Let’s Green Up First Lutheran!

In the March-April issue of “Seeds for the Parish”, a resource for leaders of ELCA congregations, Professor David Rhoads of LSTC states this about greening up our lives: We Christians are in this for the long haul. This is not a fad. This is a way of live that fosters a sustainable earth for many generations to come. What will sustain us in this vocation? We do not think that fear or guilt or outrage or grief will be adequate motivation. What will nurture us is the grace of God, the very grace of God that continues to create and sustain life everywhere. God’s own love for creation will nourish us to take the steps and make the sacrifices we will all need to make in order to secure life for ourselves and for generations to come.



Below are some suggestions from The Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham, contributor to the Iowa Interfaith Power and Light website http://iowaipl.org/, to try during Lent.

Buy more locally produced food. You can reduce emissions from transportation by buying from farmers markets and eating foods in season rather than foods shipped in from around the globe.

Use alternative transportation to work, school, or your place of worship. This is a good way to slow down and find a few extra minutes for contemplation during Lent.

Turn down your thermostat. Grab a blanket and add an extra layer of clothing. Even one degree lower will add up to big energy savings.

Try a media fast. It can be very rewarding to turn off televisions, computers, and radios a few nights a week and sit down to a board game with your family.

Remember: small steps by a lot of people add up to big changes! Join FLC’s green team by contacting Connie Barclay at barcco01@luther.edu or Larry Grimstad at larrygrimstad@gmail.com.

• Calculate your Carbon Footprint