Sacred Acts

A couple of weeks ago, we shared a book review from the Presbyterian Eco-blog for a book called Sacred Acts.  We are in the midst of reading that collection of essays right now, and it is very powerful.  Each chapter is by a different author, and all of the writers make you dig deep to figure out how you will address the issues that face God's Green Earth.  The themes often come to the conclusion that we cannot sit idly by and wait for someone else to act.  We must take action ourselves, no matter how small, to create a change in attitudes, beliefs, and understandings before it is too late. We wanted to share a couple of short quotes from Sacred Acts with the hopes that you too will be interested enough to pick this book up and challenge yourself.

     "How can we quickly, effectively, and affordably reduce the effect we are having on our planet?  How can we restructure our economy, our infrastructure and our society so that it can adapt to coming change?
     We can teach ourselves, our children and our communities to be good stewards of the bounty God has given us and in doing so to care for the welfare of our less fortunate brothers and sisters around the world.
     We can prepare for what we can't avoid by conserving the resources we have and making wise decisions to reduce our vulnerability to climate-related change in the face of an uncertain future. 
     We can limit our own impact on the planet by making responsible choices that improve our quality of life at the same time as they help others.  Often we feel that doing something about climate change involves pulling the plug on everything-- our televisions, our showers, our air conditioning, even our cars.  That's not true.  It's about starting with what we have and making it known that we want more options."
      Katherine Hayhoe, Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University

     "If we are to live better in this world we need to appreciate that where we are is the garden, or farm, of God.  If we want to address problems such as climate change, soil erosion, deforestation, desertification, species extinction, the pollution of our waters and the abuse of animals-- all problems that spring from the same distorted vision and understanding-- then we need to recover a strong sense of God's presence as the Gardener and Farmer of the world.  Without this understanding, our temptation will be to think that God has left the world and does not deeply care about what happens in or to it.
     "When we take seriously the image of God as the eternal Gardener or Farmer we also discover that God has always been and continues to be present to the world as the source of its nurture and life.  God still holds the soil of our lives in her hands, still waters the furrows of our crops and still breathes the breath of life upon all of us.  That we are here today, able to grow and enjoy good food, is the confirmation of that.  Though we may do much to assault the Earth, God has not ever stopped being a gracious and hospitable host to the world."
     Norman Wirzba, Research Professor of Theology, Ecology, and rural life at Duke Divinity School

You Can Really Recycle Anything If You Want To....

Thanks to some friends, (thanks Linnie and Greg!) we have two recycling opportunities to share today.  Both involve recycling things that maybe you were uncertain of how to recycle.  The first opportunity is an event that will happen next Saturday at Arundel High School.  Anne Arundel County Police will be sponsoring their Sixth Annual Shred-A-Rama from 9am to 1pm.  This is a good opportunity to safely get rid of personal private documents such as old tax documents, financial records or medical records.  Each resident is allowed to bring up to four file boxes of paper and have it shredded for free.  You can bring additional boxes, but additional boxes will cost $2 each for shredding.

(Editor's Note-  I happen to know that Saturday is also Arundel Soccer Association (ASA) Day at the fields next to Arundel High School.  Don't be surprised if things are a bit crowded getting in and out of there on Saturday... or plan to stay a while and watch some kids soccer and play on the inflatable slide.)

The other opportunity is for styrofoam recycling.  Styrofoam is one of the few things that the County will not take in your curbside pickup.  However, did you know that there is a nationwide EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) organization located locally in Crofton, and their mission to promote recycling and awareness of styrofoam recyling among manufacturers and the community?  Not only that, but yes!  they accept styrofoam packaging for recycling at their Crofton location.  They will take the blocks of foam that come in electronics packaging, sheets of styrofoam, and egg cartons.  They do not, however,  take used food service products.  Give them a call if you have further questions, or go drop off your stryrofoam today at the address below.

