Olivet Christian Church Disciples of Christ Sustainable Living Committee: August 2016

Friday, August 5, 2016

August and September Sustainability Challenge

~AUGUST and SEPTEMBER CHALLENGE~

Enjoying the Flavors of Summer

This month we are asking you all to enjoy the flavors of summer and send us your favorite summer recipes. It could be your favorite fresh tomato pasta, family favorite ice cream, or anything that you and your family enjoy this time of year!

For everyone just send us photos of you and your family eating it, or even just the recipe itself. If you have any questions or need help getting started please just let us know!

Please send photos and names no later than October 1st to kaitlynwintersbradley@gmail.com

Also if you would like some more information gardening please visit the link below and you might see/ read about some friendly faces!
http://extension.missouri.edu/bollinger/mastergardener.aspx

July Sustainability Challenge Winners

JULY CHALLENGE WINNER: CONNIE W.

Connie won a wonderful canned goods bag full of fresh goodies made by our very own Karen Bradley!

The July challenge was to 'SHOP LOCAL'.

Summer time is the perfect time to shop for local produce, and to try new products from fresh fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, cheese, or meat, and everything in between! There are many farmers markets and local grocery stores that carry local products from a variety of local producers.

Seen below are some of our local church members checking out the Columbia Farmers Market, from fresh cut flowers to goat cheese, and everything in between! Thanks for those of you that entered, and be sure to check out the August Challenge!

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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Friday, August 5, 2016

August and September Sustainability Challenge

July Sustainability Challenge Winners