EarthCare Online Update - September/October 2006

EarthCare Online Update SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2006

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

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

We invite you to EarthCare's 10th Annual Fall Retreat on Saturday, November 4, 2006

At Home
Buying florescent light bulbs is a simple way for individuals and families to begin addressing global warming

AT CHURCH
How much energy does your church need to expend in order to protect the church organ?

In Our Community and World
This autumn there are many opportunities in the Chattanooga and Dalton areas to serve, learn about, and enjoy God's creation

For Kids
Child, teen, and family resources for making wise consumer decisions

For EarthCare Online Update subscription information, please click here.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest;
even the hard pathways overflow with abundance.

When the ground soaks up the rain that falls on it and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has the blessing of God.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
―James 3:13, NIV

We invite you to EarthCare's 10th Annual Fall Retreat on Saturday, November 4, 2006

EarthCare will hold its 10th annual Fall Retreat Saturday, November 4, 2006 from 9:30am to 2pm at the Pot Point House (Tennessee River Gorge Field Station) located at the Tennessee River Gorge Trust.

Our guest speaker this year will be Dr. David Mahan. Dave is associate director of Au Sable Institute of Environmental Studies, director of the Great Lakes campus, and also registrar for the Institute. He will be speaking on the topic of “Practicing a Sense of Place."

There is no charge for the retreat, but reservations are required due to limited space. A lunch suitable for vegetarians will be provided. To register, contact Jerry Faulkner at (423) 697-2560 or John Rossing at .

SEPTEMBER 26 Tuesday
Film - "Kilowatt Ours: A Plan to Re-Energize America" - Chattanooga
Tuesday, September 26, 2006.
Chattanooga Theatre Center.
View and listen to a panel discussion about the movie - Kilowatt Ours, which deals with the consumption of coal for electricity production and how we can reduce energy consumption.
Information on how to save up to $600 on your electricity bill: killowattours.org.

SEPTEMBER 30 saturday
National Public Lands Day
Information: publiclandsday.org

SEPTEMBER 30 saturday
Nashville Forum on Christianity and the Environment - Nashville, TN
Saturday, September 30, 2006. 9am-3pm.
Scarritt-Bennett Center. (Fondren Hall), Vanderbilt University.
Information: vanderbilt.edu
Free registration: christianity-environmentform@vanderbuilt.edu

october 5 thursday
Film - "An Inconvenient Truth" - Chattanooga
Thursday, October 5, 2006. 6:30 pm.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga, 3224 Navajo Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37411.
The Chattanooga Chapter of Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light is turning the spotlight on global warming. People of all ages and faiths are invited to a free viewing of “An Inconvenient Truth,” the highly rated documentary movie starring Al Gore. Get your crash course on the science of global warming science and find out why action is a ‘moral imperative’. A brief discussion follows the movie.
Cost: Free. You may bring a snack to share.
Information: (423) 624-2985.
For a schedule of showtimes in theaters in other cities, visit climatecrisis.net.
Related resources: Eco-Justice Ministries has published a movie study guide for use by churches: Visit eco-justice.org.

october 7 SATURDAY
Tennessee River Rescue - Chattanooga
Saturday, October 7, 2006. 9am-1pm.
Join other volunteers to help clean up the river by removing trash from the banks before it becomes a threat to wildlife, drinking water, and navigation.
To volunteer: There are 13 zones along the Tennessee river and its tributaries where volunteers may check in to get their bags and gloves. Early arrivals will receive a T-shirt that is designed for this event, and groups may call in advance to reserve T-shirts.
Information: (423) 785-4177. tennesseeriverrescue.com.

OCTOBER 7 SATURDAY
Lula Lake Land Trust Open Gate Day - Lookout Mountain
Saturday, October 7, 2006. 9am - 5pm.
Information: (423) 821-2424; directions; website: lulalake.org.

october 7 SATURDAY
Southeast Tennessee Solar Tour - Chattanooga region
Saturday, October 7, 2006.
Information: ases.org

OCTOBER 8 SUNDAY
Putt for Pets Golf Tournament - Chattanooga
Sunday, October 8, 2006. Registration: begins 11:30am. Start 12:30pm.
Brainerd Golf Course. Cost: $60 per person.
Sponsors: Sigma Chi and McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center.
To sign up: (423) 875-5521 or sfsia@yahoo.com
Information: chattanoogan.com, mckameyanimalcenter.org

OCTOBER 10 Tuesday
EarthCare Monthly Planning Meeting
2nd Tuesday of each month. 6:30pm.
Chattanooga State (follow the signs or contact us for info.).
Information: Jerry Faulkner .

