Olivet Christian Church Disciples of Christ Sustainable Living Committee: June Sustainability Article Expanded

Friday, May 27, 2016

June Sustainability Article Expanded

Good News for Planet Earth – Composting … ‘Black Gold’ for the Garden

Sustainable Living Steering Committee …. with special thanks to Bob Broz

What do coffee grounds, banana peels, apple cores, watermelon rind and wilted lettuce lurking in the crisper drawer all have in common? They’re ‘food’ for the compost pile! Composting reduces waste going to the landfill and lightens our environmental footprint.

How does this happen? Composting occurs when organic materials such as food waste, leaves, grass clippings, etc., decompose through an aerobic process, aided by microbes, and produce humus or organic matter which is generally rich in nutrients and is beneficial as a fertilizer or soil amendment. Humus creates better soil structure, more microbial action in the soil, and better water holding capacity. The healthier the soil, the more vital it is and the less man-made pesticides and fertilizers are needed to produce the food we grow. Please note that some types of paper and plastics are compostable, but many are not, so be aware that not all things that look alike are compostable.

Summer is a great time to start composting – fresh fruits, veggies and grass clippings are plentiful. Visit http://organicgardening.about.com/od/compost/a/cancomposter.htm for information on how to get started at home—including a brief video for a DIY compost bin. Or register and participate in a free composting workshop offered by the city of Columbia and receive a free geo-bin composting system. Contact Jody Cook jody.cook@como.gov or call 573-874-6271. The next workshop is Saturday, July 27^th, 10:00 to 11:00 AM at Capen Park.

Over the last two years, Olivet has partnered with the University of Missouri Bradford Farm for composting food waste and certain compostable paper products. Much of the organic waste left from our annual barbeque or from one of our many breakfast or dinner activities has gone to the Bradford Farm composting facility. To do this, special compostable trash bags and paper plates are used. However, we have learned that the Bradford Farm composting facility will not be operational this summer and we will be unable to deliver post-meal food waste and compostable paper products from the BBQ. We will collect pre-meal food waste such as onion skins, potato peels, and coffee grounds, as we have done in the past, and members will take these items home to compost.

Olivet BBQ Composting Station (Photo Credit: Linda Graue)

“Compost … a rind is a terrible thing to waste”

For more information about compositing please visit the following two presentations that were made locally here in Columbia as well as the flyer for upcoming composting seminars. As always if you have any questions please just let us know!

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_LAc4T73-qoMGZjT2x4U3REVk0

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_LAc4T73-qoSVBXNDhtMWNoaHc

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_LAc4T73-qoZTZ3OEVJTDg3WXI2Uk94QV84OGlnZ1I1UmpN

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Olivet and the Disciples Green Chalice Ministry

Olivet has been actively engaged in caring for creation as a part of our ministry for the last several years. Many environmental and energy saving features were incorporated both in our current church building, constructed in the 1990’s, and in the more recent Music & Education addition.

The Green Chalice ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is designed to support and recognize Disciples congregations, like Olivet, who are working to become better stewards of creation. Green Chalice encourages us to review and expand our current environmental stewardship efforts in regard to our building and grounds, environmental practices, education and justice.

Becoming a Green Chalice congregation is a journey – it begins with commitment and education and continues as we work toward certification and achievement. In April 2015, the Olivet Board approved a proposal from the Sustainable Living Steering Committee, with concurrence of the Property Committee, that Olivet officially participate in the Green Chalice ministry, with the goal of becoming a Certified Green Chalice Congregation.

Commitment to the Green Chalice ministry begins with the formation of a congregational Creation Care Team, affirmation of the congregation’s intent to care for creation, and the making of three changes that help a congregation walk more gently on the earth.

~Olivet’s Sustainable Living Steering Committee serves as our Creation Care Team and offers several kinds of educational opportunities—outside speakers, tours, field trips and hands-on project—and encourages members and friends to participate in a wide variety of community environmental programs.

~On April 17, 2016, Earth Stewardship Sunday, the congregation will be invited to affirm our commitment to creation care here at home and also through participation in the Green Chalice Ministry, using The Alverna Covenant authored by the Disciples Task Force on Ecology at the Alverna Center, 1981.

~Olivet works toward walking more gently on the earth in a variety of ways. Programmable thermostats are installed throughout the building to reduce energy consumption. Mulching is used to help control weeds, reduce herbicide use and reduce water consumption. Recycling is encouraged and use of disposables has been reduced. For example, use of lovely cloth napkins made by members is just one way we reduce disposables and brighten our fellowship events. With help from the Property Committee, an energy assessment was conducted at the church building in May 2015 to help us recognize what positive steps had already been taken and where we could continue to make improvements.

As a Green Chalice congregation we are both encouraged and challenged to continue the journey of making positive changes that reduce adverse environmental impact and increase our ability to be good stewards of God’s creation.

Olivet Christian Church Disciples of Christ Sustainable Living Committee

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