Contents:

inspiration
Psalm 100

earthcare news
Fall Retreat wrap-up

calendar

creation care

At Home 
Alternative gift wrapping ideas

At Church 
Whose birthday is it anyway?: resources for church and family

In Our Community and World 
Buying fair trade gifts

For Kids 
Focusing on Christ at Christmas

book review
A Simple Christmas, by Alice Chapin

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations." (Psalm 100, NIV)

EarthCare News

Fall Retreat Wrap-Up

by Jack Pierce

The ninth annual EarthCare fall retreat began as it has many times before with a drive along the Tennessee River in the beautiful Tennessee River Gorge west of Chattanooga. Once again the Tennessee River Gorge Trust graciously allowed us to use their Pot Point Field Station for our retreat. It is a restored log cabin dating from pioneer days. As folks arrived they were greeted with warm smiles, hot coffee, cold juice, and a plethora of baked goods. There was a time of fellowship before the featured speaker, Dr. Olin Ivey (Olin) began.

Discussion – Sustainability At Home

Facets of Sustainability

Olin chaired a discussion of "Sustainability in the Home". He laid the groundwork for our discussion by distributing a graphic that depicted the human mode of being as an ecological societal system, of which we all are part. Within this system, sustainability is shown as having four facets, namely (1) environmental, (2) economical, (3) technological, and (4) social justice and fairness.

Sustainability and Ethics

Olin started the discussion by saying that making environmental decisions is the most important ethical problem we face. He shared some insight into St. Francis of Assisi who spent his life giving himself to others. St. Francis was not truly at peace with God until he reached a deep ecological understanding of life, until he knew deep down that his very life and all of creation around him were gifts from God, woven by God into a vast interrelated tapestry. All ethical decisions then flow from this state of being one with God's creation. Since we are part of the larger societal system, and the rest of the world doesn't think in these terms, then why bother? Because it has to start somewhere!

Sustainability in Households and Intentional Communities

Also in attendance to help facilitate the discussion were Sandy Kurtz and Patricia (Trish) King. Sandy spoke from her experience with the Global Action Plan, and Trish represented the Sequatchie Valley Institute (SVI) in Whitwell Tennessee.

Sandy shared some thought provoking ideas concerning Household Ecoteams. The idea is to encourage folks at the family unit level ("because it has to start somewhere") to rethink all of the decisions that they make regarding sustainability and get them to eliminate wasteful practices and develop sustainable ones. Typically six or eight households will be involved as part of an Ecoteam. This helps foster more ideas and lends support and accountability. Sandy also mentioned intentional communities, which can be based in an urban or a rural setting. The urban communities are usually constructed so that there is a commons area in the middle. All intentional communities share a lot of the work that needs to be done, as well as possessions (does every family need to own a fifty foot ladder?).

Trish King told us about some of the sustainable practices being used at the SVI. Nothing is wasted. When they build, they use locally found materials, as well as sturdy materials salvaged from torn down buildings. They offer workshops and other educational outreach programs to help foster sustainability within the community, such as ways to accomplish natural building and the use of alternative energy sources.

As the morning discussion was drawing to an end, the smells wafting from the kitchen area informed our palates that lunch would soon be served. As usual, the EarthCare members had brought plenty of food to share with our guests. The meal included several sustainably prepared vegetarian dishes. We all had plenty to eat!

Fun and Fellowship

After lunch, there was a special guest appearance of "Buz the Buzzard". This was a delightful presentation by Joyce Carroll, a talented ventriloquist from Pikeville Tennessee. She played straight man to Buz's antics. Buz and she led the group in a charming song with an environmental theme sung as a round.

After Buz (a very hard act to follow), the EarthCare Band led those present in some lively sing-a-long favorites, such as "I'll Fly Away", "This World Is Not My Home", "Simple Gifts", "The Unclouded Day", and others. It was a great time of fellowship singing songs, and worshiping God together.

More Sustainability Discussion

Practical Ideas for Our Homes

After the music was done, Olin asked us to share some of the sustainable practices that we do in our household. Some of the things mentioned were:

• Composting vegetable matter and yard clippings.
• Creating brush piles so that small critters can escape predation
• Using homemade cleaners where possible
• Installing low-flow shower heads and commodes
• Carpooling
• Planning errands so that economical routes can be taken (dove-tailing)

The key to sustainability is not only to reduce, re-use, and recycle, but also to rethink. We need to rethink our practices in the light of being one with God's creation.

Sharing Ideas through EarthCare's Online Forum

Time kept us from any further idea sharing and brainstorming. It was suggested, however, that as we rethink our practices, we can share ideas with others through the EarthCare website. It has a built-in discussion forum, which can be reached by clicking on the Forum link on the website menu. There is a Praxis discussion board (praxis - practical things we can do) which contains a "Sustainability in the Home" topic. You can add your ideas and comments by replying to that topic.

