July Sustainability Article Expanded

Olivet  has been designated a Green Chalice Congregation!!!

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.

Becoming a Green Chalice congregation is a journey – it begins with commitment and education and continues as we work toward certification and achievement. 

• 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 Sustainable Living Steering Committee serves as our Creation Care or Green Team and offers several kinds of educational opportunities…both in-house and outside speakers, tours, field trips and hands-on projects.
• 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.
• We continue to work toward walking more gently on the earth – programmable thermostats are installed throughout the building; mulch is used to help control weeds, reduce herbicide use and reduce water consumption; recycling is encouraged and use of disposables has been reduced.
• On Earth Stewardship Sunday, April 17, 2016, we took another important step.  We affirmed our intent as a congregation, and as individuals, to care for God’s good creation in the words of the Disciples Alverna Covenant.  We also had the opportunity to make individual pledges to care for creation – affixing our pledge to the large Green Chalice poster in the front of the sanctuary at the close of services.
  

Olivet has now received official designation as a participating Green Chalice Congregation:

Dear Olivet Christian Church,

On behalf of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), I extend congratulations to Olivet Christian Church for becoming a Green Chalice Ministry.  Green Chalice celebrates the fact that you are living out your faith by caring for God’s creation and leading the denomination and your community in authentic ways.  Green Chalice applauds the fact that you have a green team, have affirmed and signed the Alverna Covenant, and have made changes that help your ministry walk more gently on the earth.  Take time to commemorate and celebrate this accomplishment.  Please add this recognition to your newsletter and website.

When you are ready for the next step, you can work to become a Certified Green Chalice Ministry, a more extensive program that looks at every area of work life from the building and grounds to education and outreach.  We now have seven Certified congregations that have taken this honorable step with several working toward it.  Perhaps, Olivet Christian Church will be the next.

I look forward to hearing about the new things that Olivet Christian Church is doing to save our sacred planet.  May your journey be blessed by God.

In Christ,

Rev. Carol L.  Devine

Minister Green Chalice

This letter and the accompanying certificate will be framed and posted in Fellowship Hall.  As a Green Chalice Congregation we are both encouraged and challenged to continue the journey of making positive changes that reduce our adverse environmental impact and increase our ability to be good stewards of God’s creation.

If you would like more information about The Green Chalice certification please visit https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/dhm/dhm-ministries/environment/