Cascades Presbytery

Mission and goals of Eco-Justice Team of Cascades Presbytery

Mission: Being faithful to the Biblical call to care for creation, we will educate, advocate, and inspire members of the Presbytery of the Cascades to follow this call.

Goals: To maintain a strong and consistent voice for caring for creation in our Presbytery, we set the following goals and objectives for our Team:

1. Realize the Biblical, spiritual, and theological basis of caring for creation.
2. Understand our position and interdependence in the global environment.
3. Connect social and economic justice to environmental sustainability.
4. Practice best environmental alternatives.

Our work is guided by the following key questions:
-How do we practice creation stewardship with our properties and programs?
-How do we promote creation stewardship when we educate our children, youth and adults?
-How do we demonstrate creation stewardship when we witness to the rest of the world?

For more information, contact Warren Aney, chair, at aney@coho.net, or Jenny Holmes at jehrestore@aol.com

Stories of How Congregations are Caring for God's Creation

Congregations of all sizes and theological leanings throughout Cascades Presbytery are creatively responding to the Biblical call to care for creation. To provide your congregation with inspiration and ideas for being better stewards of creation, we will be posting a variety of stories from congregations. The Eco-Justice Team of the Congregational Support Team encourages you to contact and visit these congregations for assistance in starting a “creation stewardship” or “eco-justice” team in your congregation, or enhancing an existing ministry. At the same time, we recognize that creation care is not one size fits all. What works in one congregation may not work in another. It is our prayer, that these stories will be food for the journey, wherever you are.

Church Rain Gardens (PDF)

Community Garden at First Presbyterian, Prineville

First Presbyterian, Prineville developed a community garden on its fertile land as a way to reach out to its community. At the same time they reduced lawn mowing and the pollution and expense that goes with it. Most of the plots are used by community members, especially people with low-incomes. Read more (PDF).

Rose City Park Reduces, Reuses and Recycles!

Rose City Park Presbyterian's Creation Care Team has creatively helped both members and the church facility to do a better job with the "three r's" of conservation--reducing, reusing and recycling. This ethic of care for creation is now being integrated into their overall plan for stewardship of all of God's good gifts. Learn more (PDF)

Eco-Justice Team, First Presbyterian Church of Newport

The Eco-Justice Team of First Presbyterian Church in Newport, host of the 2007 Creation Care Fellowship, accomplished a lot in its first year thanks to supportive church leaders and a critical mass of interested lay people of all ages. The story of how this congregation adopted a stewardship of creation ministry is well told in the report of its Eco-Justice Team for the church's annual report (PDF). A report like this also helps raise awareness in the whole congregation. You may want to use it as a model for a report to your congregation. For more information contact Barry McPherson at bdmcpherson@coho.net.

Conserving in Many Small Ways for a Big Impact, Aurora Presbyterian Church

Read the article about (PDF):

Helping members be good stewards by making recycling easier
Conserving in the church kitchen
Leading by example
Our next challenge-energy stewardship

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in SW Portland

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in SW Portland has improved the environment of its tributary of Fanno Creek by removing 14,000 square feet of asphalt parking lot and creating bioswales. This work benefits both St. Andrew’s and the environment. St. Andrew’s benefits financially by reducing the fee paidto the City of Portland for stormwater runoff. The fee is reduced both reducing the amount of square-feet of impervious surface and by reducing the rate of run-off, since the run-off will flow through the bioswales. See St. Andrews' web page on the project.
http://www.standrewspdx.com/ministries/fannoCreekProject.shtml

