Presbyterian Churches, including Sandpoint Congregation. Focus on Environment This Lenten Season
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John McCallum
Christians see the Lenten season primarily as a time to reflect on Jesus Christ’s life, ministry, and resurrection. It is about challenging individuals to reflect on their spiritual beliefs in their daily lives.
What if you had to drink only water for a whole day? You could also write down all the trash you throw away and reduce the amount you produce.
The Presbyterian Church U.S.A. encourages people to do both. Through the Lenten season, they ask people to reflect on their spiritual beliefs and how they interact with the environment. The Presbyterian Missions Hunger Program produces an annual Lent is a time to tread lightlyCalendar that combines spiritual discussion and reflection with daily activities that focus on environmental understandings and stewardship
We hope this will be a tool that helps people start some spiritual economy and live out Christian faith, said Jessica Mauldin (PC(U.S.A.), Associate For Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns. It helps people think of what they can do and helps them connect with their faith.
The environmental focus began in 1990 with the adoption by the 202nd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA (U.S.A.), Restoring Creation for Ecology and Justice, which calls on congregations to take part in activities that restore the creation. The initiative recognized the need to restore creation as a long-term concern that must be addressed over a period of time. It is not something that can be done in a few short years. It is a task that the nation and the entire world must focus on.
It was also aware of the fact that it would touch on all aspects, from theological work to evangelism to education and justice to global mission and congregational ministry. Many of the ministries that first arose have changed over time and moved into new areas as their interconnections became apparent.
The Environmental Ministries Program first produced the Tread Lightly calendar in 2011. The Environmental Ministries Program produced the Tread Lightly calendar in 2011. It was later integrated into the Hunger Program.
The calendar combines the spiritual and the practical. Mauldin explained that it is not sequentially designed. People can go back and pick up any activities or readings they might have missed.
The spiritual portion contains links to websites where you can find prayers and readings as well as Bible passages that can be used for reflection and discussion. These include passages such: Genesis 2:15-17, Isaiah 65:17-25And Matthew 25YouTube videos like the one from April 3rd, which celebrates the animal kingdom. You can also download the video and sing along to A Place in the Choir.
The practical part follows the St. Francis of Assisii saying: Do what is necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you’re doing the impossible. These activities are easy to do and can be done immediately.
Darla Carter, a communications associate at the PC(U.S.A. Mission Agency Communications), said that it is very practical. It can be overwhelming, but it is possible to know where to begin. These are all practical things people can focus on and do.
You can also reduce your water consumption by drinking only water for a day, or walking to a place you wouldn’t normally drive to. Also, check your tire pressure to reduce fuel consumption. You can also find links to websites that will help you determine your carbon footprint and learn more about climate change.
This is another Mission Agency initiative, which arose out of the 1990 Restoring Creation call. Participating congregations in the program agree to the Earth Care Pledge, and take actions in four categories derived by the pledge: worship and education, facilities, outreach, and outreach.
First Presbyterian Church, Sandpoint, IdahoThe only Inland Northwest church that has joined the Earth Care Congregation is, which joined in 2015. Pastor Andy Kennaly stated that the decision was inspired by his interest in environmental responsibility and others in the congregation with a similar outlook. The congregation was already involved in the replacement of existing light bulbs with more efficient lamps and the composting of food scraps left over from fellowship time.
Kennaly stated that if they were already doing it, it might as well be made official.
First Presbyterian Sandpoint is currently working on a project that will transform the church’s lawn into a Peace Garden. This will allow people to gather together for events and provide a peaceful, natural setting to experience peace in the heart of Sandpoint. The ecologically-friendly garden so far features a Peace Pole with May Peace Prevail on Earth in 12 languages, a gazebo donated by the Sandpoint Rotary Club, picnic tables, native plants and fruit trees along with raised garden beds with food grown going to the local food bank.
Kennaly explained that they are currently working on finishing the garden, including the creation of a prayer lilyrinth and improving water drainage. The project’s participants will be going to Ireland and Scotland in October to gather ideas about how to design the labyrinth while not incurring any financial debt.
Kennaly stated that we are trying to pay as we go.
The Tread Lightly calendar has a Lenten emphasis, but Mauldin said that churches have used the activities and readings throughout the year, often featuring them weekly in their newsletters. The calendar is available for individuals and churches as well as organizations and people that are not faith-based. Mauldin said that she knew of one faith-based group that had partnered up with a nonfaith group, which removed religious elements from the calendar and used the activities in a month-long summer challenge.
She added that they do try to make it useable in more than one way and that they want it to be used throughout each year.
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