Care For Creation at Central
…and God saw everything that God had made, and, indeed, it was very good.
“Love God, love neighbor, care for creation.” Care for creation is a spiritual issue. God’s presence fills the natural world with splendor. A full relationship with God includes caring for creation.
“Care for creation, do justice, seek peace.” Restoring healthy ecosystems goes hand-in-hand with our faith-based struggle for justice and commitment to peace on Earth.
Central’s Care for Creation team works in five main areas: worship, education, building & grounds, personal lifestyle, and public advocacy. We offer resources, practices, and guidance so care of creation is holistic.
To connect with Central’s Care for Creation team contact: careforcreation@centralportland.org
INTERGENERATIONAL EARTH DAY ACTIVITY FAIRE!
Sunday, April 21 @ 9 am
All ages are invited to gather in the Fellowship Room on Sunday morning, April 21 from 9 to 10 am to celebrate and learn about our beautiful planet, Mother Earth.
Bethany Thomas, Co-Founder and Co-Director of Ecology in Classrooms and Outdoors (www.ecologyoutdoors.org) – and a member of Central! – has designed a variety of earth and nature-focused stations for participants to visit and learn. Activities will be fun for young kids, older folks and everyone in between. We might do some plant identification, bird-making, rock identification, animal art and/or other activities (to be revealed). There will also be a Care for Creation table with information about resources and opportunities.
Please join us for this lively and interactive morning!
DO JUST ONE THING…. and then another…
Margaret Meade said “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” But those committed folks didn’t come up with one grandiose act that made all the difference. They each did one thing… and then another…and then another…
There is also no doubt that our planet Earth, God’s marvelous gift of Creation, is troubled. Hurricanes, heat waves, ice-caps melting. Our Earth is speaking. This is a spiritual issue: we must respond. We CAN do something. It doesn’t need to be grandious. Just something, and something else…
Throughout 2013, Care for Creation will share one idea each week about how we can each act with intention to live more lightly on the earth. Visit this page again to watch our list grow. Email us with your own ideas: careforcreation@centralportland.org. Thank you!
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1. Will you be updating your computer this year? If so, you may wonder what to do with your old one. Well, you're in luck! Portland is home to Free Geek, a non-profit organization that recycles old computers and teaches people how to build their own computer in exchange for volunteer hours. They are open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Free Geek is located at 1731 SE 10th Ave., 503-232-9350. Here's a link to their website, where you can learn more: www.freegeek.org.
2. Think “reuse” before “recycle.” Be creative: find ways to reuse or re-purpose things rather than toss them in the recycling bin. Return egg cartons to chicken farmers. Bring your own take-home containers to restaurants for left-overs. Donate your reusable materials to reuse centers: The ReBuilding Center, Goodwill, Value Village. “Freecycle” things on your curb. Take the time to post reusable materials on Craig’s List. (Go to www.craigslist.org. Click on “post to classified.” Then click on “for sale.” Then click on “free stuff.” Post whatever you have. You’ll be amazed at the response!)
3. Use Less Plastic. Plastic is forever. Plastic poisons our food chain. Plastic recycling is not the solution. Think twice every time you purchase something that involves plastic. Don’t take that plastic bag. Buy cream cheese in the box instead of the plastic container. Intentionally choose NOT to buy items that come in plastic. Bring your own bags and buy bulk items. Drink tap water instead of bottled water. Share your ideas for other ways we can all use less plastic.
Catherine ponders which sprouts she will take home to plant in her garden. Central's Earth Day Plant Starter Exchange was incorporated into our April 22 Intergenerational Earth Day education program.
Partners in Care for Creation:
++Lutherans Restoring Creation
www.lutheransrestoringcreation.org
++EcoFaith Recovery
www.ecofaithrecovery.org
++Oregon Interfaith Power and Light
www.emoregon.org/power_light.php