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Calendar

Nov 26 through Jan 1

"Christmas Around the World" Exhibition and Sale
A Faith/Works Global Gallery exhibition and sale of fairly traded art and crafts from around the world
Opens Saturday, November 26.
Extended Hours through January 1: Mon-Thurs 11am-6pm / Fri-Sat 10am-6pm

610 Chattanooga Valley Rd., Flintstone, GA.

More information: www.faithworksglobalgallery.com

Dec 5 - Sun

Holiday Crafts Workshop
Sunday, December 5, 1-4pm

Sequatchie Valley Institute, Whitwell, TN

Participants will have an opportunity to make ginger bread men, as well as natural forest decorations, gifts, wrappings, and more.

Cost/Registration: $15: Includes materials, instruction, a warm fire, hot cider, coffee, and snacks. Contact Carol at: (423) 949-5922
More information: www.svionline.org

Dec 11 - Sat

Mailbox Arrangement with Fresh Greenery Workshop
Saturday, December 11, 10am - noon

Wreaths with Fresh Greenery Workshop
Saturday December 11, 2-4pm
Crabtree Farms. 1000 E. 30th St., Chattanooga

Padgett Arnold leads these fun-filled workshop, demonstrating drying techniques of greenery and fall flowers.

Cost/Registration: Each workshop: $20 per person. Call 423/493-9155 x10, or email.
More information: www.crabtreefarms.org

Dec 11 - Sat
Chattanooga, Tn. Household Hazardous Waste Collection
2nd Saturday of each month. 8am-noon.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 3925 North Hawthorne St.
Information: (423) 698-9531 http://www.chattanooga.gov/pubworks/citywide/sanitation/household.htm

Dec 14 - Tues
EarthCare Monthly Planning Meeting
2nd Tuesday of each month. 6:30pm.
Information:  

Dec 18 - Sat
Dalton, Ga. Household Hazardous Waste Collection
3rd Saturday of each month. 7am-2pm.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Old Dixie Landfill
Information: http://landfill.citydalton.net/hhw.html

Feb 10-12, 2005   Thurs-Sat
Conference: "God, Earth, Ethics"
Covenant College, Lookout Mountain, GA

Speaker: Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger, Dept. of Religion, Hope College. Author of the book For the Beauty of the Earth: A Christian Vision for Creation Care

Topics:

Thursday Evening  Where are you at?: knowing your place / How does the world work?: an ecological sense of place / Is creation groaning?: the state of the earth

Friday Evening  Why are we in this mess?: in search of explanations / Is the Bible the problem? exploring the Old Testament / Is the Bible the problem? revisiting the New Testament

Saturday Morning  What kind of people should we be?: ecological virtues / Why care for the earth?: from prudence to piety / What on earth can we do?: practical earthkeeping

Cost:
No cost to attend the lectures unless you want to take the course for college credit

Information:
More details will be posted on the College's website in January: www.covenant.edu

Feb 18-20, 2005   Fri-Sun
Southeast Student Renewable Energy Conference
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
The three-day conference will include skills-building workshops, panels, speakers, and discussion regarding the possibilities of a clean energy future for Southeast college campuses.
Information: Contact Nick Algee at (865) 637-6055 ext 22 or nick@cleanenergy.org

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Creation Care

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6, KJV)

We hope you enjoy the following ideas and resources for the Christmas season.
We wish you and yours a very blessed Christmas!

At Home

Alternative Gift Wrapping Ideas

Want to wrap your Christmas gifts using recycled or reusable materials? Following are some ideas for alternative wrapping:

•  Use part of the gift as wrapping. For example, use pillowcases or dish towels to wrap household items. Tie with a ribbon or a piece of twine.

•  Use comic paper.

•  Use children's art.

•  Use fabric remnants.  If you sew, you can make fabric bags and tie the top with a ribbon. If you don't sew, just take a piece of fabric, gather up, and tie the ribbon to secure the gift inside. Fabric remnants can be purchased in most fabric and craft stores.

•  Trim gifts with items from nature. Evergreen branches, pinecones, shells

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At Church

Whose Birthday Is It Anyway?
Resources for Church and Family

Alternatives for Simple Living, a non-profit organization, offers a variety of Christmas resources for churches and families. Through their annual Christmas campaign, they endeavor to "equip people of faith to challenge consumerism, live justly, and celebrate responsibly." Their 2004 Whose Birthday Is It Anyway? booklet includes Advent/Christmas reflections and is available in several denominational editions. The booklet may be purchased in quantity in print format or reprinted from the web by purchasing an online reprint license. Alternatives for Simple Living's website is <www.simpleliving.org>.

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In Our Community and World

Buying Fair Trade Gifts

During the holidays, one way we can reach out and express the love of Jesus Christ to others around the world is to purchase gifts from fair trade organizations and businesses. By make such purchases our money goes to support sustainable business practices, fair treatment of workers, and citizens' providing for the needs of their own communities. Fair Trade brings trade to communities that need it the most.

