What is this committee's focus?
The Beloved Community's Creation Care Stewards focus is to make sure that we are caring for God's creation.
Climate change is a factor that is affecting all of us around the world. As a worldwide population, all of us need to make environmental changes; if we do not, then our current and future quality of life will be compromised. The goal of environmental sustainability is not only to conserve natural resources but to develop alternate sources of power that lessen our worldwide pollution. It is not only looking at conserving natural resources, but also preserving and expanding native plant life worldwide.
Do we have any obligation as Christians to care for what God has made?
The World’s faith communities state that climate change is a moral issue for all of us. Statements from the heads of the Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran churches all agree that it is a moral issue and nations and their people must address reversing global warming.
Our love for God must be reflected in fulfilling the role God gave to humanity. God appointed us to bear God’s image (Gen 1:27) and entrusted this world to our care(Gen. 2:15). So caring for God’s creation is one of the most fundamental things we are called to do as Christians.
· Genesis 1:1-31 God made the heavens and the earth and it was good.
· Genesis 2:15 Humans are commanded to care for God’s creation.
On what issues is the committee focused?
Our current focus is to see what steps we can take as a congregation to help reduce global warming by making our building more energy efficient along with exploring sustainable energy options.
Can I be a part of the committee?
Absolutely! All are welcome. Looking to join? Contact contact Gary Cumley at garycumley@gmail.com or (715) 310-9295
Current News from Creation Care Steward Team
The Beloved Community's Creation Care Stewards focus is to make sure that we are caring for God's creation.
Climate change is a factor that is affecting all of us around the world. As a worldwide population, all of us need to make environmental changes; if we do not, then our current and future quality of life will be compromised. The goal of environmental sustainability is not only to conserve natural resources but to develop alternate sources of power that lessen our worldwide pollution. It is not only looking at conserving natural resources, but also preserving and expanding native plant life worldwide.
Do we have any obligation as Christians to care for what God has made?
The World’s faith communities state that climate change is a moral issue for all of us. Statements from the heads of the Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran churches all agree that it is a moral issue and nations and their people must address reversing global warming.
Our love for God must be reflected in fulfilling the role God gave to humanity. God appointed us to bear God’s image (Gen 1:27) and entrusted this world to our care(Gen. 2:15). So caring for God’s creation is one of the most fundamental things we are called to do as Christians.
· Genesis 1:1-31 God made the heavens and the earth and it was good.
· Genesis 2:15 Humans are commanded to care for God’s creation.
On what issues is the committee focused?
Our current focus is to see what steps we can take as a congregation to help reduce global warming by making our building more energy efficient along with exploring sustainable energy options.
Can I be a part of the committee?
Absolutely! All are welcome. Looking to join? Contact contact Gary Cumley at garycumley@gmail.com or (715) 310-9295
Current News from Creation Care Steward Team
- Climate Change is a real thing and BC Creation Care groups are helping to take care of what God has given us.
- BC has 3 phases to our Creative Care plan
- Members of the Alternative Energy Task Force – We have worked closely with Ryan Negro from Focus on Energy -Dorey and Jamie Delikowski, John Rendall, Larry Kind, Tom Orden, Gary Cumley.
- Phase One- all outdoor and indoor lights have been upgraded to LED lights except for the gym area.
- Savings for the lighting upgrade- saving 11,758 kWh; Annual $ savings= $1295.79 Cost payback 3.38 years, $741.29 incentive from Focus on Energy.
- Final Cost $4383.71 for lighting upgrade. Funds from both churches in the Capital Account were used to pay the final costs.
- Phase one- Replacement of the refrigerators and dishwashers are the only thing needs to finish Phase One. If upgraded to Energy Star then we would save 2,202 kWh.
- The approximate cost of replacing the refrigerators and dishwashers would be about $3000. We are looking for donations and/or other funding sources.
- Members of the Prairie Planting Task Force- We have worked closely with Brendan Woodall, Wisconsin Private Lands Biologist from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife services. -Carol Moore, Judy Orden, Mary Schoonover, Paul Dorsee, Ann Keifer, and Ellen Christenson
- Phase Two- bringing back our natural environment by native plantings. See Carol Moore’s article
- Phase Two –project has been fully funded and will be completed by May 2023.
- Phase Three- We will be working closely with Ryan Negro from Focus on Energy to investigate the possibility of installing solar panels. We will be scheduling a time with Ryan to make a presentation to the congregation about energy conservation and the feasibility of installing solar panels. Securing funding for Phase Three will be through investigating grant opportunities through Focus on Energy, non-profit grant opportunities and from donations.
- If you have any questions about the Beloved Community’s Creation Care please contact Gary Cumley at garycumley@gmail.com or 715-310-9295.
The Creation Care Team has started planting! Our Prairie Pollinators have been started. We look forward to watching these grow and see what is added through the growing season.
