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

Resources

ENERGY TRUST OFFERS AUDITS AND INCENTIVE TO CONGREGATIONS

If your congregation is in the territory of PGE, Pacific Power, NW Natural and Cascade Natural Gas, your energy efficiency upgrades may qualify for incentives on heating, lighting and kitchen equipment. They also provide energy audits which are free if you take action on recommendations.

For more information, go to http://www.energytrust.org/existingbuildings/congregations.html.

John Knox Presbyterian Church in Keizer is featured on a new fact on the Energy Trusts Congregation Initiative. With at $1,853 incentive from ETO they install roof insulation when replacing the roof, saving 2,000 therms of natural gas each year.

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.

Rain Gardens

Nestucca Valley Presbyterian Inspires Watershed Stewardship (PDF)

Church Rain Gardens for Creation Stewardship (PDF)

International Partnership Inspires Water Stewardship

Presbytery of the Cascades™ Joining Hands Mission Partnership (JHMP) -a three-way partnership between the Presbytery, the Presbyterian Hunger Program and a grassroots social justice network in Boliva called UMAVIDA. Milwaukie Presbyterian Church is on of several partner congregations. A question asked from thousands of miles away -- "What are your water problems? -- led to a rediscovery of a valuable natural area in the church's own backyard - 3 1/2 acres with springs and wetlands (and former coho habitat) that had become choked by invasive plants.The question came in April of 2008 from UMAVIDA which was working on water pollution, primarily from the runoff from mines. In response, the seven Cascades partner churches decided to look at water issues in their regions. After considering the Columbia River, then the Willamette, Milwaukie Presbyterian settled on evaluating the water issues in Kellogg Creek which runs through their property. After exploring the watershed on foot, by canoe and talking with local experts, they started to remove invasive species and eventually won a Metro Nature in Neighborhoods Grant to make a larger impact. Their hard work and determination shows what a small group can do when it partners with many others. This natural area is now a powerful witness to care of creation and love of neighbors. Read more (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 Action by Jenny Holmes Earth Care: Inspiration, Prayer and Action Saturday, November 6, 2010 On Saturday, November 6, teams from congregations through the state will gather to explore how to weave caring for creation into worship, outreach, education and facilities at Earth Care: Inspiration, Prayer and Action. The new Earth Care Congregations certification program of the Presbyterian Church (USA) will serve as a guide and framework for the annual Creation Care Fellowship sponsored by Cascades Presbytery's Eco-Justice Team. The event starts with registration at 8:30 am and runs from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3737 Liberty Road South, Salem. Keynoter the Rev. Sam Hamilton-Poore is author of Earth Gospel: A Guide to Prayer for God's Creation and Director of the Program in Christian Spirituality and Assistant Professor of Christian Spirituality at San Francisco Theological Seminary. Hamilton Poore is an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA), having served congregations in North Carolina, Missouri, and Iowa. He teaches at the Center for Nature and Christian Spirituality at Westminster Woods, a program whose mission is to empower young adults to participate in the Christian church’s active engagement in caring for and restoring creation. Workshops on care of creation will include worship, education, outreach, facilities and spiritual formation. Worship and prayer will be woven throughout the workshop and there will be times for all to share ideas, hopes, and challenges with each other. The cost for the event is $25. Seniors and students are $20. Registration includes locally grown lunch and Earth Care Congregations handbook. Please check the Presbytery of the Cascades website, www.cascadespresbytery.org for a full brochure and online registration. To Register: Call Dawn at 1-800-926-3223. Teams of three or more from a congregation strongly encouraged to attend. NCC Eco Justice Prayers for the Gulf: The slow-motion tragedy of the gulf oil spill lays bare our collective failure as caretakers of God’s good creation. While unknown thousands of barrels of oil leak into the rich and diverse ecosystem of the Gulf of Mexico, how are we as Christians called to respond? While it is easy to express anger and cast blame at the companies who owned, operated and profited from the deep sea exploration, we must also reflect on our own complicity through our endless demand for cheap oil. So much remains unknown: How long will the oil flow into the gulf? How far will the oil slick spread? How damaging will the spill be to fragile wetlands and the flora and fauna in the region? How will the spreading oil slick jeopardize the future of thousands of watermen and those who depend on the Gulf for their livelihoods? In the face of these uncertainties, we turn to the One who is certain – the One whose creative and recreating power is stronger than any of our human folly. May we heed the call of the Scriptures, humble ourselves and pray that God will forgive our sins and heal the land. Earth Care Congregations Certification Program to be Launched At General Assembly in July 2010, the Environmental Ministries Office of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A) will launch a new certification-Earth Care Congregations--for congregations that take concrete steps to care for creation. Click here for more information. Guidelines for Field Trips to Connect People with Creation Not enough of us take the time to truely enjoy and connect with God's Creation. A deep connection to the Creator through the Creation nourishes our spirituality as well as motivating and informing our care of all that God has entrusted to us. At the Eco-Justice Team's May 12 pre-Presbytery workshop on Church Land and Water Stewardship, co-chair Barry McPherson provided a presentation on how churches can help connect people with Creation that is filled with practical ideas and checklists for successful field trips that provide education, fellowship, and inspiration. We are pleased to share here.
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.
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 Light 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.
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.