Some fair trade organizations are:

Faith/Works Global Gallery (Chattanooga Area) <http://www.faithworksglobalgallery.com/>

"Celebrating the gifts of hand, heart, and spirit," Faith/Works is a fair trade pottery gallery located just south of St. Elmo at 610 Chattanooga Valley Road in Flintstone, GA. Through the gallery Chattanoogans have the opportunity to purchase locally pottery from artisans in developing countries. Owners Jeff and Beth Rogers have served as missionaries to Haiti with missions organization Beyond Borders. In Haiti, the Rogers taught techniques for making ceramic water filters and for setting up a business.

The Gallery's regular hours are: Fridays and Saturdays 10am-6pm. Their special holiday hours during their "Christmas Around the World" exhibit (Nov 26-Jan 1) will be Mon-Thurs 11am-6pm and Fri-Sat 10am-6pm. You may also purchase selected items through the website www.faithworksglobalgallery.com.

A Greater Gift - SERRV International <www.serrv.org>

SERRV International is "a nonprofit alternative trade and development organization." Their mission is "to promote the social and economic progress of people in developing regions of the world by marketing their products in a just and direct manner." In addition to partnering with fair trade associations, SERRV partners with Christian organizations: Catholic Relief Services, Christian Children's Fund, and Lutheran World Relief.

Ten Thousand Villages <http://www.tenthousandvillages.com>

A network of 70 stores that purchase fairly-traded goods from Ten Thousand Villages of Akron, Pennsylvania, which is a nonprofit program of the Mennonite Central Committee, the relief and development agency of Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches in North America.

Locations near Chattanooga/Dalton include:

Atlanta, GA. Ten Thousand Villages, 1056 St. Charles Avenue N.E, phone: (404) 892-5307, website: www.atlanta-midtown.com/nonprofit/villages/  email: atlantavillages@bellsouth.net

Knoxville, TN. Village Marketplace, 32 Market Square, phone: (865) 541-5050.

Nashville, TN.  Ten Thousand Villages, Green Hills Area, Hillsboro Plaza, 3900 Hillsboro Pike, phone: (615) 385-5814. email: villagesnashtn@bellsouth.net

North Carolina. Several stores. See http://montreat.tenthousandvillages.com/

For more information on fair trade and for a list of more fair trade businesses, see www.fairtradefederation.com

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For Kids

Focusing on Christ at Christmas

One way we can begin to shift our emphasis from material things to Christ during the Advent/Christmas season is to establish spiritually-focused personal and family holiday traditions. Some possibilities are:

•  Have a family Advent wreath. Make or purchase an Advent wreath. Each night light a candle, read a Bible passage or devotion, and say a prayer together. Advent wreaths may be purchased at Christian bookstores, candle shops, pottery shops, craft stores, and via the Internet. Advent devotion books may be purchased in Christian bookstores.

•  Reach out to someone in need. As a family, shop for a child in need through a local angel tree program, or make a donation or volunteer your services to a charity that would be of special interest to the children in the family. Some families decide to take a portion of the money they would normally spend on each other and give it to a charity. In other families, each family member saves money throughout the year to be able to reach out at Christmas.

•  Bake Christmas goodies together as a family. Share your goodies with those in your neighborhood.

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Book Review

Chapin, Alice. A Simple Christmas. Scottdale, Penn.: Harold Press, 1998. 256p.

In A Simple Christmas, Alice Chapin offers suggestions to help families celebrate the joy of Christmas. Included are ideas for Christ-focused celebrations, family activities, reaching out to others, and coping with holiday pressures. Alice Chapin is the author of many articles and books, and has served on the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ International for over 20 years.
 

The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26, NKJV)

About EarthCare Online Update

EarthCare Online Update is a free email newsletter published by EarthCare, Inc. Published approximately six times a year, the newsletter focuses on Christians' call to care for the earth, news of EarthCare activities, and resources to assist with daily aspects of creation care.

Please note that the views expressed in resources listed in the Update are not necessarily those of EarthCare. In the Update we attempt to include a variety of books, websites, etc. in order to facilitate readers' education and exploration of ideas regarding the care of God's creation. It is our hope and prayer that before embracing new beliefs or practices, readers will examine them in context of the teachings of the Bible and God's personal call in their lives.

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About EarthCare  
EarthCare, Inc. is a non-profit Christian organization that exists to promote creation stewardship within the Christian community. For more information about EarthCare, caring for God's creation, and links to other creation care resources, please see our website www.earthcareonline.org.

To Donate
"EarthCare Stewards" are what we call the generous individuals and churches who contribute to the ministries of EarthCare. We invite you to become an EarthCare Steward and join with us in supporting creation care in the Christian community. The ministries of EarthCare are funded entirely by gifts from folks like you who want to make a difference. Most gifts we receive are small, but because we're all volunteers any amount that you give will have a big impact! Your gift will go directly to support EarthCare ministries (projects, conferences, website, email list, mailing services, and other EarthCare activities). All gifts are tax deductible.

You may contribute by mailing a check or money order to the address below. Thank you!

EarthCare, Inc.
EarthCare Stewards
PO Box 23291
Chattanooga, TN 37422

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