EarthCare Online Update - November/December 2005

EarthCare Online Update NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2005

"Caring for God's Creation" www.earthcareonline.org

"The earth is the LORD's, and the fullness thereof..." (Psalm 24:1, KJV)

God created everything through Christ - Colossians 1:15-17
Christ makes all things new - Revelation 21:3-7

In Our Community and World
Links to sources for fair trade Christmas decorations and gifts
Sustainable initiatives for rebuilding the Gulf Coast are being explored

For EarthCare Online Update subscription information, please click here.

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before God made anything at all and is supreme over all creation.Christ is the one through whom God created everything in heaven and earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see--kings, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities. Everything has been created through him and for him. He existed before everything else began, and he holds all creation together.

I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, "Look, the home of God is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. For the old world and its evils are gone forever."

And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making all things new!" And then he said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." And he also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega--the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give the springs of the water of life without charge! All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

You'll want to check out the new addition to EarthCare's creation care links page! EarthCare has recently added links to sites where you may click daily to support charitable causes. Whenever you visit a site and click, the sponsors of the website will donate money to environmental and other humanitarian organizations. Here are a few of the ways in which you can make a difference by just taking a few moments to click:

Preserve rain forests, U.S. wilderness, and coastal habitat.
Reduce pollution.
Plant trees.
Help feed the hungry.
Fund healthcare and books for children.
Fund food for animals.
Conserve bird habitats.

NOVEMBER 26 SATURDAY
Lula Lake Land Trust Open Gate Day - Lookout Mountain
Saturday, November 26, 2005. 9:00am - 5pm
Lookout Mountain, TN
Lula Lake Land Trust will be open for hiking, biking, and picnicking. Pets are welcome on a leash.
More information: Call (423) 821-2424; directions; website: lulalake.org.

DECEMBER 1 thursday
Crabtree Farms Holiday Open House - Chattanooga
Thursday, December 1, 2005. 4-7pm.
Crabtree Farms. 1000 E. 30th St., Chattanooga.
Cost: Free - open to the public.
More information: crabtreefarms.org.

DECEMBER 10 SATURDAY
Bird Watching Field Trip - Chattanooga
Saturday, December 10, 9:30am-1pm.
Chattanooga Nature Center, 400 Garden Road, Chattanooga.
Cost: Chattanooga Nature Center members $8. Non-members $10. Children - half price.
What to bring and more information: chattanature.org. (423) 821-1160

DECEMBER 10 SATURDAY
Wreath Design Workshop- Chattanooga
Saturday, December 10, 2005. 10am-noon.
Crabtree Farms. 1000 E. 30th St., Chattanooga.
Cost: $20 per person.
Registration: Call 423/493-9155 x10, or email.
More information: crabtreefarms.org.

december 10 Saturday
Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Chattanooga
2nd Saturday of each month. 8am-noon.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 3925 North Hawthorne St., Chattanooga.
Information: Chattanooga Public Works (423) 698-9531.

DECEMBER 11 SUNDAY
Appalachian Christmas Celebration - Chattanooga
Sunday, December 11, 4-5pm
Fellowship Hall, Brainerd United Methodist Church, 4315 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga.
The celebration will include a wide variety of art forms: traditional Appalachian music, dance, video, photographs of Appalachia, skit and pantomime.
Cost: free
Directions and more information about the church: brainerd.hoston.org.

EarthCare Monthly Meeting and Christmas Potluck
Planning meeting - 2nd Tuesday of each month. 6:30pm.
Location information: .

december 17 Saturday
Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Dalton, GA
3rd Saturday of each month. 7am-2pm.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Old Dixie Landfill, Dalton
Information: Dalton City Landfill (706) 277-3389

january 7-15 SATURDAY THRU SUNDAY OF FOLLOWING WEEK
Wilderness Wildlife Week - Pigeon Forge, TN
January 7-15, 2005.
A series of outdoor themed activities designed to connect visitors with the Great Smoky Mountains. Activities include walks, hikes, seminars, and programs for children.
More information: mypigeonforge.com. 1-800-WINTERFEST.

JANUARY 14 Saturday
Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Chattanooga
2nd Saturday of each month. 8am-noon.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 3925 North Hawthorne St., Chattanooga.
Information: Chattanooga Public Works (423) 698-9531.