Alliance of Foam Packaging Recyclers
1298 Cronson Blvd, Suite 201
Crofton, MD 21114
410-451-8340

EPS Packaging- Crofton

If you are interested in recycling other hard to recycle materials, check out the Earth911 link to the right.  There are many resources there for finding ways to keep your stuff out of the landfill.  With all of these options for recycling, we have little excuse to send anything to our landfill.

BGE Smart Savers Rebates

Save All Summer Long Join PeakRewardsSM and you can save up to $200 in summer bill credits for helping reduce energy demand in our region. We’ll install an outdoor air conditioner switch or programmable thermostat at no cost to you. If you choose the thermostat, you could save up to 15% on energy costs year-round, and you’ll be able to manage your settings from a smartphone or any Internet browser. Click or call 888.309.PEAK (7325) to learn more. Memorial Day Appliance Rebates Here’s one more reason to take advantage of Memorial Day weekend sales: You can take home a bundle of savings on ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances. BGE’s Smart Energy Savers Program offers rebates up to $350 on high-efficiency water heaters, clothes washers, refrigerators, room A/C units, dehumidifiers and more. Plus, let us pick up and recycle an old (working) refrigerator or freezer, and we’ll give you $50! Click for details and rebate forms. Choose a STAR Performer If the warm weather’s got you perusing new properties, look for homes bearing the ENERGY STAR label. These homes are at least 15% more energy efficient than those constructed to Maryland’s building code. They use less energy so you’ll save hundreds in electricity costs annually — thousands over the years you live in your home. Click to find your dream home builder.

Fertilizer Act of 2011

Did you know that one year ago, Governor Martin O'Malley signed a law that restricts the use of fertilizers in Maryland in an effort to keep excess nutrients out of the Bay.  The law limits what and when homeowners are allowed to use on their lawns and landscapes.  Below is a link to the full information, but here is the quick version.  The Fertilizer Use Act of 2011:

• Prohibits using lawn fertilizer on impervious surfaces.
  Prohibits using fertilizer:
  • Between November 15 and March 1
  • When the ground is frozen
  • Within 10 to 15 feet of waterways
• Restricts the amount of phosphorus applied to turf, with allowances when soil tests indicate low or medium phosphorus levels or when the homeowner is establishing a new lawn or repairing or reestablishing a lawn.
• Establishes maximum application rates for total nitrogen and water soluble nitrogen.
• Establishes maximum application rates for enhanced efficiency controlled-release products.
• Authorizes the county, municipality or the Maryland Department of Agriculture to enforce these requirements.

Please be aware of what you are putting into the Chesapeake Bay.

Maryland Fertilizer Act of 2011

Climate Change, Climate Action

Recently, we found several interesting comments about climate change.  Yesterday, The Presbyterian Eco-Journey blog posted the following entry about Christian response to climate change and a call for action.  At the same time, we found a commentary by James Hansen at the Ted Conference about how long we have been on this path to climate change, how long we have chosen inaction, and what the current realities are.  The link to Mr. Hansen's talk is at the bottom.  How will you act today?

APRIL 23, 2012

New Book – Sacred Acts – Provides Strategies to Meet the Call for Climate Action

REBECCA BARNES-DAVIES

While climate change has become politicized in Congress, religious leaders - Presbyterians as well as Christians of many diverse backgrounds – have expressed more agreement than discord on the need to address climate change.

Many lay and ordained leaders within the Presbyterian Church USA acknowledge the scientific consensus that human actions have caused the planet’s warming, and PCUSA has a long-standing policy about taking action on climate change. Sometimes, however, it can be harder to translate that knowledge into action at a congregational level.

A new book, Sacred Acts: How Churches are Working to Protect Earth’s Climate (New Society Publishers, 2012), brings together stories and strategies of how churches are confronting climate change, the greatest moral crisis of our time. Edited by Mallory McDuff, Sacred Acts includes the writings of national leaders such as Bill McKibben, the Rev. Sally Bingham, founder and director of Interfaith Power & Light, and Dr. Katharine Hayhoe, climate scientist and evangelical.

