Search

47 items
list | grid

47 items

  • 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess

    Overwhelmed by the excess in her own life, Jen Hatmaker and her family set out on a project they called “Seven.” Highlighting seven areas of excess, they committed to living a little more simply every month. Originally published in 2011 and updated in 2017, 7 has been utilized for book studies in many Christian faith communities. For those overwhelmed with the task of implementing creation care in their own lives, Hatmaker’s memoir tells of her family’s practical and faith inspired experiment. More information about Hatmaker’s project can be found on her blog.

  • Faith Based Farms

    Faith Based Farms is a webinar about families and communities from across the United States demonstrating their faith through farming. Colm Flynn, a freelance reporter, conducted his research by traveling from New Jersey, to Wisconsin, and to Michigan. During his journey, he enjoyed conversations with a range of diverse individuals and faith-based groups.

  • The Villa Farm

    The Villa Maria, located in Villa Maria, Pennsylvania, describes itself on their website as the following: "Operating on 759 acres, the farm of Villa Maria Community Center is an integral part of the heritage of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. The farm serves as a symbol of the struggle and sacrifice of a small group of women who settled on the Lawrence County land in 1864 and succeeded in establishing a viable, productive farm when others before them had failed. Land management at the farm is based on spirituality, sustainability, simplicity and the preservation of all local life systems." The greenhouse is open seasonally along with a produce market that sells the food grown.

  • Columbus bonds with Ghana sister city through agriculture project

    Roman Catholic Cardinal Peter Turkson spoke at Mershon Auditorium at The Ohio State University in 2015. The proceeds from his talk with OSU President Michael Drake were used as matching funds in a grant from the Initiative for Food and Agricultural Transformation (InFACT) discovery theme program. The proceeds funded an agricultural exchange between Accra, Ghana, and Columbus, Ohio.

  • We Are What We Eat

    The 214th General Assembly (2002) Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) approved the following report titled We Are What We Eat. This report focuses on how people can influence the agriculture revolution with regard to sustainability, stewardship compassion, and community. The final section provides suggestions for activities and studies that congregations can engage in with regard to food production/consumption.

  • Going Vegan for Lent can Orient us towards Christ's calling

    Elyse Durham writes that it is becoming increasingly common for people to give up meat for lent, and makes note that many of the farming practices we use today are unnecessarily cruel. In addition, the consumer culture in America tempts Christians to live lives of greed instead of virtue. Karen Swallow brings up the idea of "reducetarianism," simply considering the amount of meat you consume and its implications for the environment. Fasts and veganism are suggestions for Christians who want to move away from a life of over-consumption.

  • Profile: Rev. Dr. Heber M Brown

    Rev. Dr. Heber M. Brown is a Baptist pastor in Baltimore, Maryland. Brown is committed to social development and has been instrumental in the creation of several programs in the Baltimore area. These include Orita’s Cross Freedom School, of which he is the founding director, and the Black Church Food Security Network. The latter works to support the accessibility of food by linking historically African American congregations with urban growers and Black farmers. Brown has received a number of awards recognizing his work, including the Ella Baker Freedom Fighter Award and the Food Justice Award from the Baltimore City Office of Civil Rights.

  • Dalai Lama Espouses Sustainability in Business

    His Holiness the Dalai Lama recently spoke in Brussels to promote global responsibility in business and economics for the sake of social and environmental sustainability. His appearance was coordinated with the recent publication of Business as an Instrument for Societal Change: In Conversation with the Dalai Lama (https://www.routledge.com/go/greenleaf-publishing), a book by Sander Tideman. For more information about the Dalai Lama’s teachings on the environment, visit his website and browse his list of environmental speeches and messages (https://www.dalailama.com/messages/environment).

  • 6 Ways to Green Your Holiday

    6 Ways to Green Your Holiday is a graphic made by the Sierra Club. It gives 6 easy ways make Christmas traditions more sustainable. To view the image, click below or *download*

  • Creation Care Hack: Train Yourself to use Reusable Shopping Bags

    Creation Care Hack: Train Yourself to use Reusable Shopping Bag is a post from Evangelical Environmental Network MOMS. The article discusses how using a reusable shopping bag is only easy if you make it a habit, which can be difficult. It then gives a few tips on how to make this sustainable practice a habit. The article also has a graphic on how plastic bags are killing the planet, which can be found below. The author finishes by saying, “If the 70% of Americans who identify as Christians practiced using less disposable plastic bags what a witness and difference that could make.” See additional attached media for an infographic (.jpg) for visual information on plastic bag use.

