Stewardship Chairperson

Stewardship Calendar 2006

There is a pro-environment spirit in the air that seems to be growing. Maybe it is simply the pendulum swinging back in favor of ecology, maybe it is the growing fear over greenhouse emissions, or maybe it is truly the Spirit. Whatever the impetus, it isn’t too late to join in the surge and do something to help repair and extend the survival of our precious Earth. This is an element of Stewardship and one that I would like to focus upon in 2006.

In the words of Pope John Paul II, “An awareness of the relationship between God and humankind brings a fuller sense of the importance of the relationship between human beings and the natural environment, which is God’s creation and which God entrusted to us to guard with wisdom and love.”

There is no shortage of ways to help. You can start simply by using the recycling bins at church and at home and committing to do more recycling this year. At the end of this article I will list several websites with more information and ways to get involved. I’ll close with some excerpts from Bishop Jones of Liverpool’s “Guidelines on how a parish might become more environmentally responsible”.

v Recycle everything (not just aluminum cans, but steel, glass, textiles, furniture, etc.)

v Use paper made from recycled fiber

v Use both sides of all paper (even when photocopying)

v When disposable items can’t be avoided, make sure they are recyclable or biodegradable

v Buy goods in bulk to avoid excess packaging

v Consider energy efficiency when buying appliances

v Switch off all electrical appliances when not in use

v Turn down the heat by even one degree

v Reduce car trips – walk, carpool or use public transportation whenever possible

v Consider emissions and gas mileage when purchasing a vehicle

v Repair dripping water faucets quickly

v Use cleaning products that are environmentally friendly

v Compost your organic and vegetable waste

v Use Fair Trade goods whenever available

v Choose long life products over short life (e.g. light bulbs)

v Purchase wood products from sustainable wood sources

Websites of interest:

www.eenonline.org – Episcopal Environmental Network

www.VIPL.org – Virginia Interfaith Power and Light

www.fairtradecertified.org – Buy Fair Trade Coffee

www.puravidacoffee.com – Order through the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund, delivered to your home

www.earthday.net

www.vrarecycles.org – Virginia Recyclers Association

www.dcr.Virginia.gov/sw/ - Virginia Soil and Water Conservation

www.myfootprint.org – Check out your ecological footprint with a quick quiz

Let’s get motivated Trinity!

The Trinity Stewardship Commission meets monthly and works to educate the parish on appropriate themes of stewardship.