Are you interested in living the Green Life?

So are we! Our Green Team is always seeking new ways to help others live the Green Life by providing methods to live a more environmentally friendly life.

Here is a beautiful piece of writing about creation:

You never enjoy the world, aright, till the Sea itself floweth in your veins, till you are clothed with the heavens, and crowned with the stars; and perceive yourself to be the sole heir of the whole world, and more than so, because men are in it who are every one sole heirs as well as you. Till you can sing and rejoice and delight in God, as misers do in gold, and Kings in sceptres, you never enjoy the world...
Yet further, you never enjoy the world aright; till you so love the beauty of enjoying it, that you are covetous and earnest to persuade others to enjoy it.
--Thomas Traherne  

Check out this new book:  Serve God Save the Planet 

Written by Dr. J. Matthew Sleeth

Serve God, Save the Planet addresses the questions:

• How can I live a more godly, equitable, and meaningful life?
• How can I help people today and in the future?
• How can I be less materialistic?
• How can I live a more charitable life?
• What would happen if I led a slower-paced existence?

Dr. Sleeth writes:  “Serve God, Save the Planet is meant to elicit personal accountability rather than political change.  Its lessons are meant to teach individuals, families, and communities not much larger than a congregation; and yet it looks at larger issues because they profoundly affect each of us.”

“I am convinced that when the church becomes fully engaged in the problems of creation care, we will overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.  As all those who consider themselves people of faith grow in their understanding that God holds us accountable for care of his creation, we will begin to see positive changes on an unprecedented scale.”

                                 What We're Doing as a Community:

FPC is committed to being good stewards of God's creation, therefore we are always seeking new ways to live a greener life. At the church we have recently:

* Renovated and insulated our music room which has cut down on the cost of energy.
* Added 16 new energy-efficient windows 
* Switched the light bulbs in the youth room to compact fluorescent bulbs.
* Started a monthly trash pick-up at a local park
* Started going "paperless" for our 8:30 contemporary worship service

Energy Star for Congregations! Check out this resource for more info on what we (and other congregations) can be doing to make their building more energy efficient and holier for the environment!

What more can we do??? The possibilities are endless! We hope that you will join our efforts and sign up to be part of the FPC GREEN TEAM.

 

 

Here's a few ideas for living The Green Life from greenpeace.org

 Water

Energy

• Conserve fuel by turning down the heat at night and while you are away from your home — or install a programmable thermostat.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs.
• Insulate your home against heat loss and periodically check insulation.
• Fix air leaks with weather stripping and caulking.
• In the winter, change your furnace air filters once a month. The heater uses more energy when it is full of dust.
• Insulate your electric hot water heater and pipes. Do not, however, insulate gas heaters and only start insulating gas heater pipes about six inches away from the heater.
• Avoid using cars — walk, cycle or use public transportation whenever possible.
• Avoid anything battery operated (or use rechargables or solar rechargables if batteries are unavoidable).
• Buy locally — not only is it good for the local economy, it will save energy because products haven’t traveled across the globe to get to you.

Toxins

• Use non-toxic cleaning alternatives in your home.
• Furnish your home with furniture made out of natural fibres, wood, metal and glass.
• Avoid the use of polyvinyl chloride (also known as PVC or vinyl) in your home. The entire life cycle of products made from PVC pollutes the environment and your home. PVC items include shower curtains, flooring, even some children’s toys.
• Avoid the use of aerosols.
• Use castor or mineral oils to lubricate switches and hinges instead of lubricants containing solvents.
• Choose water based latex paints over solvent based paints when painting your home. Never use lead based paints.
• If you have a furnace, fireplace or gas heater, have them serviced regularly to prevent deadly fumes and install a carbon monoxide detector.
• Ensure you have good ventilation and balanced humidity in your home to prevent the growth of mould and mildew, which can be harmful to your health.

Waste

• Do not throw out your toxic household wastes, such as paint, paint thinner, and car fluids, in the garbage or down the drain. Check with your local facilities for proper disposal and avoid these products in the future.
• Take your own bags to the grocery store. If you take plastic bags, use them until they are worn out.
• Compost your food waste and use as nutrient rich soil for your lawn.
• Avoid excess packaging.
• Always use reusables mugs, lunch containers, batteries, pens, razors, etc.
• Replace paper products with reusable ones (use recycled, non-chlorine bleached paper when you do have to use paper).