  • 12 Days of Christmas Recycling

    12 Days of Christmas Recycling is an article from Evangelical Environmental Network about all the “stuff” that accumulates over Christmas. December is the highest month for landfill deposits with household waste increasing by 25% between Thanksgiving and Christmas. An average of 30 million Christmas Trees will end up in landfills and 4 million tons of wrapping paper and gift bags will be used. The article gives 12 ways to “reduce the overuse” and to move the focus of Christmas back to the birth of Jesus.

  • Catholic Climate Covenant Earth Day Video

    Catholic Climate Covenant has created their 2018 Earth Day video Beyond a Throwaway Culture. The focus of the video is the harm that comes from single-use disposable plastics - how it contributes to both land and marine pollution.

  • Environmental Statement – Reformed Church in America

    In 1982, the Christian Action Commission of the Reformed Church in America (RCA) released a document titled “Care for the Earth: Theology and Practice.” This was given to General Synod, who then passed several resolutions outlining the Reformed Church in America’s stance on environmental issues. The Action Institute wrote the article below that discusses the resolutions that were passed.

  • Technological Takeover or Technological Makeover?

    This chapter from the student-written book “Emerging Perspectives on Religion and Environmental Values in America” explores the recent and rapid development of technology and its impact on our environmental actions. It discusses trends of consumerism, social conflict, and disconnection. Below is the first paragraph of the chapter to introduce the discussion.

    "Is it just me or does it feel like the whole world is going crazy? From a global pandemic, to a civil rights revolt, to talk about election fraud, it seems like everything is spiraling out of control and technology seems to be adding fuel to the fire. It feels as if technology is the invisible hand that controls us all on every level, individually and as a culture. As technological advancements push further, the concern for the problems perpetuated by them rises as well. I am not trying to be labeled as a 'Karen' of my generation, but technology is slowly eating away at our brains and degrading the fabrics that hold our society together."

  • Sustainability Photo Contest

    This RESTORExchange photo contest is being brought back from the pre-COVID era, and with an added collaboration with the Sustainability Institute. It's based around the question "What does sustainability look like?" This can include sustainability in environmental justice, technology, energy, lifestyle and wellbeing, society and culture, economy and politics, and any other context where you see sustainability in action. We want to see your perspectives and show all the different places that sustainability is practiced! Winning photos will be decided by a panel of judges (yet to be determined), and the top four photos will win a prize! First place will receive $400, second place will receive $300, third place will receive $200, and an honorable mention will receive $100. Submissions will be accepted through March 15, 2023.

  • Cool Congregations

    "The Cool Congregations Challenge, is an annual national contest to recognize 'Cool Congregations' that are becoming energy efficient and sustainable role models within their communities. The contest is brought to you by Interfaith Power & Light, a nonprofit organization inspiring and mobilizing people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate. There are no fees to enter. Application period opens November 1 each year. Deadline for entries, December 15. Get ready to enter the Challenge!

    Due to Covid the project eligibility window has been expanded again for 2024. Projects completed in 2021, 2022, and 2023 will be eligible to apply. Deadline Dec 15, 2023, awards announced in February 2024.

    NEW! Electric Vehicle Leader category for congregations that have encouraged EV adoption. This category includes: EVs (Congregants and Staff) • Congregational EV Charging Stations • Outreach • Educating and Advocating for EVs. (Includes all-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and electric bikes. If your congregation is working on reducing transportation emission through public transportation or carpooling, apply to the Community Inspiration category.)"

  • Advent Simplicity Challenge

    "This Advent, commit to simplicity. In a season that can mistakenly be focused on gifts and consumption, explore ways to live simply as we hopefully prepare for the coming of Jesus and the restoration of the earth. This year, we’ll be mixing in new daily challenges, as well as accompanying PDFs for folks who prefer not to use the interactive calendar."

  • Plastic Jesus: Real Faith in a Synthetic World

    "Everywhere we look in our culture you will find plastic. One place where you will not find plastic, however, is in the Bible.

