Earth Care

   ,, “…God’s work in creation is too wonderful, too ancient, too beautiful, too good to be desecrated… Restoring creation is God’s own work in our time, in which God comes both to judge and to restore…”
—PC(USA) Environmental Policy

Is your church active in earth care or interested in becoming more involved in being stewards of God’s earth? The Presbytery’s Earth Care Subcommittee is here to help!

Earth Care is a subcommittee of the Justice and Mercy Commission, made up of members of congregations that are answering the call to make creation care a vital part of their ministries.  While some congregations become certified as a PC(USA) Earth Care Congregation (see below for more information), others are pursuing earth care in their own way; the choice is up to the congregation.

Presbytery of the Peaks Earth Care Mission Statement

Connect, equip, and inspire congregations within the Presbytery to adopt and integrate earth care into the life of their churches, homes, and communities.

Connecting through a grassroots network of people seeking to proclaim and be actively involved in earth care ministry both inside and outside the walls of the Church.

Equipping with resources, ideas, and information for a shared journey toward a healthier planet, including the sharing of theological understandings and perspectives related to stewardship and protection of God’s creation.

Inspiring through the sharing of stories, testimonies, and ministries from individuals, groups, and congregations who have responded to God’s call to care for the earth.

 Click here to download the new Peaks Earth Care mission flyer.

Attention all congregations:  Apply now for an Earth Care Mini-Grant! Earth Care Mini Grant Application

Interested in joining our email list?  Drop an email to Denny Casey, d.a.casey@comcast.net

Earth Care In Your Neighborhood

To better facilitate communication and support at the local level, our goal is to have a contact person in each of the Peaks Neighborhoods to ‘connect, equip and inspire’ earth care programs for any congregation involved in or considering creation care in their ministry.

For the complete list of workgroup members, click here.

For more info, reach out to:
Denny Casey,  Justice and Mercy Chair, d.a.casey@comcast.net

Vernie Bolden, Justice and Mercy Specialist, vernie@peakspresbytery.org

Denny Casey, Facilitator, d.a.casey@comcast.net

Earth Care Spotlight: 

The white, porous styrofoam used in food containers, coffee cups, and package cushioning is technically expanded polystyrene foam. Churches often throw away a lot of these containers, especially coffee cups.

What’s the problem?
• Styrofoam is not biodegradable and takes up to 500 years to decompose.
• Styrofoam products break into small fragments that pollute our land and waterways. Fish and land animals mistakenly eat them and fall ill or die as aresult.
• Heated containers can release toxic chemicals into food, and sunlight can heat them enough to leach chemicals into the environment.

What are some alternatives?
• Bring your own reusable cups, containers, and utensils from home.
• At church events, use “real” cups, dishes, and utensils that can be put in the dishwasher. Take home leftovers in other types of containers.
• Use disposable paper products, especially coated ones that resist moisture.  Paper is eco-friendly and will biodegrade when placed in landfills. If clean, it can also be recycled.
• Look for biodegradable products made from corn or derived from sugar cane processing.
Many recycling centers will not accept styrofoam products.

Congregations Engaged in Earth Care

Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church

        

Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church began a community garden in 2013.  Ten years later, the garden continues to thrive and serve many organizations in the Lynchburg area.  The first year of the garden produced less than 50 pounds of food.  This past year, 1,130 pounds was donated.  If your church is interested in starting a community garden continue reading below.

Quaker Memorial Spring Update and Planting Diagrams 

ECS Presentation for Quaker Memorial Garden, Oct. 10, 2022

Composting at Quaker memorial 2013-2024

Blacksburg Presbyterian Church Season of Creation

           

Colonial Tree Planting

     

To find ideas for earth care projects or to apply to become certified, check out:
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/environment/earth-care-congregations/

To learn more:
https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/environment/earth-care-congregations/
https://presbyearthcare.org/earth-care-congregations/
https://presbyearthcare.org/resources/pcusa-programs/

Peaks Presbytery Earth Care Congregations:
Blacksburg Presbyterian Church 

Covenant Presbyterian Church

Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church

“We recognize and accept (that) restoring creation (is) a central concern of the church, to be incorporated into its life and mission at every level, with major implications for infusion into theological work, evangelism, education, justice and peacemaking, worship and liturgy, public witness, global mission and congregational service, and action at the community level.”

– General Assembly PCUSA 1990