Categories
Glad Tidings

Season of Creation: Opportunities to put our faith to work for the common good.

So, faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead. (James 2:17)

The devastating extreme weather, racial inequity, and pandemic of this past year are interconnected and provide an indication of how we are living on and treating the Earth and its inhabitants, human and nonhuman.  The Season of Creation, September 1 through October 4, observed by Christian denominations around the world, is a time to pause and think about how our lifestyles are adversely affecting God’s Creation and how we might through our faith strive   to live in a more sustainable way. 

The Episcopal Church (TEC) joins in these works. “The Season of Creation, ….is a time for renewing, repairing and restoring our relationship to God, one another, and all of creation. The Episcopal Church joins this international effort for prayer and action for climate justice and an end to environmental racism and ecological destruction. This year’s theme is A home for all? Renewing the Oikos (home) of God. In celebrating the Season, we are invited to consider anew our ecological, economic, and political ways of living.”1

TEC has provided a list of resources “on loving formation, liberating advocacy for environmental justice, and life-giving conservation and sustainability efforts.”2

Our Diocesan Mission Strategy Goals for Creation Care are also a source of ideas on specific “works” for individuals and congregations, which include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  1. Join or form a Creation Care group at your church
  2. Connect Creation Care with church life and God’s plan for salvation
  3. Develop spiritual connections between ecosystems and church 
  4. Share your Creation Care success stories with others 
  5. Assess the Racial/Social Justice implications of every Creation Care project in which we are engaged 
  6. Promote and install solar on churches 
  7. Support use of electric vehicles and charging stations 
  8. Sequester carbon in soil at home, at church, and in the field 
  9. Participate in churchyard workdays
  10. Restore and maintain wildlife habitat at church and at home
  11. Reverse biodiversity decline
  12. Increase food security: Grow a Sustenance Garden
  13. Identify and address local, state, and federal environmental advocacy opportunities

Addressing our ecological problems may appear as a daunting challenge, especially since the designated Season for Creation is for only one month. Look upon this time as one in which you can begin to make changes in the way you are living and then carry out more good works throughout the year.  Some of the most needed works like mitigating climate change require drastically lowering emissions. That is beyond what individuals can do, but we can still do our part. As Archbishop Desmond Tutu said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s these little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” 

Resources: 

  1. Mullen, Melanie, and Chatfield, Phoebe. (September 8, 2021). Creation Care. Retrieved from https://www.episcopalchurch.org/season-of-creation-and-st-francis-day-resources/

Ecumenical Steering Committee. (2021). About the Season of Creation.  Retrieved from https://seasonofcreation.org/resources/.

Categories
Caring for Creation

Restoring God’s Earth: A Year of Personal Action

Anglican theologian and biblical scholar, N. T. Wright, in his recent essay, Jesus is Coming – Plant a Tree! said that, “for early Christians, the resurrection of Jesus launched God’s new creation upon the world,” … and “God’s kingdom would come ‘on earth as in heaven.’ ” Further, Wright says, “we are called to build for the kingdom”, and “in the new creation, the ancient human mandate to look after the garden is dramatically reaffirmed.” 1

The sad reality is that we have let God down. We are not living in harmony with the earth, and in fact, we are demanding more from the earth than it can provide. 2

In September 2011, the Episcopal House of Bishops addressed our ecological challenges by issuing a Pastoral Teaching on the Environment.3  They challenged the church to face the urgency of the environmental crisis and take faithful action as an expression of our love for God and God’s creation.
The Bishops encouraged us “to take steps in our individual lives, and in community, public policy, business, and other forms of corporate decision-making, to practice environmental stewardship and justice, including (1) a commitment to energy conservation and the use of clean, renewable sources of energy; and (2) efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle, and whenever possible to buy products made from recycled materials.”

Following a period of study and reflection, on October 1, 2017 in response to the Bishop’s teaching, Church of the Nativity launched our program called “Restoring God’s Earth: A Year of Personal Action.”
Monthly, for one year, on our website www.zerowastechurch.org, we introduced a new theme, and for each week we offered several small actions that people could take to improve the way that they live on Earth.

The actions for our 12 monthly themes have been compiled, and Restoring God’s Earth is now downloadable as a PDF E-Book! 4

1. Wright, N.T. (2019) Jesus is Coming – Plant a Tree! Retrieved from https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/environment/jesus-is-coming-plant-a-tree.
2. Steffen, W. (2015). Planetary boundaries: Guiding human development on a changing planet, Science. 347 (6223): 1259855.
3. Episcopal Church House of Bishops (September 20, 2011). A Pastoral Teaching on the Environment. Retrieved from https://www.episcopalchurch.org/posts/publicaffairs/episcopal-church-house-bishops-issues-pastoral-teaching.
4. Allen, Stephanie, Gilmore, Dargan, Ridout, Karen, Sigel, Carl, and Tessier, Ailsa. (February 20, 2019). Restoring God’s Earth: A Year of Personal Action. Retrieved from http://www.zerowastechurch.org/restoring-gods-earth-a-year-personal-action/

Categories
Caring for Creation

Negative Emission Technologies: Our Pathway to a More Hopeful Future?