The focus of this anthology is on voices from local congregations that are harvesting food from church gardens, weatherizing parish halls, installing solar panels on sanctuaries, and advocating against mountaintop removal. Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, for example, has completed 76 energy audits of religious facilities, saving congregations 20 percent of their energy budgets: 200 more congregations are in the pipeline. Many of these are Presbyterian congregations.

Sacred Acts is organized around four avenues for addressing climate change – stewardship, spirituality, advocacy, and justice – with three chapters in each section. Writing about stewardship, the Rev. Fletcher Harper describes his work with congregations on projects such as installing solar panels at the United Methodist Church in Red Bank, NJ, which now generate 30 percent of the congregation’s energy or conducting an energy audit at Shiloh Baptist Church in Trenton, NJ, with $7,000 in annual savings. Dr. Norman Wirzba at Duke Divinity School examines our theological and spiritual connection to gardening, which can bring us in closer relationship to God and his Earth. Through advocacy, LeeAnne Beres and Jessie Dye tell the story of how churches working with Earth Ministry in Washington State led to legislation that will transition the only coal-fired power plant off coal. And Peggy Shepard, the executive director of the grassroots group WEACT, describes how congregations and communities have focused on justice to address  the disproportionate health impacts of global warming on the poor.

Some skeptics might protest that churches are unprepared to confront global warming when memberships and budgets are shrinking. Others might say people of faith lack the capacity to act with consensus around a politically divisive issue.

But history tells us that Christians have mobilized around key moral and political issues such as the anti-slavery and civil rights movements. Climate change has brought together diverse religious denominations that often disagree about issues such as abortion or gay marriage. 

On April 24, in Washington, DC, people of faith will gather to remind us of this legacy for an Interfaith Day for Climate Action. The gathering will include a service, vigil and meetings with elected officials to advocate for policies to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, phase out fossil fuel subsidies, and help communities prepare for the impacts of climate change.

Likewise, the voices in Sacred Acts reveal that we must reinvigorate churches through climate action that reflects loving our neighbor as ourselves. Our worship prepares us for such sacred acts of resistance that can reconcile us with the earth, each other, and ultimately with God.

TED Talks- Why I must speak out about climate change

Happy Earth Day!

Today, we simply offer you these thoughts from Gaylord Nelson-  the founder of Earth Day.

"Our goal is not just an environment of clean air and water and scenic beauty.  The objective is of an environment of decency, quality and mutual respect for all other human beings and all other living creatures.
Our goal is a new American ethic that sets new standards for progress, emphasizing human dignity and well being rather than an endless parade of technology that produces more gadgets, more waste and more pollution."

"The ultimate test of a man's conscience may be his willingness to sacrifice something today for future generations whose words of thanks will not be heard."

Earth Week Events

This coming sunday is Earth Day. How will you celebrate God's creation? Here are a couple of events that you may be interested in. On Sunday afternoon at the Annapolis Towne Center, the Chesapeake Interfaith Environmental Group will be sponsoring the Earth, Water, Faith Festival. This will a combination of music, food, and educational opportunities, and it is free. Check out the link to the right for more information.

Then, starting on Sunday and running throughout the week, there will be a national level interfaith conference on the Poenvironment in Washington, D.C.. This event will include a service at the National Cathedral, many associated talks and lectures, and a morning prayer vigil. This event does cost a small amount, and require registration, but includes a weeks worth of opportunities. We hope that you will attend one of these events, or find, or create your own.
The important part its that you find a way to celebrate, and learn more about what you can do to help preserve what has been put in our care.

NRCC Washington Week 2012

BGE Quick Home Energy Checkup

Is your home energy efficient?  How do you know?  BGE offers a FREE program called the Quick Home Energy Checkup.  You say that nothing is really free?  Well technically you are correct.... you have already paid for this service whether you receive it or not.  The State of Maryland has passed a mandate to reduce the amount of electricity consumption in the state by 15% by the end of 2015.  In order to make this a reality, they have assessed a tax on your electricity bill in the form of the EmPower Maryland program.  (go look at your bill... its there).  This money pays for electricity providers such as BGE to help make you more energy efficient.

