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 Deanie Anderson, deanieha@comcast.net, Barry McPherson, bdmcpherson@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.

Become a certified Earth Care Congregation Congregation! Find out more here http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/environment/earth-care-congregations/

Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC)

Join with other Presbyterians in an nationwide eco-justice network

Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC), formerly Presbyterians for Restoring Creation, is a nationwide network that cares for God’s Creation by: Connecting with God and others through biblical and theological reflection, study, and experiencing God in Creation; Equipping members with news and effective tools and resources; Inspiring members through conferences on timely eco-justice issues and Creation-honoring worship.
www.presbyearthcare.org

Rain Gardens

Nestucca Valley Presbyterian Inspires Watershed Stewardship (PDF)

Church Rain Gardens for Creation Stewardship (PDF)

Oregon Rain Garden Guide (PDF)
A Step-by-step Guide to Landscaping for Clean Water and Healthy Streams

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 Webinar on Earth Care Congregations and Energy Star Wednesday, October 6, 2010 PC(USA) Congregations that are interested in working on earth care are invited to participate in a webinar from PC(USA) Environmental Ministries and ENERGY STAR for Congregations called “Earth Care Congregations and How ENERGY STAR Can Help” on Wednesday, October 6 from 3:00-4:00pm Eastern/noon to 1:00 p.m. Pacific. Earth Care Congregations is a new program thatencourages churches to care for God’s earth and honors churches that have committed to this important mission. The webinar will explain how churches can become an Earth Care Congregation and how ENERGY STAR’s Portfolio Manager can be used to help churches become more energy efficient. Sign up for the webinar. Learn more about Earth Care Congregations. Please email Katie Holmes at katie.holmes@pcusa.org with questions. More information can be found at here. 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: A Resource for Action and Recognition Is your congregation looking for a framework for starting a Creation Care team? Or do you want to do more and get recognized for it? Use “Earth Care Congregations: A Guide to Greening Presbyterian Churches” to find ideas for earth care projects and to become certified as an Earth Care Congregation through Environmental Ministries. To become certified as Earth Care Congregations churches take the “Earth Care Pledge” and complete activities and projects in the fields of worship, education, facilities and outreach. “A Guide to Greening Presbyterian Churches” provides congregations with worksheets, resources and instructions for becoming an Earth Care Congregation. Check the new PCUSA Earth Care Congregations certification program at http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/environment/earth-care-congregations/. 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.
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.