Eco-Justice, ecology and theology

How does your Parish think globally and act locally?

• Building by individuals
  • Keep a personal/group theological perspective in mind
  • Look for practical things we can do as individuals and Parishes
  • Learn from one another
  • Teach your children and allow them to teach you
  • Order your free pesticide elimination kit from the Green Communities Association

• Do you have a recycling program within the church?

• How are your practices in the kitchen, office, coffee hour?
• How does your church conserve energy?
• How do you care for gardens and grounds? Have you created any new gardens? Have you refrained from using pesticides?
• Other than taking care to use the blue and black boxes as prescribed, do you recycle in any other way in the church?
• Do you have any group in the church taking the lead in promoting good care of God's creation through environmental stewardship and worship practices?
• Are you using the book "Renewing our Relationship with the Earth?" which was given to each parish in the Diocese?
• Is care for creation the focus of any service, or included in the Prayers of the People?
• Is there any symbol of creation in your church?
• The Green Church Awards are an initiative of the Eco-Justice, Ecology and Theology Work Group of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. An independent panel will review all submissions.

• Save Energy; Reduce Pollution
• Carpool to church whenever possible
• Put a bicycle rack outside your church to encourage cyclists/li>
• Driving at moderate speeds saves energy and reduces pollution.>
• Leave a few minutes earlier to get to church on time without travelling at high speeds

• Avoid using disposable dishes, cups, serviettes and cutlery whenever possible
• If you must use disposable plates and cups, purchase paper products that are more environmentally friendly
• Offer bowls of sugar and a jug of milk instead of the single servings of sugar, milk/cream which generate plastic and paper waste
• Buy reusable tablecloths that can be wiped & reused instead of single-use paper ones

• Make sure that there are adequate recycling facilities in your church. There should be boxes for paper, cans, glass and plastic
• Compostable materials can either be put in a composter on church property or taken home by parishioners to be turned into a rich organic fertilizer

• Print your church bulletin and other handouts on both sides of the paper. Use recycled paper whenever possible. Make sure recycling bins are available in the church for those not taking their bulletins home
• One-sided printed documents should be used as scrap paper or by the Sunday school for art work. Following these tips will save hundreds of trees that help to keep our air clean

• Organize church gardening parties and make garden planting and maintenance a social event
• Avoid cutting lawns low. Taller grass (2.5 inches) holds water better and is more resistant to burning from the sun. Churches with small lawns should consider using push mower that help keep the air clean
• Tree plantings are a great way to honour parish achievements and provide greenery and shade to church properties
• These environmental tips are brought to you by the Ecology and Theology Working Group of the Anglican Diocese of Ottawa. They are taken from "Renewing Our Relationship with the Earth", a helpful environmental guide available at your church or by clicking here