Embracing the Good New for Planet Earth: First Impressions of Merry Lea

Greetings from northern Indiana … I hope you all are enjoying the fall weather as much as I am!  As some of you perhaps know, I am now living in a small town in northern Indiana working on my Master’s degree in environmental education at beautiful Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center, a 1,100+ acre nature sanctuary, which is part of Goshen College.  It has been a whirlwind adventure thus far as I just finished up my first round of classes ranging from principles of education to natural history to research methods. 

We have now moved into our fall teaching schedule so we have been having fun leading student explorers across the property focusing on the sustainable working farm where they raise over 30 varieties of vegetables, plus chickens, hogs, and turkeys.  The Nature Center includes an ecological field station incorporating energy from both a wind turbine and solar panels.  The project was awarded LEED platinum certification in 2007.  It has been a lot of fun teaching the students about where their food comes from, as many these days don’t understand this and the processing food has to go through to get on their plate.  Not only do we have a class touring the sustainable farm but also provide autumn adventures, exploring wetlands, and so much more.  For me it is just such a joy to get students outside of the classroom and exploring nature – many for the first time.      

Although we have been focusing on classes and teaching, I am also working on my yearlong project – working with an urban community garden in a low income neighborhood in Fort Wayne, Indiana – helping them develop curriculum to provide outreach to both students and adults alike.  We do have plenty of time to play though (mostly on the weekends) so I have been active visiting the farmer’s market, hiking around Merry Lea and local Chain O’ Lakes State Park and visiting fairs and festivals around the region – so if you’re ever in northern Indiana let me know!

Kaitlyn Bradley

Bird banding

Gene Stratton Porter Historical Site

Working a local fair booth.

Beautiful sunrise

Observing a local pow-wow in Michigan.

Embracing the Good News for Planet Earth - Projects in Our Own Backyard!

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. ~Gandhi

This month we are shifting the focus to some real life examples of environmental stewardship here in our local community. We decided to talk with our very own Dane Steinhauer as he discussed his Eagle Scout Project that he completed in 2014. His project focused on working at Blue Ridge Elementary School on their outdoor education center which consisted of a short trail and small outdoor classroom area. Dane wanted to complete this project to encourage more students to get outside the classroom, explore the trail, and learn about some of Missouri’s native trees.

In order to accomplish his goal, he had to organize and put in motion many smaller projects: removing trash - particularly plastic bags (he received help from 4^th and 5^th grade students attending summer school), removing invasive bush honeysuckle, replacing existing culverts, “chatting” over the culverts and trail (applying a layer of fine, white gravel), and then finally installing the tree markers as well as creating a brochure for students to use. By the time it was all said and done Dane had helped organize over 165 hours of work -- including work completed by himself, his family, other friends, as well as elementary students and Cub Scouts. Although most of the manual labor was completed in July, a lot more work went into drafting the proposal, meeting with stakeholders, and completing all the required paperwork. He claims that his biggest satisfaction was helping to inspire younger Scouts to complete their own Eagle Scout Projects.

Way to go Dane and good luck starting your senior year at Battle High School!

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!

July Sustainability Challenge

~JULY CHALLENGE~

The July challenge is 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.  

For everyone just send us photos of you and your family, perhaps its at a farmers market, picking a new vegetable from a garden, fresh food on the grill, or anything in between!  If you have any questions getting started or would like some recommendations of local places, please just let us know!

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

You can't buy happiness, but you can buy local, and that's the same kind of thing. ~Unknown

June Sustainability Challenge Winners

The June winner raffle prize, (Geo-bin) will be awarded soon, but here is some of the great examples of different composting methods already being used in the congregation. 

Also if you would like more information or need help trouble shooting please visit: 
http://occsustainable.blogspot.com/2016/05/june-sustainability-article-expanded.html 
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 A simple two 5-gallon bucket system which is in the garage:  one bucket for kitchen veggie scraps, added daily, and the second bucket filled with finished compost.  We sprinkle a light layer of compost over the veggie scraps each time we add those to the ‘scrap bucket’.  When the veggie scrap bucket is full, we take it down to a larger compost pile near the garden area and mix it in.  By using a layering process in the ‘scrap bucket’ much of the veggie material has broken down before it even gets ‘delivered’ to the larger pile.  Folks who don’t have finished compost to use, can get started with this type of system by adding a light layer of garden soil or compost—can be purchased by the bag locally. (Photo credit and information: Marilyn Bettenhausen).

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The more convenient it is the more likely people will try composting scraps. Using a rubber trash can drill holes in it about 6 to 8 inches apart.  I  generally put some dry material in the bottom to absorb excess moisture.  This can be some previous made compost grass clipping or soil.  Any food scraps including egg shells, cut flowers, etc can go into the composter. Meat scraps and grease or not recommended. If it's too wet put in grass clippings or something in to absorb excess moisture. Moisture and ratio of carbon to nitrogen is what will make it function properly.

Turn green compost materials into material in the bottom of the composter every couple of weeks. This keeps down smell and reactivates microbes to continue working. (Information and photo credit: Bob Broz)

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A geo-bin composting system that is placed right beside the garden, food scraps are put in once a week when the material is turned over and water is added.  This design is practical for city use as it has a secure lid so critters don't get into it and it also keeps the material in a easy and ready to use location!

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/