Earth Care – Give of Yourself: Ecology

We consider ecology part of theology. We want to be stewards, protectors, and defenders of all creation.

United Methodists believe all people have basic rights and concerns: the right to live in a community free of toxic and hazardous substances; the right to clean air, the minimization of chemical use, responsible land use, and more. Working together, we look toward a healthy future.

Get involved:

• Recycle Favorite Tee Shirt
• Befriend Canning Garden
• Join Eyeglass Recycling
• Conduct An Energy Audit
• Handle e-Waste Properly
• Recycle Aluminum Cans
• Get Your Carbon Footprint
• Teach Our Children

Ultimately, stewardship of the natural world begins at home with us - our use of resources, the lifestyles we cultivate, and the economies we support.

Read more at: http://www.rethinkchurch.org/article/give-yourself-ecology

Earth Care: Warm Weather Is Upon Us!

The warm weather is finally upon us and our thoughts have turned to gardening. Here are some great ideas that will help you keep your garden green while keeping the local environment green, as well.

The decrease of America’s water resources due to disappearing lakes and reservoirs, population growth, and drought has increased the need for more efficient ways of using water. Outside water use accounts for approximately 80% of water used during the summer months.

Plant Selection - Start with Indigenous Species

One of the best ways to enjoy a green garden is by planting what are known as indigenous species – those that are natural to the area. These types of plants have learned to naturally deal with our climate, soil, and pests, so they thrive without too much help from us. Don’t forget to mulch!

Lawns can be high consumers of water use and maintenance

Consider reducing the lawn area of your yard and selecting grasses that require less moisture. Raise your mower height to ensure survival during drought or extreme heat and do not bag clippings to help retain moisture. Know when to water your lawn. The best time is 6:00 to 8:00 a.m. when evaporation is at a minimum.

Remember it is up to you to take actions to protect God's Creation.

For more hints to reduce you summer footprint, check out the Missouri Botanical Garden’s Kemper Center

Earth Care – The Phase-Out of Incandescent Light Bulbs: What You Need To Know

The incandescent bulb hasn’t changed much since Thomas Edison patented it in 1879. More than one hundred years later, the familiar bulbs still push electricity through a wire filament – and still waste a whole lot of energy.

Ninety percent of the energy pumped through an incandescent light bulb is wasted as heat; that’s why traditional bulbs are so hot to the touch. However, thanks to a piece of 2007 legislation, traditional incandescent bulbs will soon become a thing of the past.

The Bush-era law, called the Energy Independence and Security Act, set energy-efficiency standards for light bulbs that will come fully into effect in 2012. The law will require light bulbs to use 25-30 percent less power than incandescents use today.

It’s a mandate that will quickly slash residential and commercial energy use, lowering the nation’s carbon footprint and utility bills at the same time.
For consumers, the biggest deterrent to choosing CFLs and LEDs “is the initial cost.” Yet although CFLs and LEDs cost more initially, over time they can save you hundreds of dollars in reduced energy costs. This is one case where being good stewards of the environment also makes you a good financial steward.

Earth Care: Taking Small Steps

All of us want to help God’s world -- reaching out to the dispossessed and impoverished, fighting to keep the beauty of His creation unsullied -- but the devil is always in the details. We have to work within the constraints of our lifestyle, our relationships and our pocketbooks and begin to ask ourselves, “How radical can I be?”

First, don’t give up. God smiles when we do the right thing. Even if all seems lost, we must fight on the side of what is right. Shifting from a comfortable lifestyle to a life that honors God’s creation isn’t always convenient or comfortable.

Secondly, you will actually make money if you use compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. Just compare the electricity bills! Admittedly, their slow ‘warm-up’ can be strange at first; and some lights can be difficult to replace. But each bulb helps, and that electricity saved means less pollution all around.

Third, cut back on your use of plastics. If you do use them, recycle them at the grocery store. You can recycle every bit of flimsy plastic: plastic bags that held the veggies in my grocery shopping, the plastic bags wrapping my daily newspaper. This garbage is therefore prevented from choking sea turtles and trashing God’s planet. Such efforts cost you nothing.

