Eco-Stewardship
“As centers of hope and transformation, local churches are called to the work
Are you concerned about our stewardship of creation? We believe that God’s evolving creation is extravagantly interrelated, and that our planet is facing significant environmental issues. At First Church Cambridge, we recognize the moral imperative to be stewards of what we have been given. Please see below for some resources and springboards for thought from recent meetings on this theme, and for more information, please contact Dan Smith: dsmith@firstchurchcambridge.org.
Just Environmental Practices for our Church Household
o Sharing our resources for the common good
o Bearing witness (i.e. Climate Convocation and Oct. 24 Day of Action)
o Socially Responsible Investing
o Lighting /Energy Audits (i.e scavenger hunt)
o Recycling
o Fair Trade Coffee
o Promote simplicity in funeral arrangements
o Other___________________________
Just Environmental Practices for our own Homes
SABBATH KEEPING
* Take a day week free of buying or selling or using electronics
* Take a day a week free of driving
* Take a day a week to cultivate your relationship with God
* Other_________________________________
SHARING THINGS IN COMMON
* Practice stewardship of your resources. Try “off the top”, percentage giving.
* “Go in on” your next big purchase with a neighbor.
* Live in a coop, or live as cooperatively as possible.
* Other_________________________________
TRANSPORTATION
* Drive less
* Sell a car and use Zip-Car when not biking, walking or public transit
* Drive fuel efficient vehicles
* Other_________________________________
ENERGY AND WATER
* Have an energy audit of your home. Then, insulate!
* Install solar panel, or solar attic fans
* Turn AC off or down. Turn heat down.
* Use compact fluorescents and keep them off when not in use
* Plug electronics into power strip and turn power strip off when not in use.
* Hang laundry to dry, rather than using machine (and fossil fuels!)
* Buy only energy efficient appliances
* Drink tap water.
* Other_________________________________
SHOPPING
* Think before you buy
* Buy less and buy local and/or fair trade products
* Purchase eco-friendly products(less plastic, non-toxic cleaning agents, etc)
* Buy quality products that will last, not cheap that will be thrown away.
* Recycle what you buy. Handle e-waste properly.
* Other_________________________________
FOOD
* Eat less meat.
* Buy local. Support local farmers. Join a Community Supported Agriculture
* Buy in bulk and use refillable containers
* Use reusable shopping bags.
* Take reusable mugs to work, to church, to coffee shops. Use less disposables.
* Compost
* Other_______________________________
OTHER
* Make green funeral arrangements
* Become “Carbon Neutral” (calculate carbon emissions, purchase offsets, etc)
* Bear witness, through activism, letters to govt officials and big business
* Other_________________________________
Environmental Resources provided by the national offices of the United Church of Christ.
What does the Bible have to say about our care for the environment?