Eco-Justice News
by Jenny Holmes

Saturdays	Ongoing Saturdays, Natural Area Restoration Work Parties, 9am to 1pm. Meet friends, make a difference, plant trees! Join Friends of Trees any Saturday morning. No experience is necessary. Friends of Trees' knowledgable and helpful crew leaders guide small groups of volunteers. Tools, trees and gloves are provided. Dress to keep warm and dry, and join us before 9 a.m. for registration, snacks and instructions. Details about each planting, including directions, can be found on our "planting schedule" at www.friendsoftrees.org.
April 20, 2008	Earth Day Project at St. Andrews Portland On Sunday, April 20 at noon (following a quick lunch) St. Andrews Presbyterian at 3228 SW Sunset Blvd. in Portland will be offering a work day on its watershed restoration/native plant project. The will be mostly a weeding - working on eliminating non-native species.We may also incorporate the "good" soil into areas that were covered with asphalt for 50 years, to encourage growth of native species we have or will plant. Most tools will be provided.
April 20, 2008	Earth Day Sunday Resource As stewards of God’s good earth, we are called to care for the environment and all the creatures that depend on it to survive. Celebrate this year’s Earth Day in a worship service that lifts up the goodness and bounty of God’s creation, and our responsibility toward it. A worship planning resource for Earth Day Sunday (April 20) is now available from National Council of Churches. It marks the day by recognizing the interconnectedness of poverty and climate change. Contains adult study and youth activities. To obtain a copy visit www.nccecojustice.org.
April 22, 2008	*Green Building & Renovations for Congregations.* 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Community Presbyterian Church, 529 NW 19th St., Redmond. This workshop will provide practical information and inspiration to help congregations lighten their environmental footprint. Topics will include: principles of energy-efficient building; why energy is a moral concern, religious green building case studies; how to work with contractors and architects; Energy Trust of Oregon, Oregon Department of Energy incentives and rebates and more. Sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Oregon Interfaith Power and Light Project in partnership with Oregon Department of Energy and Energy Trust of Oregon. The registration fee is $30 per individual, which includes lunch for pre-registrants. Call for discount on large groups from same congregation. To register or for more information, download the registration brochure, or call (503) 221-1054, or e-mail ksharinghousen@emoregon.org. Pre-registration is requested by one week ahead, but registration will be accepted at the door beginning at 10:30 a.m.
Due May 1, 2008	Presbyterian Conservation Corps Looking for Eco-Stewards (ages 18-24) PCC is a joint project of Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Centers and Presbyterians for Restoring Creation (www.prcweb.org) inspired by former PCUSA moderator Rick Ufford-Chase. Eco-Stewards Programs are designed to provide the skills and experience necessary to make a tangible improvement in the environment and have a positive impact in the lives of others in response to God’s call. Theological and biblical education on creation care and Christian fellowship are integral parts of the experience. The Western Eco-Stewards Training will be held May 31 to June 12 in Presbyterian camps in Colorado and Missouri. The Eastern Training will be held from June 4-15 in camps in Pennsylvania and New York. For more information and an application, due May 1, 2008, go to http://www.presbyterianconservationcorps.org.
June 11. 2008	*Energy Stewardship Workshops for Congregation and Community.* “Save Your Congregation Energy and Money” from 12 to 2:30 p.m., and “Energy Stewardship” from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Both workshops will be held at Central Lutheran Church, 1820 NE 21st Ave., Portland. The afternoon workshop will cover key principles of energy stewardship for congregations, low-cost and no-cost measures to save energy expenses, and funding energy efficiency projects for religious facilities. Topics for the evening workshop include reducing energy costs for homes and businesses, affordable renewable energy options and the ethics of energy stewardship. The keynote speaker for both workshops is Doug Boleyn, who has over 30 years of experience in renewable energy and energy efficiency and is energy consultant for Oregon Interfaith Power and Light. Workshops are sponsored by Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon’s Oregon Interfaith Power and Light Project in partnership with Oregon Department of Energy and Energy Trust of Oregon. The cost is $20 per person for each workshop and $35 per person for both workshops. Discounts available to three or more people from the same congregation. A light lunch and materials will be provided. Pre-registration is recommended by June 6; however, registration will be accepted at the door. Call (503) 221-1054, ext. 203 to register or go to www.emoregon.org to download a registration brochure.
June 17, 2008	Solar Congregations Workshop. 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Dharma Rain Zen Center, 2514 SE Madison, Portland. This workshop is for all congregations that want to know the nuts and bolts of hosting a solar panel and how to use it for education. It will provide key congregation decision-makers, advocates, and building and grounds people with a thorough grounding in how solar electric systems work and how to maintain them. There will be time at the end for Q and A with resource people from Commercial Solar Ventures, Energy Trust, Oregon Department of Energy and OIPL. Cost: $5 per person for congregations that are part of the OIPL Solar Congregations Program and $20 per person regular. Includes pizza and materials. To register, call (503) 221-1054, ext. 203.
September 20, 2008	Fourth Annual Creation Care Fellowship. Rose City Park Presbyterian Church, NE 44th and Sandy in Portland. Learn how the Good News of Jesus Christ relates to God's creation in scripture, in our congregations and in our daily lives. For more information, call Jenny at 503-281-8175.
Join the Global Eco-Justice Listserv:
Learn more about water, trade and globalization issues that impact the most vulnerable people and communities around the world. The Global Eco-Justice Listserv provides periodic action alerts, analysis and news from PC (USA) Hunger Program. Go to www.pcusa.org/trade/ecojustice.htm or www.prcweb.org to sign up.

