Ideas for your congregation, compiled by the Creation Care Task Force of Diocesan Council
The Creation Care Task Force is a group appointed by Diocesan Council for the purpose of responding to 2018 General Convention resolutions on the priority of creation care in all our churches. As a start, we’ve developed a list of 10 ways (well, 10 plus one more) your congregation can care for creation. Look for more information as our mission develops.
- Recycle everything possible!
- Have a free energy audit done on your building (Contact National Grid or RISE — the regional program administrator for National Grid’s EnergyWise home energy services in Rhode Island.).
- Eliminate disposable/single use items. Use china, glassware, silverware and ceramic mugs for coffee hour instead.
- Treat your church’s lawn with organic fertilizer, and use environmentally friendly cleaning products in your church (see EWG.org for a list).
- Make all meetings paperless (Send documents in advance by email and project others on a screen.).
- Create a seasonal worship bulletin template with a weekly changeable insert to save paper on printing.
- Designate one Sunday a month as “Carpool Sunday” when church members are encouraged to share rides, build fellowship and save gasoline.
- Replace all lightbulbs with long-lasting, energy-efficient LED bulbs.
- Start a vegetable garden (use compost from coffee hour) or a flower garden (for prayer).
- Install programmable thermostats to regulate energy use in times of limited occupancy.
- Install solar panels, electric car charging stations or rain barrels — they all help maximize natural resources.