Environmental Committee

Ascension’s Environmental Footprint group is committed to promoting environmental sustainability in the recognition of our moral, spiritual and individual responsibility to our earth.  As environmentally conscientious Christians we hope to adopt responsible practices individually and collectively that will help repair and protect our earth.

Our approach is to:

• Recognize God in nature. (Spirituality)
• Identify the spiritual connection between praying and doing. (Service)
• Provide an opportunity to learn how to repair, protect and enhance our environment. (Education)
• Understand the environmental impact of our personal choices. (Stewardship)
• Appreciate that caring for the environment brings us into a deeper relationship with God. (Spiritual Growth)

At each of our monthly meetings we study some subject related to our environment, e.g. identification of bird songs, study of native pipestone, spring wildflowers.  We also pray for the healing of the planet and the wise use of our resources.  We believe that praying in gratitude and concern for the earth is our most important activity.

In the 2 years since we began our ministry the things we have accomplished include:

•  Presentation of a forum on the benefits of buying locally grown food
•  A showing of Al Gore’s film, “An Inconvenient Truth” to the parish
• Sale of environmentally friendly products as an Earth Day fundraiser
• Nature outings
• A parish “Share Your Garden” during the summer and fall harvest season
• Preparation and distribution to the congregation of a Lenten Challenge to live more environmentally responsible.  For 6 Sundays we presented a challenge such as giving up paper towels and napkins for the week or preparing a vegetarian meal. The purpose was to motivate parish members to make some short term environmentally-friendly changes to their normal lifestyle with the hope that they would realize that these changes were not difficult and could become permanent.  Included was an earth prayer and family activity.

We continue to try to raise environmental awareness because we have a love and concern for the earth and wish to preserve its resources and beauty for future generations.   Our environment connects us spiritually to God.  We experience God in nature.

Contact: Sally Giese
Email: sgieseaechurchorg  (sgieseaechurchorg)