A report issued on October 8, 2018 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) gave the world a wake-up call. With greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions climbing and climate impacts becoming increasingly more severe, the urgency to address climate change has never been greater. To date the highest priority approach of nations has been to reduce emissions of GHGs by replacing fossil fuels with clean energy sources. Increasing energy efficiency has also been a high priority.

The latest climate science shows that in addition to reducing emissions, we also need to remove carbon from the air and store it if we are to have a good chance of achieving the global goals of limiting the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F), the temperature limit, which almost 200 countries agreed to as part of the International Paris Agreement on Climate Change (1).

Strategies that remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere are called negative emissions technologies. They are intentional human efforts to remove CO2 from the atmosphere (1, 2).

The good news is that we have options and several are based on natural systems (3, 4, 5). Recent research found that natural solutions like improved management of forests, wetlands, grasslands and engaging in regenerative agricultural can remove about 5.6 gigatons (Gt) CO2e (6) of carbon per year by 2030. Natural approaches also carry numerous co-benefits, from improving soil and water quality and increasing food security to protecting biodiversity (3).

By 2050, the world will need to sequester and store 8 GtCO2e annually on average—removing more emissions than the total U.S. GHG emissions in 2015 (6.6 GtCO2e). Between 2010 and 2100, the world will need to store about 810 GtCO2 cumulatively, the equivalent of about 20 years of global emissions given current rate (7).

While results from integrated assessment models show that NETs can play a key role in achieving the 1.5 degrees C goal, there are many challenges to scaling up and deploying them. First, the urgency of the world situation needs to be universally accepted. Second, in general NETs require long periods to put them into practice and third, thousands to millions of people need to be involved in the process on a planetary scale. Lastly, policy frameworks need to be established including incentives for early deployment, niche markets, scale-up, demand, and building public awareness (1).

References and Notes:

  1. Sabine Fuss, S., et al, Negative emissions—Part 2: Costs, potentials and side effects 2018, Environ. Res. Lett. 13 063002.
  2. Examples of NETs: Marin Carbon Project and Hyde Farm Could Make Duke U Carbon Neutral. Retrieved from https://www.marincarbonproject.org/, and http://www.wunc.org/post/hyde-farm-could-make-duke-u-carbon-neutral, respectively.
  3. Minx, J. C. et al., Negative emissions—Part 1: Research landscape and synthesis, 2018, Environ. Res. Lett, 13 063001.
  4. Griscom, B. W., et al., Natural Climate Solutions, PNAS, 114, 11645-11650 (2017).
  5. Church of the Nativity’s project Becoming the Good Soil, Bearing the Fruit That Will Last was launched two years ago to serve as a catalyst to start and advance carbon farming and composting (NETs).
  6. 1 GT (gigaton) = 1 billion metric tons = 1 petagram (Pg) = 1015g
  7. Levin, K, Mulligan, J. and Ellison, G. (March 19, 2018), Taking Greenhouse Gases from the Sky: 7 Things to Know About Carbon Removal, World Resources Institute. Retrieved from (https://www.wri.org).

Source of the image above: Nancy Bryant, Lazy Heron Farm at 3 Eagles, an organic farm that is using regenerative agricultural approaches in Stanly County, North Carolina.

Categories
Caring for Creation

Water: The Indispensable Resource

Even though about 70 percent of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, less than 1 percent is available for human use. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says that the finite sources of water are being diverted, depleted , and polluted so fast that by 2025, two thirds of the world’s population will be living in a state of serious water deprivation.

Fortunately, the City of Raleigh has ample rainfall in most years and two water supply watersheds to capture water for our use and consumption. The average household however, uses about 400 gallons of water per day, and it makes sense for all of us to understand the importance of both water efficiency and conservation and take positive actions to reduce use of water in our homes, outdoors, and at work.

Water efficiency and conservation are often used interchangeably, however, they do have subtle differences. Water efficiency generally refers to technological changes such as upgrading to a high efficiency showerhead, while conservation reflects behavioral changes such as taking shorter showers.
WaterSense is a good resource for helping us to save water and find water-efficient products that meet EPA’s criteria for efficiency and performance (https://www.epa.gov/watersense/about-watersense).

