Living Spiritually, Living Sustainably: One Congregation's 30 Year Commitment to Environmental Health and Justice

When a faith community's long-term vision includes a commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability, and when that commitment is consciously “lived” through education, decisions, and actions woven throughout the work of the congregation, positive outcomes are a natural result: 1) a facility renovation where $100,000 was enthusiastically invested in sustainability before, during and after construction, including recycling or re-using demolition debris, extra windows for natural light, maximum insulation, and high-efficiency HVAC; 2) a fellowship culture that uses non-disposable plates and cups at all functions and includes a large group that has been recycling and contributing trail work for 30 years, and more recently advocating through lobbying and partnerships with environmental NGOs; 3) a 10-year Adopt-a-Stream project where trained congregants monitor chemical and biologics of an urban stream on property, work to maintain the urban wildlife habitat, and have supported of two youth projects – a “green-built” overlook and a retention basin to control water runoff; 4) a worship program that weaves environmental themes into the services and offertory contributions totaling $9,000 to local environmental organizations this past year; 5) a religious education program including an annual environmental activity for 300 children, regular environmental presentations and films open to congregants and community, plans for an environmental summer camp for young children, and a family service project on community sustained agriculture. Process and outcome measures for the environmental work in this congregation will be presented along with the congregation's future plans for strengthening partnership and outreach.