GO GREEN TEAM
The Go Green Team was established in the Spring of 2008, out of a desire to improve the way the church community treats the environment, and from a desire to implement positive changes, making our congregation better stewards of Creation. We believe that we are called as Christians to care for the Earth just as we care for our neighbors, and we are called to an understanding of how our actions as individuals and as a congregation can make a positive impact on our world and our ministry.
MISSION STATEMENT
In order to enable the Congregation and its members to implement sustainable, positive changes to our environmental impact, the Green Team is committed to:
- Educating ourselves and the congregation on the issues and opportunities that impact our Church’s environmental footprint;
- Researching areas in need of change, looking for best alternatives to current practice; and
- Enabling the implementation of sustainable change, thus leaving a lighter ecological footprint.
ACTIVITIES
Since our inception, we’ve positively impacted the church’s ecological footprint through these initiatives:
- Fair Trade Coffee for Coffee Hour, increasing support for the social welfare of responsible agricultural practices;
- Promoting the use of porcelain cups for Coffee Hour, eliminating use of foam cups and reducing our burden into the waste stream;
New Bicycle Rack to promote biking to church events;- Promoting use of e-delivery for the monthly Memos. To date, we’ve more than doubled the number of e-Memos recipients, reducing the church’s need to use paper and postage;
- Conducting regular field trips to places like the Museum of Science & Industry’s “SMART HOME” exhibit to increase understanding and seek ideas for future projects;
- Contributing to the church bulletins and Memos with earth-friendly information and ideas for the congregation); and
- Supporting the Trustees in their efforts to optimize use of energy-saving technology and environmentally responsible building materials.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Here are some ways you can plug in to current projects underway at UMCL right now!
- AVEDA BOTTLE CAP RECYCLING: Waste Management does not recycle bottle caps, but Aveda has begun a program to do this. Bring in your bottle caps from drink bottles, toothpaste caps, catsup bottles, etc. No medicine bottle caps, no metal. The collection bin is in the Fellowship Hall. Collection will continue until further notice.
- CRAYON RECYCLING: The collection bin is in Fellowship Hall.
- Download a copy of our GUIDE TO RECYCLING RESOURCES .
UPCOMING EVENTS
The following event will take place soon!
- EARTH DAY FAIR - Saturday, April 24, 2010 - 12 Noon - 4 PM — Lake County Green Congregations is planning a celebration of Earth Day. We will have a number of recycle and learning opportunities available. Download an informational flyer here, and watch the bulletin and MEMOS for more info.
LEARN MORE / WHAT YOU CAN DO
Interested in what you can do to help? Here are some ideas:
- If you’re not already doing so, tell the church office you want to switch over to e-memos!
- Volunteer to help wash the dishes after Sunday coffee hour…or bring your own coffee mug from home!
- Ask a committee member about joining us on our next educational field trip.
- Tell a committee member about an idea you have for the church to improve its footprint!
- Attend a Green Team meeting (at the Church, 7:00pm the second Wed. each month)!
- To view the following presentation click on the link below to get more ideas on how you can do your part. Please be patient - it may take a few minutes to load.
The Danger of Plastic Bags - ECO-MESSAGES:
CONTACT US
We can be reached through the Church Office, or send an e-mail to the Go Green Team at libertyvilleumc@sbcglobal.net.