We can all exercise greater care in how we use water. The next theme for Nativity’s program Restoring God’s Earth: A Year of Personal Action will feature water efficiency and conservation. Tips for ensuring a more sustainable water future will be posted on our website, www.zerowastechurch.org in August 2018.

Categories
Caring for Creation

A Catechism of Creation, an Episcopal Understanding Provides a Biblical and Scientific Basis for Congregations to Care for Creation

A CATECHISM OF CREATION, an Episcopal Understanding was prepared for study in congregations by The Committee on Science, Technology and Faith of The Executive Council, The Episcopal Church in the United States of America. The objective was to “help Episcopalians become better informed about fundamental elements of both Christian faith and modern science. It serves as an invitation to congregations to develop an intentional ministry of caring for creation in their own communities and to inspire them to incorporate celebration of the creation in common worship. The Catechism presents the biblical basis for the church’s commitment to an ethic of caring for creation and suggests ways in which individuals and congregations might live out this ministry. A few excepts can be found below.

  1. Biblical Understanding: “Christ came not just to save our souls, but for all of God’s creation: “Christ is the Word through whom all things were made (John 1:3) and the one who holds all of creation together in himself (Col. 1:16-17). The New Testament teaches that Christ came to redeem the whole of creation and not merely human beings (Rom. 8:19-22; Eph. 1:10; Col. 1:20; 2 Cor. 5:19).”
  2. Scientific Understanding: “We can learn about the great diversity of living things and their environments, and urge our neighbors, churches and governments to become better educated about regional, national and global pressures on the environment. With better knowledge we can do a better job of keeping species and their habitats free from harm.”
  3. Putting Faith & Science into Action: “As congregations we can practice conservation and care wisely for our church properties. As individuals and congregations we can become examples and provide leadership to our local communities of wise stewardship. Likewise we can seek to influence our governments to develop wise environmental policies. As Christians we have the power of the Holy Spirit and the indwelling Spirit of Christ to give us hope and courage. Confident in that power, cooperating with God, we may act with energy to make God’s good earth a fit dwelling place for all of God’s creatures, now and for the future.”

Source: Catechism of Creation, An Episcopal Understanding, https://www.episcopalchurch.org/files/CreationCatechism.pdf

Categories
Uncategorized

Role of Community Gardens: Becoming the Beloved Community

Church of the Nativity started a community garden in 2013 for several reasons. First, we wanted a teaching garden for our youth so that they could learn an important skill, understand from where their food came, develop healthy eating habits, and connect with God’s good creation. Second, as people of faith, we felt called to address a great injustice and something that is just plain wrong – that in a land of plenty we have 50 million people who are food insecure.

Our commitment to hunger relief at Nativity first took root in 1989, when church member Jill Staton Bullard and a friend launched a food rescue operation later called the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle (IFFS). Their goal was to keep perfectly good food out of the landfill by picking it up from restaurants, grocery stores, and farmer’s markets and taking it directly to organizations that feed the hungry. Thus, by donating our produce from the garden to IFFS, Nativity had a well-established and direct way to provide fresh, nutritious, organically grown food to those in need.

Initially, we built four raised beds and subsequently expanded the garden to sixteen. During our first year, our fresh produce was picked up by IFFS and delivered to a senior center in our neighborhood. Now, Nativity gardeners deliver it directly. On the same day, an IFFS truck drops off other mainly non-perishable food items. The center consists of senior adults, many of whom rely on Social Security and also face health concerns. Without the food deliveries, it would be difficult for them to have access to the food they need. They would be eating more processed, less nutritious food. The delivery process is managed by one of the center residents, Florence. After the food is delivered, 3 residents at a time get to “shop” for free food.

Florence says the deliveries do more than just provide nutritious food – they inspire a sense of community. When a new resident moves in, he or she is welcomed with a reusable grocery bag and an invitation to shop. On delivery days the residents gather early in the multipurpose room and chat about food and recipes. The fresh ingredients inspire residents to cook and share meals. During illnesses or after hospital visits, residents check on one another, and offer assistance including home cooked meals. Florence says, “it really knits this little community together.”

Our church’s participation in this program has also been transformative for us. With the gardeners delivering the food they are getting to know personally those who are benefiting from our outreach, and they more fully understand the impact of our ministry. The last couple of years two Nativity teenagers made most of the deliveries. Their family also manages one of the raised beds and helped with the installation of the garden. Through the Nativity Community Garden our members feel we are truly growing in God’s creation, and we are bringing hope and resilience to some needy citizens in our community. We are doing our part to Become the Beloved Community.

Categories
Uncategorized

Restoring God’s Earth: New Process for Composting in the Nativity Community Garden

As we work to Restore God’s Earth, the amount of compostable material donated to Nativity from church members has increased significantly. I am aware that the bin we use for new material is full again. I will address that situation this week. (Perhaps when it warms up a little).