Energy Bill	Interfaith Power and Light Action Center--Support a Responsible Energy Bill! In June the Senate passed a bill requiring a significant increase in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards for automobiles – 35 mpg by 2020. And in August the House passed an Energy Bill setting a standard that electric utilities must obtain 15 per cent of their power from clean, renewable sources—such as the wind and sun. Neither of these are law yet; two existing versions must be reconciled and passed through both House and Senate. In battles over higher fuel standards, the Senate is still holding out for standards that have already been dropped in the House. Key leaders in Congress are requesting the support of the Interfaith Power and Light community in helping to sway undecided members. Please tell your representatives to support a 35-miles per gallon fuel economy standard and a 15 per cent increase in the renewable electricity standard.
Farm Bill	Thank you for your continued support and interest in helping to make a Farm Bill that is better for farmers, consumers, and the environment. The Farm Bill fight has stalled for the time being. It is possible that another attempt will be made after the Thanksgiving recess to resume work on this important bill. Both Senators Wyden and Smith voted in favor of the cloture to force a debate excluding non-relevant amendments and vote on the Farm Bill. Smith was one of only four Republicans who voted yes. Democrats may not have expected the cloture motion to pass – they may be hoping that farmers, anti-hunger advocates and conservation groups will keep the pressure on over the Thanksgiving break to move the bill. Read more: www.FoodSecurity.org.
Oregon Interfaith Power and Ligh	Give Generously to OIPL Today! Help Us Make our Match. Oregon Interfaith Power and Light needs your financial support work of equipping, inspiring and and empowering the faith community to lead by example in responding to global warming. We need to raise $3,000 from individual donors, congregations and businesses by the end of the year. More congregations that ever are want to be part of the solution to global warming and are requesting OIPL’s assistance. To build on this hope-filled momentum, we need your financial support. To make a donation on-line, go to https://secure.entango.com/donate/iaR9RPu3vUw. Be sure to select “Oregon Interfaith Power and Light” as the program. Thank you for considering how you can nourish the vision!
Oregon Interfaith Power and Ligh CLF Fundraiser	Fundraising Opportunity: Is your congregation looking for a meaningful fundraiser to help pay for a youth group field trip? Or how about a fundraiser that will help purchase energy-efficient light bulbs for your sanctuary? Oregon Interfaith Power & Light (OIPL) now offers a CFL Fundraiser just for you! OIPL purchases the light bulbs through ShopIPL.org, an online energy-efficiency store sponsored by Interfaith Power & Light organizations across the country. The products are high quality, commercial grade. Orders arrive within 10 business days or sooner. Postage is free! To get started, contact Catherine Rolling crolling@emoregon.org. She will email you a fundraiser packet that will include instructions, order forms, a product list, and a bulletin insert to promote your fundraiser. You can customize the forms to fit your particular needs.
Land Use	The Eco-Justice team believes humankind's use of the land is a moral issue. The response of God's people to God's gift of good land is a key theme in the Bible. Since Oregon faces major public policy decisions about land use, we are were prompted to provide the following 1/2 page insert (PDF) and full-page handout (PDF) for personal reflection. However, we hope these resources will be helpful at any time and place.