EARTH KEEPERS

Stewards of the Earth: Congregations reduce carbon footprint
Mark Collins, December 22, 2009 (Daily Camera)

"…Boulder Mennonnite Church in South Boulder had vegetables growing on church property as part of a neighborhood farm…Congregation Bonai Shalom in Boulder celebrated Hanukkah…using energy from wind turbines…[and served] a Shabbat meal using compostable cutlery and plates…Unity Church of Boulder will be celebrating Christmas 2010 in a solar-powered building [if funding works out].

"All three groups are among a growing number of local religious organizations that believe lowering carbon footprints is part of walking a spiritual path…"

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"…[After hearing Rabbi Marc Soloway’s Rosh Hashanah] green sermon… Debbie Garelick… organized the Bonai Shalom Green Team. In recent years, Garelick has taken input from congregants, and spearheaded several eco-friendly initiatives at the synagogue…In addition, the synagogue uses energy-efficient lighting, gets all its electricity through Xcel Energy`s wind-energy program and worshippers employ zero-waste practices during weekly meals…

"…Unity is in the midst of a fund-raising campaign to fund a $130,000 solar-panel project. Pastor Jack Groverland said he believes the campaign goals will be met in the spring, and the church will run on solar energy sometime in 2010…Unity is trying to meet the financial burden of purchasing and installing a solar-energy system by collecting used cellphones and inkjet cartridges [for recycling, for a fee]…The church also encourages recycling and composting…[and] has an ongoing campaign where people can donate used goods…that are taken to an Indian reservation at Pine Ridge in South Dakota…"

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"Garelick said her faith calls her to find ways to live sustainably…Likewise, pointing to verses in Genesis and in the Gospel of Luke, Groverland said there is Biblical support for humankind to take care of the environment…Phil Metzler, a trustee at Boulder Mennonite, says the small church has looked for ways to green its facility…

"Metzler approached Kipp Nash, the farmer who founded Community Roots…St. Andrew Presbyterian also allows Nash to use a plot in its community garden, where he donates 10 percent of the harvest, as do other gardeners who use it. Nash says church land can be a good resource for producing food…Metzler of Boulder Mennonite says the partnership has worked well. Church members feel that the land is going to a useful, community enterprise. And the garden works as an outreach effort, too…"