So what do you do?  First, you call BGE and schedule an appointment for your Energy Checkup.  When they arrive the BGE representatives do a one to one and a half hour visual inspection of your home.  They will look at your windows, your insulation, your furnace and air conditioner, your hot water heater, your appliances,  and your lighting.  They will review your BGE bill with you to get a quick idea of how much electricity you are using, and then walk around your home with you to see what you might be able to change.  This is not a sales call and they are not trying to sell you anything.  BGE is attempting to follow the State mandate and by making you more efficient they are accomplishing that goal.  In fact, they want to give you things.  They will insulate your hot water heater hot water pipes, install up to 12 CFL lamps, install up to four reduced flow aerators on your faucets, and install up to two low flow shower heads.  During this review, you will also receive lots of advice on both large and small projects that you can do on your own or with a contractor to reduce your energy usage.  The representatives will be able to give you an idea of whether investment in a particular change will be worth the energy savings that you will receive.  They will also give you advice on a range of health and safety issues that they might see during the walk through.

If you feel that your home needs a more comprehensive review, BGE also offers a Home Performance with Energy Star review which includes a pressurized blower test on you home to look for leaks, and infrared cameras to analyze the efficiency of your insulation.  This test will cost you $100, but also will include rebates on energy efficient improvements to your home.

Check out the link below and schedule your test today.  There is no reason not to do it... you have already paid for it!

Quick Home Energy Check

When in Drought.... Xeriscape!

The National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) has deemed the Chesapeake region as "abnormally dry".  This is the beginning level of a scale that ranges through several steps up to "exceptional drought".  This means that we have seen less than normal precipitation for the year and we are experiencing the beginning of drought conditions.  If these conditions continue, which they are expected to do through June, then we could be declared as officially being in a drought and start seeing water restrictions.  Don't you wish you had a rain barrel right about now?

So how do you prepare for drought conditions and potential water restrictions?  You say that you really do not want your yard looking like a burnt mess?   Try Xeriscaping!  Xeriscaping is landscaping or gardening in such a way as to encourage water conservation.  Xeriscaping not only saves water, but reduces the amount of maintenance required to take care of your landscaping.  Fundamentals of Xeriscaping include  water conservation, soil improvement and amendment, the use of appropriate plantings, and mulch.  This does not mean that you have to populate your beds and gardens with cactus.  There are plenty of drought resistant plants and flowers that grow well in this region whether we are in a drought or not.  Be sure to apply xeriscaping principles to your vegetable garden as well.  Your food plants might not be drought resistant, but you can certainly use mulch and appropriate watering techniques such as drip irrigation to conserve water.  Check out the link below to get tips on xeriscaping and see a list of plants, trees and shrubs you might use in your yard to help conserve water.  Good luck!

Grow Xeriscape

Home Gardening

Do you have a personal garden at home?  We know many Ark and Dove members grow their own produce in a variety of arrangements and for a variety of reasons.  Your garden could be as simple as a few containers on your patio, or as complex as your whole yard.  Growing your own food could not only be cheaper than buying from the store, but also allows you to reduce the carbon footprint of the food you consume.  Walking to your garden and picking a tomato consumes much less energy and resources than buying ones that have been shipped from California or Mexico.

So whether you are a seasoned gardener or thinking about just starting out, we have two resources for you today.  The first is the Maryland Food Gardening Network sponsored by the University of Maryland College of Agriculture.  They have resources on a wide variety of gardening topics, advice on common problems and even a 1-800 hotline for gardening questions.

Grow It Eat It website

If you do have a large garden and you end up with more produce than you are able to consume.. what do you do with it?   Ample Harvest is a national organization which aids in reducing hunger in our community by sharing your harvest with local food pantries. You are able to search and find a large collection of locations that will take fresh produce and get it to those in need.  If you have a good garden year, please consider sharing with others.

Ample Harvest

Efficient use of our economic and environmental resources enables us to help others that are in need.

