10 Green Actions For Congregations
An increasing number of congregations in the greater Omaha area are setting an example for others in the ways they are choosing to be good stewards of the Earth, from simple actions like switching to energy-conserving light bulbs or banning styrofoam cups and other disposables–to more complicated steps like creating a community garden on their church grounds or collaborating with other local organizations on service projects. The following are examples of just some of the things congregations can do:
- Organize a green congregation program in your place of worship and work toward having it certified. The website of Green Faith, an interfaith coalition, has a step-by-step certification program: www.greenfaith.org
- Download and begin putting into practice the 37-page Guide For Congregations: Putting Energy Into Stewardship: www.energystar.gov/congregations
- Have “Potluck & DVD Nights” and show documentaries on nature and the environment, followed by a speaker and/or a discussion. Three examples: Energy Conservation, Kilowatt Ours, and Dive! Look for more DVD titles at your neighborhood library or visit: www.greenplanetfilms.com
- Encourage the young people in your congregation to start an educational and action club run by and for youth.
- Plant a community garden if there is adequate space on your grounds, or work with another congregation that already has a garden or would like to start one. To download the Douglas County Health Department’s 68-page pdf, Start a Community Garden Toolkit, visit: www.douglascounty-ne.gov/gardens/. The Big Garden website has a lot of useful information: www.gardenbig.org. Two more helpful websites: American Community Gardening Association: www.communitygarden.org and UNL Extension: www.food.unl.edu/UrbanAg
- Donate food from your backyard gardens to the Omaha Food Bank or another food bank in your neighborhood. To find local food banks, visit: www.feedingamerica.org
- Create toolkits to enable interested members of your congregation organize community service projects. For examples, United We Serve.Gov has the following eight toolkits on its website: Support Local Food Banks, Organize a Clothing Drive, Read With Children, Organize a Book Drive, Audit Your Home, Maintain Public Lands, Support Community Gardens, and Starting a Walking Team. www.serve.gov/toolkits.asp
- Set up a lending library or exchange program of books and DVDs about nature and the environment for all ages.
- Start a nature club for individuals and families. Consider including service outings and projects as part of the club’s programs, for example: turning an empty lot into a community garden, adopting a nearby park to clean up on your walks, or dropping off flyers to homes in your neighborhood to raise awareness about electronics waste recycling and other stewardship projects. A free downloadable kit for starting and maintaining a nature club is available at: www.childrenandnature.org
- Form a simplicity circle. Read and discuss books and DVDs about simple living and the individuals and families who have chosen this way of life. This website provides a lot of how-to information: www.simpleliving.org
Contributed by Helen Deffenbacher, GNC Co-Chair