JANUARY 21 Saturday
Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Dalton, GA
3rd Saturday of each month. 7am-2pm.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Old Dixie Landfill, Dalton
Information: Dalton City Landfill (706) 277-3389

march 18 Saturday
Conference on Ethics, Values, and the Environment - Cambridge, MA
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Center for the Study of World Religions, Harvard Divinity School.
Information: (617) 495-4495; CSWR's site

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

Following are some ideas for ways we can support the environment as we and our families enjoy celebrating Christmas with a Christmas tree.

Organic Trees
By purchasing an organic Christmas tree, we can support natural habitat, organic tree farmers, and avoid bringing pesticides into our homes. For a list of sources for organic and sustainably-grown Christmas trees and wreaths that have been grown in North Carolina, visit the website of the Agricultural Resource Center & Pesticide Education Project.

Potted Trees
By purchasing a live tree, we can later plant the tree outdoors and give back to the environment. Our contribution will help to create cleaner air and habitat for wildlife. Please note that some trees do not fair well when kept in a warm, dry environment for a long period of time. For information on caring for and planting live Christmas trees, see the tips on Iowa State University's Dept.of Horticulture site.

Trees Grown on Farms
By purchasing a Christmas from a vendor who sells trees grown on tree farms, we can help protect old-growth forests.

Energy-Saving Lights
Mini-lights save energy over traditional size lights. For the most energy-efficient lighting, use light emitting diode (LED) Christmas tree lights. LED lights are about 90 percent more efficient than traditional incandescent Christmas lights, emit less heat, and burn longer. For more information on LED lights and lighting safety, visit EnergyIdeas.org.

Plastic Trees and Lights - Warning
Older plastic Christmas trees and some tree lights sold today may contain lead. The lead is used to stabilize the PVC plastic. Lead is more likely to be present in lights made in China where the restrictions are limited. Experts urge caution when handling Christmas tree lights because the lead may be absorbed by the skin. Children should not touch lights at all. For more information see the 2004 press release from the Baltimore City Health Department.

Tree Recycling
Many communities offer tree recycling services in which they pick up Christmas trees, mulch them, and make the mulch available to residents for use in their home gardens. Mulched Christmas trees can be used to help protect plants in cold or dry climates, save water in warm weather, and prevent soil erosion. Contact your local waste disposal services to learn about programs in your area.

Churches can play a vital role in helping individuals and families to celebrate the Christmas holidays in ways that focus more Jesus Christ and less on material things. One helpful resource for ideas and materials is Alternatives for Simple Living. Their website offers educational and worship resources to help people simplify the holidays and to celebrate in meaningful ways. Visit their Treasury of Celebrations page for Advent and Christmas ideas for churches and families.

Fair trade organizations attempt to engage in trade of goods so that the makers and laborers receive fair benefits, such as fair wages and good treatment in the work place. Some organizations also focus on sustainable business practices. Following are a few links to sources of such goods:

Following hurricanes Katrina and Rita, several organizations have been exploring the possibilities of incorporating sustainable solutions into the rebuilding of Gulf Coast communities . Among these are participants the 2005 GreenBuild International Conference & Expo, which met in Atlanta on November 9-11. At the Expo, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), together with the Enterprise Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the Trust for Public Land and other organizations presented their ideas. For more information on their work, visit the GreenBuild website.

Here are some simple, low cost ideas for making new Christmas traditions around the tree.

• Make homemade Christmas decorations together using items from nature. Check your local public library for Christmas craft ideas. Some possibilities are popcorn or cranberry garland and ornaments made out of homemade dough. For a salt dough recipe, visit AllThingsFrugal.com.

• Have a Christmas tree decorating party. This celebration can be a special time for just your family, or you might want to include another friend or family. Tree decorating can be a wonderful Christmas activity for grandparents and their grandchildren to do together. It's a time when grandparents might share stories about their own childhood Christmases.

To make a tree decorating party fun and stress-free, keep the celebration simple. Serve easy-to-prepare foods like soup or a hot beverage and simple appetizers. Have fun, and just accept with a smile that if the children are small, the bottom section of the tree may end up with a lot more ornaments than the top portion.

• When you decorate the Christmas tree, read the story of Jesus' birth or have the children tell the story. Some families enjoy acting out the Christmas story as they tell it, then place a nativity ornament on the tree and sing carols.

• Each night while the Christmas tree is up, spend some time as a family around the tree. This time around the tree can be a good time to have Advent or Christmas devotions, listen to some Christmas music, or talk about your day.

Everyone in EarthCare wishes you and yours a very blessed Christmas season! Merry Christmas!

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)

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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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.

"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!

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