So, we do small things, and we occasionally gather the courage to do some of the bigger things. And we are blessed. Join us in doing the same.
For more information, check out www.blessedearth.org

Plastic Bags!

In various places all over this country, people are waking up to the problem of plastics bags—namely that they are ubiquitous, end up in trees and water ways, and just about never break down. News of taxes or bans on plastic bags is spreading, and some people, who are trying to be more earth friendly or who want to prepare for the inevitable in their communities, are attempting to go plastic bag-less. That means you have to remember to bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store and actually use them.

Why are plastic bags so bad? Four to five trillion plastic bags are manufactured each year. Americans use over 380 billion polyethylene bags per year. Americans throw away approximately 100 billion polyethylene bags per year. Of those 100 trillion plastic bags, 1% is recycled. It takes 1000 years for polyethylene bags to break down.

So what can you do?

• Consider carrying your own reusable shopping bags. Just in time for the holidays, Target will give customers a 5 cent discount for every reusable bag they use to pack their purchases.
  
• If you do take home plastic bags from the store, be sure to recycle it! Every major grocery store has a bin up front for you to drop off your plastic bags, no matter where you received them.

Please remember, “All creation is the Lord’s, and we are responsible for the ways in which we use and abuse it.” - Excerpted from the current UMC Social Principle, “The Natural World.”

Cutting your energy costs nearly in half

There is nothing that say’s being good stewards of the earth can’t benefit you personally!
These are some simple things that any individual can do to realize huge savings on long-term energy costs:

1. Save 10% or more on your energy costs simply by plugging any air leaks around your windows and doors. With Fall coming up now is the perfect time to check all windows, doors and cracks. Add or replace caulk and weather-strip cold air outside.
2. Replace your air filters. Dirty air filters will cause your furnace to work harder than necessary, which can increase your energy bills. A clean furnace filter can cut your heating bill by 5% to 15%. It will also improve the air quality in your home.
3. Install a programmable thermostat and you can save up to 15% on your energy. to save up to $180 a year in energy costs.
4. Choose ENERGY STAR appliances and electronics. Products save 20% to 30% less energy than their conventional counterparts to earn an Energy Star label.
5. Upgrade your water heater to save energy. Reducing the use of hot water will help save energy. Depending on your budget for upgrades, you may consider replacing a water heater with a more efficient one, or adding a low cost water heater jacket to help retain heat within the tank for longer periods of time. Depending on the hot water heater, you may have to unhook your unit, drain it and reinstall it, but you'll save 4% to 9% on your water heating bill with the jacket alone.

If you need help with any of these items please contact one of our pastors. Members of the Men’s Group and the Green Team will be glad to help.

5 Simple Steps to Cut Your Energy Costs Nearly in Half

There is nothing that say’s being good stewards of the earth can’t benefit you personally!

These are some simple things that any individual can do to realize huge savings on long-term energy costs:

1. Save 10% or more on your energy costs simply by plugging any air leaks around your windows and doors. With Fall coming up now is the perfect time to check all windows, doors and cracks. Add or replace caulk and weather-strip cold air outside.
2. Replace your air filters. Dirty air filters will cause your furnace to work harder than necessary, which can increase your energy bills. A clean furnace filter can cut your heating bill by 5% to 15%. It will also improve the air quality in your home.
3. Install a programmable thermostat and you can save up to 15% on your energy. to save up to $180 a year in energy costs.
4. Choose ENERGY STAR appliances and electronics. Products save 20% to 30% less energy than their conventional counterparts to earn an Energy Star label.
5. Upgrade your water heater to save energy. Reducing the use of hot water will help save energy. Depending on your budget for upgrades, you may consider replacing a water heater with a more efficient one, or adding a low cost water heater jacket to help retain heat within the tank for longer periods of time. Depending on the hot water heater, you may have to unhook your unit, drain it and reinstall it, but you'll save 4% to 9% on your water heating bill with the jacket alone.

If you need help with any of these items please contact one of our pastors. Members of the Men’s Group and the Green Team will be glad to help.