The Lutheran Review

LWF Offers Youth Toolkit on Climate Change

A 36 -page pdf-version is available for download.  The Toolkit offers youth group leaders the following items:

Equip youth with knowledge about the impact of climate change

Organize Bible studies, role plays and other activities on the topic of climate change in various settings, e.g. workshop for youth, confirmation class, etc.

Provide guidelines for youth to design local projects fighting climate change.

View Here: LWF Climate Change Toolkit

Eco-Thank You Cards

Let's get crafty!

From the blog Eco Child's Play, an neat idea for reusing your wrapping for thank you cards.

Supplies

• Cardstock (You can find this at most craft stores for only a few dollars)
• Glue
• Scissors
• Left over pieces of wrapping paper, ribbon, and tags

Take a sheet of cardstock and cut it into a 11 inch by 4 inch rectangle. Fold your sheet of cardstock in half, pressing firmly across the folded edge to create a clean fold. One half of the outside fold will be the front of your card. Decorate this with your pieces of paper and ribbons, gluing them into place. For unique cards create each one from the paper used by the gift giver you are sending it to.

If you don’t feel very creative in designing your own thank you cards look to professional cards for ideas. When in doubt remember that less is more.

My Favorite Homemade Cleaner

Mix together in order in a spray bottle or mix in large measuring cup and pour into bottle. 

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp Borax

1/2 tsp dish soap (any)

2 cup hot water

Shake to dissolve minerals and shake before each use.  Works great on most surfaces including spot treating carpets.  Will make your faucets shine!  I use it on my kitchen and bathroom floors and counters, as well. 

Poems, Toys, and Cold Ducks

This morning before my usual 4-mile walk, I stopped briefly at one of my favorite toy stores.  The store carries Plan Toys and I wanted to buy my daughter a doll house for Christmas.  She is too young to read this, so no harm in telling you.  Plan Toys make very eco-friendly toys.

While walking, I made sure to take in the scenery: the red berries on a tree, the crispy rustling of dried leaves, and the sight of a few lone ducks on the pond (um, how do they not get cold!).

Before Christmas is one of my favorite church seasons, Advent.  I used to read a lot of poetry (almost majored in poetry).  Please enjoy this little poem from Patrick Kavanagh, Advent. 

A Call for Church Craft Fairs and Bazaars: Eco-Lutheran

I have a personal interest in recycling, recrafting, eco-friendly, and eco-Lutheran stuff.  One area that does not receive a lot of attention is the great opportunity that craft fairs and bazaars lend themselves to the environmental movement.  I don't think we have to see eye-to-eye on the causes of global warming to agree that preservation, reusing, and reducing waste are all good things. 

So, does your church have a fair of some sort?  If not, why not?

View: How to Organize a Church Bazaar

Lutheran Science Institute

The Lutheran Science Institute mission is to..."learn, share, and promote the glory of God as revealed in His holy Word and demonstrate in His created world...".  LSI focuse on a wide array of topics from Creationism to Vegetarianism.  Within the LSI Journal Index is a list of the past articles including a couple on the Environment.

View: LSI Conservation and the Environment

Church Gardens

A garden on church property?  What good could come?  Possible outcomes could be altar flowers, a quiet space for members, food for the needy, and learning opportunities for children. 

View: Christianity Today, "The Greening of God's House"

Energy Star and the Congregation

The Energy Star guidebook website for congregations offers many resources to help a congregation save money in sometimes the smallest way.  You can calculate your potential savings.  One area of money savings opportunity is in use of paper products, and the website offers simple suggestions that a congregation could inact today. 

Another energy-saving tip is to install carpet and cushions on the pews to help keep folks warm on cold days; thus not needing to turn the heat up.  Ceiling fans help distribute heat in the churches with high ceilings.  There are many lighting tips as well.  The ways to save energy are almost endless. 

View: Energy Star Guide for Congregations

Fair Trade Coffee

The coffee industry is a competitive business.  It is a heavily traded commodity and the small coffee bean farmer usually ends up with little profit for their hard work. The United States consumes one-fifth of the world's coffee; the largest consumer.  "Many small coffee farmers receive prices for their coffee that are less than the costs of production, forcing them into a cycle of poverty and debt." [Source: Global Exchange]

Lutheran World Relief offers a way to buy Fair Trade Coffee in partnership with Equal Exchange.  Equal Exchange is committed to fair trade.

View: LWR Fair Trade Coffee

Organic Cotton Lutheran Rose T-Shirt

Even Lutherans can show some eco-friendly style by wearing this 100% organic cotton t-shirt.  It features the Lutheran Rose.  The lightweight summer shirt is made in the USA. 

View: Cafe Press