With the new green bin provided by Rene, we will have a 3 step process for producing compost. I will label the 3 bins to make the process clearer.

We will continue using the round black bin on the right for new material. On a regular basis, we will need to add brown material (such as ground up leaves) to the first bin to maintain a balance between green and brown material. (Source: I am shredding leaves at home). Nearly completely composted material will be removed from the bottom of the first bin and placed into the other round black bin. If not sufficiently composted, some of that material may be recycled to the top of the first bin for another pass.

Material removed from the bottom of the second bin will be stored in the new green bin. That material will be ready for gardeners to apply to their gardens. I will put a hard surface under the green bin to keep weeds from growing into it. Without a barrier between the bottom of the bins and the ground, we have had a problem with wire grass growing into the compost bins.

When adding new material to the first bin, please refrain from adding vegetation (weeds) with seeds pulled from garden beds or sticks or woody material (scatter that material in the woods). Woody material does not compost readily, makes it difficult to “turn over” and mix what is in the bins, and as that material degrades, it consumes nitrogen. Also, please don’t add compostable material in plastic bags unless you know the bags are biodegradable. Even though some materials are labeled as compostable that does not mean they will degrade by using a backyard composting process. They may just be compostable using a commercial process. (Sorry this is so complicated).

Another way that you can help the composting process along is to cut or chop up vegetation before adding it to the first bin. It composts much more quickly that way.

I thank you all for participating in this adventure, and I hope that you all share with me the tremendous satisfaction in knowing that Nativity is doing our part in caring for God’s wonderful creation. In nature, except for humans, everything is recycled. We can be in harmony with the rest of creation. And, by sharing the fruits of our labor from the Nativity Community Garden, we are caring for our neighbors while helping to build sustainability in our community.

Categories
Uncategorized

Becoming the Good Soil: A Brochure to Share with Your Faith Community

Becoming the Good Soil is a project to address climate change and increase food security initiated by Church of the Nativity. The rationale for the project and helpful resources are contained in a tri-fold brochure that can be printed and/or shared.

This project is supported by a grant from the Advisory Council on the Stewardship of Creation, The Episcopal Church, and is part of the Sacred Foodscapes Program of North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light, a program of the NC Council of Churches.

Trifold_Becoming the Good Soil v2 090117

Categories
Uncategorized

Becoming the Good Soil: A Theological Understanding

Throughout the bible there is reference to the good (fertile) soil (Ezekiel 17:5) and its importance to both our physical and spiritual well-being (Luke 8:5, Mark 4:26-29). In the parable of the good soil Jesus says ”other seeds fell on good soil (in contrast to thorns and rocks) and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Let anyone with ears listen.”(Matthew 13:5-9). Finally concerning God’s commandment to care for others, Jesus calls us to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last (John 15:16).

In the modern world, it behooves us take a broader and more practical view of God’s commandment to keep the garden. When humankind inherited the garden, the soil was “good” and furthermore, there was a natural process for maintaining the fertility. Now, about 40% of the soil around the world is seriously degraded, and scientists predict we will need to feed 9+ billion people by 2050. So as not to perish, humankind must not only care for the garden but also beyond the garden. We must marshal our resources and develop them effectively with sustainability and resilience in mind.

We are called to this mission by our Presiding Bishop, the Most Rev. Michael B. Curry who encourages us to care for our neighbor and ”to go to Galilee”. As members of Nativity one way we perceive that this call to action is to serve as a catalyst – to start and advance the carbon farming work to a level where others with greater knowledge, expertise, and responsibility can carry it forward. We also believe strongly that because of the covenant we all have with God, the greater faith community has 1) a responsibility to engage in and facilitate this process, and 2) to amplify the moral call to create a better future for all life on Earth. And so, an important aspect of our work is to build support within our own congregation as well as to invite members of other faith communities to participate.

Categories
Uncategorized

Becoming the Good Soil: Relationships between Food Production, Climate, and Soil

In the endeavor to produce more nutritious food, one of humanities greatest challenges is that many of the steps that might be taken to increase food productivity will have the opposite effect because of climate change. About 25% of the planet’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions result from agriculture and deforestation (1), and as the planet warms, crop yields are decreasing (2). The major sources of the three main biogenic GHGs from agriculture and land-use change are carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide (N2O). To avoid the most serious consequences of climate change, emissions of these gases from burning fossil fuels and engaging in agriculture must be reduced, and in addition, excess carbon needs to be withdrawn from the atmosphere and sequestered into the soil.

1) Paustian, et al. Climate Smart Soils, Nature, 532, 49-57 (2016).
2) Premanandh, J, Factors affecting food security and contribution of modern technologies in food sustainability, J. Sci Food Agric 91:2707-2714 (2011).