92 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the air each year simply by reducing their junk mail. So Pilgrims were encouraged to fill out “stop junk mail” cards, which were sent to a del-listing agency.

Toxins in the home
The danger of toxins in common home products was the topic of a guest speaker from Preventing Harm Minnesota, who emphasized the special threat posed by these products to growing children. Participants in this workshop learned tips about purchasing household products and even made a bottle of their own effective cleaner: Alice’s All-Purpose Wonder Spray, made with common and non-toxic ingredients.

By partnering with the local non-profit recycling company, Pilgrim’s annual outdoor worship service and picnic has become a low-waste event. By using plates, cups, and silverware that are reusable, recyclable, or compostable, worshipers enjoy a delightful meal in the morning sun while generating virtually no waste.

Grounding in Scripture
To ensure that its actions are firmly grounded in both Scripture and science, Pilgrim has invited several experts to speak who have provided insight into the theological basis for earth stewardship as well as practical and powerful examples of how to live that out. Likewise, Pilgrim has hosted film screenings and added books to the library in an effort to be better informed about the challenges and how to overcome them.

Pilgrim has also found it extremely helpful to network with other congregations. Congregations Caring for Creation has provided Pilgrim with the opportunity to both learn from and share with others who are motivated by their charge as Christians to honor, love, and protect the earth.

It is this charge that motivated members of Pilgrim to draft the resolution recently adopted by the synod council, with the belief that simple steps taken by ever more people will change the world that God has given us to steward lovingly.

Kurt Schultz is a member of the Caring for Creation ministry at Pilgrim Lutheran, St. Paul.

LCPPM provides the resources for congregations that look to implement creation care efforts

As Christians we are called to care for God’s wonderful creation. This stewardship takes many forms, from conservation and efficiency, to policy and concern for future generations. Our faith commits us as individuals, as a worship community, and as a public church to address threats to God’s creation. Many congregations have already taken on this issue.

Congregations and individuals are at different stages of knowledge and experience. The goal of Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota (LCPPM) is to provide support at each stage, acknowledging the transformation of the congregation into an intentional community celebrating and restoring creation. The Saint Paul Area Synod adopted a resolution at the 2007 assembly committing the synod to addressing global warming and climate change.

By forming creation care teams, congregations work to educate their members, take steps toward improving their ecological print, enable individual members to take similar actions, and promote systemic change through public policy. LCPPM provides resources, action plans, speakers, networking opportunities, connections to state and national organizations, and engagement in political leadership and public policy. Contact creation care coordinator, Ingrid Vick at ingrid@lcppm.org or call 651.224.5499 for information.

ELCA Social Statement Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice

In 1993 the social statement “Caring for Creation: Vision, Hope, and Justice” at the Churchwide Assembly. Available online at www.elca.org/socialstatements/environment. Congregations might find it helpful to study the social statement in small groups to gain a deeper understanding of God’s call to care for creation and the urgency and the responsibility it entails.