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CREATING YOUR�GREEN TEAM: �A Model for Action

Rev. Mel Caraway

EarthKeeper &

North Texas Conference UMC Green Team

McKinney, TX

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Covenant with Creation

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“….for all generations to come.”

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History of The �Environmental Movement

Late 1800’s - Conservation Movement; leaders such as John Muir & Theodore Roosevelt; national realization that we must conserve.
1970 - First Earth Day; Legislation Era; Modern Environmental Movement Began.
1980’s – Sustainability Movement, Environ-mental Justice Movement…(and Ronald Reagan counters with the “Wise Use” Movement).
2004 - Post Environmental Movement; Inconvenient Truth; Al Gore.

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Issues Facing �Environmentalism Today

Disconnect between “real problems” (economy, health care, natural disasters, war) and environment.
Environmental issues portrayed as exaggerated, “alarmist”. There is no such thing as climate change.
Environmental message fatigued and “dull”.
Most visible leader of the movement is a former politician, Al Gore.
Some say, environmentalism has become a “special interest”; no longer a movement.

1. Dr. Durley pointed this out in his speech. He was part of the civil rights movement and point out that this movement needs the enthusiasm (etho’s, God working through us) and the energy that they had….ministers can provide this. 2. Green jobs; why is autism and cancer at an all time high? “Digging graves with our teeth” – what we put into our food, into our bodies. Climate change causes freak weather, and we’ll see more. War, so often, involves people who are without basic needs – food, clean water, land. Natural resources. 3. Climate change heel-draggers and legislation obstructionists, with deeply entrenched petroleum interests perpetuate this for the public. Pounced on email controversy. Misinformation about climate change as “global warming” – don’t use this term any longer. Cold snaps, heat waves – proof of climate change. 4. Al Gore has done much, much good for the environmental movement and his heart is in the right place, but as a politician, a democrat, is a polarizing figure. Republicans, conservatives may discounts his message because party lines; it is not a democratic or republican issue, it is a human issue. 5. Because of all the above, no longer a movement. MUST reclaim it as a movement!!

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The Solution?�FAITH COMMUNITIES - YOU

As a Matter of Faith….environmentalism addresses the core values of Health, Mercy, Justice, and Peace
As a Faith-Based Message…environmental concerns are elevated beyond party lines, beyond special interest .
Coming from Faith-Based Leaders… enthusiasm and credibility are restored.
Through the power of Faith-based Action… the movement is restored.

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Start Your Green Team !

This is the Essential Grassroots Element
Change Trickles Up
All Faiths are Part of Creation Care
All Sizes of Congregations are Called to Care
Regardless of the Political Climate�of Your Parish
Creation Care Grounded in Faith and Supported by Scripture

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“Thin Places”

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1. Organize Yourself...

Create a binder to organize the information and ideas you obtain.
Begin collecting articles, news clippings, etc. that may be useful for future programs & collaborations within your community.
Create a one-page informational handout to give your church leadership and members.

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2. Engage Your Minister

Support from church leadership is essential.
Explain your proposed green ministry.
Identify a possible co-conspirator, or two.
Share your hand-out and any other information you think might inspire them.
Ask them to help promote the new ministry.

Take advantage of the inspiration you get from this conference. Go back and do it! One-page sheet on what, why, who and how (for leadership). You may have to do some education. Get their support. Ask if they know of anyone else in the church who is interested. Don’t count out newcomers or rarely-there’s. This may be a way to bring in new energy, not the same lay-leaders as usual. Perhaps a recycling ministry already exists? People may not KNOW they’re interested – educate them. Engineer’s, teachers, builders, gardeners, etc. Set the time when you’ll get the most people – make it easy for them to “check it out”. Keep records, minutes… for historical documentation and to help chart your progress, remember what we brought up. Publicize in as many ways as possible and keep on it until the time. Let your minister announce and show his/her support. Give people time to hear about it a few times, let it sink in, ask questions, talk about it.

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3. Conduct Your First Meeting

Publicize, in advance, in multiple ways.
Prepare an introduction.
Bring an agenda.
Sign-up sheet (email addresses, particular expertise and/or areas of interest).
Assign someone (prior) to keep the minutes.
Decide on a regular meeting schedule.

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Sample Agenda: First Meeting

Opening Prayer, Reading or Devotion
Introductions
Caring for Creation Overview and Report from Conference
Discussion: Possible Green Team Initiatives and Task Teams
People Inventory (who might help)
Establish Future Meeting Dates

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4. Creating Task Teams

Footprint Team
Education & Awareness Team

Youth
Adult

Communications Team
Waste Reduction and Recycling Team
Interfaith Networking Team

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The Dynamic Benefit of Task Teams

Education &

Awareness

Communication

Interfaith

Networking

Waste

Reduction

& Recycling

Footprint –

Facilities

Your

Parish

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Footprint Team

Calculate current Carbon Footprint �climatestewards.org/carbon-calculators
Establish Reduction Goals
Promote Adoption of Genesis Covenant (www.genesiscovenant.org)
Conduct a Light Bulb Count
Schedule an Energy Audit
Publicize Results to Congregation
Present Findings and Recommendations to Vestry/Church Council

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Education & Awareness Team

Establish Monthly Green Themes
Write Monthly Newsletter Article
Start a Caring for Creation Speaker Series
Start Adult Caring for Creation Bible Study
Organize and Lead C4C Youth Retreats
Intergenerational Outings/Workshops
Host Special Celebrations (Earth Sunday)
Care of Creation Art, Photo Displays, Bulletin Board, Book Shelf, Fundraisers

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“In wisdom you created them all..”

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Baltimore Oriole

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Communications Team

Maintain Email/Contact List
Construct/Link to Church Website
Oversee Green Newsletter Submissions
Create Flyers & Brochures
Publicize Meeting Dates and Events

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Waste Reduction & �Recycling Team

Promote Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Habits
Eliminate Styrofoam Usage
Eliminate Plastic Bottles and Bags
Reduce Paper Usage
Create a Recycling Station
Source Post-consumer Office Paper
Organize Weekly Recycling Pick-up’s

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Interfaith Networking Team

Form a Regional Green Faith Alliance
Work with other faith communities to promote creation care
Share ideas and resources
Host Collaborative Events
Lead Interfaith Youth Service Projects
Promote a Speakers Bureau

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“It takes a congregation”

Greening Workshop

9:00am Welcome & Introductions

9:15am Worship Segment – Minister

9:30am Footprint Report & Reduction Goals

10:00am Input’s and Output’s Discussion

10:30am Report Out’s and Commitments

11:00am Dismissal

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Keep the Momentum Going

Meet frequently and consistently
Email minutes soon after each meeting
Email individual members about specific items – keep them engaged, building leadership.
Be sure YOU do some work…always have progress to report at next meeting.
Send reminders of upcoming meetings.

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Publicize, publicize, publicize!

Do not keep your green work a secret from the rest of your congregation or the public.
Continually report progress, goals, and upcoming events.
Make friends with a local newspaper reporter.

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Your Mission Statement

The mission of (the Green Team) is to recognize the sanctity of all creation, advocate the restoration and protection of our natural resources, contribute by our own actions to the health of the planet, and honor God’s presence in all things on this fragile earth, our island home.

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THANK YOU!��Rev. Mel Caraway�mel.caraway@sbcglobal.net�214-538-0308