Lawn Care

As you get outside this spring and start taking care of your property, consider environmental practices that are safe for the Chesapeake Bay.  Limit your use of chemicals and fertilizers, use plantings that are native to our area, and use your watering efficiently.  Below is a guide produced by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation on lawn care.



Test your Soil
-Find out what your lawn actually needs to thrive, and find organic, local materials to protect it.

Feed the Soil to Feed the Lawn:
-Proper use of fertilizers and compost is critical. Choose natural, organic fertilizers, or create your own organic compost to give your lawn the nutrients—and only those nutrients—it needs. The best alternative to water-soluble chemical fertilizers for your lawn and garden is compost. You can make your own from food waste, grass clippings, yard waste, and other natural ingredients, or purchase it from garden centers. -Nutrient and mineral-rich compost:
        Improves the productivity and health of the soil,
        Increases rainfall and runoff absorption, and slowly releases nitrogen to your plants (and not the Bay where it is needed the most.
- A compost “bin” can be as simple as a pile of leaves left to decompose in a corner of your yard or it can be a purchased container made to speed up the decomposition process. The best compost is a mix of:

Two (2) parts “green” material: vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, egg shells, wilted flowers, and grass clippings (do not use animal products such as meat or fats); and
One (1) part “brown” material: raked leaves, grass clippings, straw, hay, sawdus
Add water if necessary to keep the pile from drying out, but don’t let it get soggy. Turn it every now and then to circulate the material, add oxygen, and speed up decomposition.

Mow High
-Don't cut your grass too short. Taller grasses help prevent weeds, allow roots to reach deeper and reduce runoff, and stay green longer during drought. A height of 2 1/2 to 3 inches is ideal.

Pick the Right Grass Seed
-Do your research (or use CBF's guide) to select the best grass for your lawn.

Water Thoughtfully
-Don't overwater your lawn. In fact, excess water can cause disease. During the hot summer, it is normal for the grass to go dormant, and the tops of grass blades to go brown.

Deal with Lawn Problems Safely
-Weeds can be removed by hand, or with natural products like corn gluten or vinegar. Most insects and "nuisance" animals, like moles, aerate the soil and are actually good for your lawn!
-Use a weed-popper or trowel to remove individual weeds
-Spray full strength vinegar on young leaves (works especially well on a hot day)
-Burn weeds with a propane torch
-Pour boiling water over weeds
-Feed lawn with compost or organic fertilizers, so grasses outcompete the weeds
-Learn to live with a dandelion or two

Minimize Pollution from Lawn Equipment
-A gas-powered push mover used for one hour produces as much air pollution as ten cars driven the same amount of time.

Reduce your Lawn
-Great expanses of grass are not your only option. Consider enlarging flower beds, planting native shrubs under large trees, letting fallen leaves serve as compost, and creating a rain (or wetland) garden in wet areas. Smaller lawns need less water, maintenance (mowing, watering, and fertilizing), and toxic chemicals.
-Determine how much of your lawn you actually use (for a play area, paths and walkways, access to the mailbox, or utility areas).
-Plant alternatives to lawn area, such as islands of trees and shrubs or a no-mow meadow.
-Bring the edge of your property closer by densely planting a mixture of native trees and shrubs. The result in a short time is a wooded area that you don’t have to mow and provides many wildlife benefits.

It's starting to feel like spring

We hope that the past week leading up to Easter has been a meaningful one for you, and you were able to take part in some of the worship activities that Ark and Dove offered.  We also hope that you took advantage of the beautiful Easter Day that we were given by getting outside and enjoying the sunshine.

The blog has been on a short break to deal with a variety of recent events, but we are now back and racing towards Earth Day.  We will soon be asking you to tell us about what you have done to make a difference in the world during the God's Green Earth Stewardship campaign.

Recently, many of us have been outside getting our gardens ready to plant, tending seedlings, and mulching flower beds.  Others have been out just enjoying nature by talking a walk, or a bike ride.  However you choose to enjoy the green earth that God has given us, make sure that you do not forget to stop and experience the wonder of the nature around you, and thank God for this blessing.