    This resource is designed to help congregations think more deeply about the ways that plastics impact our lives and God's creation. It is also intended to equip people of faith to take actions to address this epidemic in faithful and practical ways.
    ​
    Download this resource to find stories of individuals and communities making a positive impact, sermon starters to spark meaningful discussions in your church, worship resources to unite in prayer and reflection, and actionable steps to address the plastic crisis in your life, community and, our world."

  • Extra Time

    "Let's recycle our garbage to give our planet extra time". Taken by Mohamed Dhaouadi. Submitted to the RESTORExchange Sustainability Photo Contest.

  • Seminary Hill Farm Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

    The Seminary Hill Farm website includes the following information on their community supported agriculture program:

    "Transforming the traditional model of a CSA program, our program follows a new model that allows you to choose what items you would like week to week without having to commit to the entire season. Once the season begins, simply choose the items you would like to enjoy in your kitchen that week by visiting our website and meet us at one of our convenient locations to pick up your honestly fresh ingredients. We will have the items properly washed, packed and ready for you to take home and celebrate."

  • The Charles Madison Narbit Memorial Garden

    The Charles Madison Narbit Memorial Garden website states the purpose for it's creation:

    "About the Garden: The Charles Madison Nabrit Memorial Garden

    Named 2015 Community Garden of the Year and selected as one of 12 Hub Gardens in Central Ohio by Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, CMNMG@CCAF was created as a living legacy to Charles Madison Nabrit’s commitment to holistic health, self-­determination, education and community service.

    Our mission is to:
    (1) increase affordable access to organic produce;
    (2) increase awareness of the spiritual and cultural connections to gardening within black and brown communities;
    (3) increase children’s exposure to functional STEM studies; and
    (4) increase economic self­-sufficiency and sustainability in the garden, in our homes and in our community.

    Opened in 2014 in the midst of an urban food desert, CMNMG@CCAF is a 3,850 square foot, organic, bio­diverse, self­-sustaining space behind a church housing an historic, 105+ year­-old, predominantly black congregation, descendents of the African diaspora to the Americas. Our hashtags speak to our spiritual and cultural heritage: #HeStartedUsinaGarden and #WeCameHeretoCultivate."

  • Shepherd's Fest (Shepherd's Corner)

    Shepherd's Corner ecological center provides information regarding their annual festival on their webpage:

    "Explore our food pantry gardens, take a hayride around the property, meet our sheep, and walk the meditation trail & labyrinth. Savor delicious food from a local food truck (Moody Trudy). Meet the Jefferson Township fire department and check out a fire truck up close. Watch Gail Maraman, a local felt artist, demonstrate her art. Chat with AEP representatives about electricity savings, consider more responsible energy use with Columbia gas. and learn about the environmental efforts of Green Spot Columbus. We will have a farm stand featuring of our naturally grown produce, 2019 maple syrup, and crafts made by the Dominican Sisters of Peace and volunteers."

  • Engaged Organizations: A Rocha International

    A Rocha International discuss their mission on their website:

    "At A Rocha USA, our mission is to restore both people and places through collaborative, community-based conservation.

    We resource Christians to care for creation where they live by building a network of hands-on conservation projects in communities across the nation. Through partnerships with individuals, churches, and community groups, we provide content, curriculum, and a network of support for improving local habitats and increasing biodiversity."

  • Engaged Organizations: Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach

    Columban Center for Advocacy and Outreach serves as a line of communication between Columban missionaries and policy makers in Washington D.C. Missionaries are stationed in 16 countries around the world, bringing attention to environmental justice issues that are most pressing for marginalized populations in the areas. Their primary focus is combating human-induced climate change. In addition, they advocate for sustainable development and agricultural systems, and right to clean water.

  • A Bishops’ Letter about the Climate

    Below is a section of the introduction from A Bishops’ Letter about the Climate, which covers a multitude of critical environmental issues, from the 2014 Bishops' conference:

    "We have lived with reports and forecasts of climate change since the 1980s. Our climate is the result of the interaction of complex systems and there is often a great distance between cause and effect in terms of both space and time. There are uncertainties and a lack of clarity. However, the knowledge we possess today does not allow us to postpone until tomorrow
    what needs to be done now. Our human climate impact must decrease for the sake of the earth, for the sake of the world that God so loves that God gave us Jesus Christ."