Oregon Congregations Recognized

EARTHKEEPING NEWS
A NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH AMERICAN COALITION FOR CHRISTIANITY AND ECOLOGY

Volume Fourteen, Number Three
May / June 2005

Oregon Congregations Recognized for Creation Care Achievements

by Jenny Holmes, Program Director, Interfaith Network for Earth Concerns
Columbia River Bioregion

As an Earthday event last April, the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon's Interfaith Network for Earth Concerns (INEC) announced the recipients of Oregon's first Green Congregation Awards. The awards recognize overall and special achievements by Oregon congregations in environmental stewardship. "Over the past five years, the number of congregations involved in care for creation projects and programs has increased significantly," said Jenny Holmes, INEC program director. "It's time to recognize their efforts and by doing so, to inspire others."

St Philip Neri Catholic Parish in SE Portland and Forest Grove United Church of Christ in Forest Grove received the overall achievement award. These two congregations, though very different, both demonstrated a high degree of integration of care for creation into to the whole life of the congregation, from management of their facilities to education, from community outreach to worship.

St. Philip Neri stands out for its use of the Columbia River Pastoral Letter as a guide for congregational action. Its effort to take responsibility for the water running off its parking lot through the construction of a large bioswale featuring native plants is especially noteworthy. The project received high praise from the local neighborhood group.

Forest Grove United Church of Christ is distinguished by the strong involvement of both lay leaders and clergy on an ongoing team for creation care ministry — the BEST! (Be Earth Stewards Today!) Team. The mission of the team is to "foster individual, congregational and community changes in the way we live in order to be better stewards of our earth." BEST's First Sunday recycling program provides members with an opportunity to recycle items, such as fluorescent bulbs and tennis shoes, that are not picked up by local garbage haulers.

Special recognition was given to the following congregations for achievements in specific areas: First Unitarian Church, St. Mary Catholic Church Community Outreach, First United Methodist Church and St. Jude Catholic Church.

INEC has been working to support and equip congregations for such ministries for over 10 years. Its Oregon Interfaith Power and Light project is currently challenging Oregon congregations to follow the lead of the state of Oregon in reducing energy use in its facilities by 20% by 2015.