OCTOBER 11-12 WEDNESDAY AND thursday
PBS TV - Moyers on America "Is God Green?"
WTCI - Channel 45: Wednesday, October 11: 9-10pm.
Thursday, October 12: 2-3am and 5-6am.
GPB - Channel 18: Wednesday, October 11: 10-11pm.
To look up other station airdates, click here.
An examination of the evangelical community's growing embrace of environmentalism; and what it means to the wider society. Included: insights from Idaho pastor Tri Robinson, author of Saving God's Green Earth.
Information: pbs.org/moyers/

OCTOBER 14-15 SATURDAY thru Sunday
EARTHCARE Booth at Prater's Mill Country Fair - Dalton, GA
Saturday, October 14, 2006. 9am-6pm.
Sunday, October 15, 2006. 9am-5pm.
Admission: Adults $5. Children under 12 free.
Information: pratersmill.org

OCTOBER 14 SATURDAY
Paws in the Park - Chattanooga
Saturday, October 14, 2006. Registration - 9am. Dog walk - 10am.
Coolidge Park. Fundraiser for the Humane Educational Society.
Information: www.heschatt.com; (423) 624-5302 ext. 221; hesofficemanager@comcast.

OCTOBER 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.

OCTOBER 21 SATURDAY
Gorge Fest '06 - Chattanooga
Saturday, October 21, 2006. 11am-5pm at Baylor School.
Celebrating 25 years of protecting "Tennessee's Grand Canyon."
Cost: $5 per person. All proceeds go to support the mission of the Tennessee River Gorge Trust.
Information: trgt.org

OCTOBER 21 SATURDAY
Bird Populations and Migration at Reflection Riding - Chattanooga
Saturday, October 21, 2006. 10am.
Reflection Riding.
Free registration: (423) 821-9582 x200
Information: reflectionriding.org

OCTOBER 21-22 SATURDAY THRU SUNDAY
Cleveland Apple Festival - Cleveland, TN
Information: clevelandapplefestival.org.

OCTOBER 21 Saturday
Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Dalton, GA
3rd Saturday of each month. 7am - 2pm.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Old Dixie Landfill, Dalton.
Information: (706) 277-2545.

october 25 Wednesday
Interfaith Power & Light Guest Speaker: Rev. Sally Bingham - Chattanooga
Wednesday, October 25, 2006. 7pm.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga, 3224 Navajo Drive, Chattanooga, TN 37411.
The Chattanooga Chapter of the Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light invites people of all faiths to hear the Reverend Sally Bingham during her visit to Chattanooga on October 25. Reverend Bingham is one of the leading experts in the country working to connect faith environment and stewardship in faith communities. She states: "The faith community has led every major movement in the U.S. No institution is more suited to preach clean air, water, and land than the institution that professes a love of God and God's creation."
Cost: The event is free. Refreshments will be served.
Information: (423) 624-2985.

OCTOBER 28 SATURDAY
Family Nature Journaling - Chattanooga
Saturday, October 28, 2006. 10am-noon.
Chattanooga Nature Center.
Registration and Information: (423) 821-1160. chattanature.org.

OCTOBER 28 SATURDAY
Lula Lake Land Trust Open Gate Day - Lookout Mountain
Saturday, October 28, 2006. 9am - 5pm.
Information: (423) 821-2424; directions; website: lulalake.org.

OCTOBER 29 SUNDAY
Daylight Saving Time ends.
Sunday, October 29, 2006. 2am.
Fall back one hour.

november 4 Saturday
EARTHCARE's 10th Annual Fall Retreat
Saturday, November 4, 2006. 9:30am-2pm
Pot Point House at the Tennessee River Gorge Trust, TN
Directions: trgt.org
Guest speaker: Dr. David Mahan - “Practicing a Sense of Place."
Reservations and more information: See article above.

NOVEMBER 11 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.

EarthCare Monthly Planning Meeting
2nd Tuesday of each month. 6:30pm.
Chattanooga State (follow the signs or contact us for info.).
Information: Jerry Faulkner .

november 17 friday
Family Night Hike and Bonfire - Chattanooga
Saturday, November 17, 2006. 7pm.
Chattanooga Nature Center.
Registration and Information: (423) 821-1160. chattanature.org.

november 18 saturday
S.O.A.R. Demonstration - Chattanooga
Saturday, November 18, 2006. 1pm.
Chattanooga Nature Center.
John and Dale Stokes of Save Our American Raptors will be presenting an awesome raptor demonstration. Birds included will be: an eagle, vulture, hawks, owls, and American kestrel.
Registration and Information: (423) 821-1160. chattanature.org.

NOVEMBER 18 Saturday
Household Hazardous Waste Collection - Dalton, GA
3rd Saturday of each month. 7am - 2pm.
Household Hazardous Waste Facility, Old Dixie Landfill, Dalton.
Information: (706) 277-2545.

november 18 SATURDAY
Habitat for Turkey & Quail Presentation - Chattanooga
Saturday, November 18, 2006. 10am. Reflection Riding.
Free registration: (423) 821-9582 x200
Information: reflectionriding.org

Au Sable Institute January Session Courses - Michigan
Enrollment is now open for January session courses:

December 26 - January 17: Ecology of the Indian Tropics.
December 29 - January 17: Environmental Ethics; Winter Biology; Stream Ecology.

Buying florescent light bulbs is a simple way for individuals and families to begin addressing global warming

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star site, "If every household in the U.S. replaced one light bulb with an ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent light bulb (CFL), it would prevent enough pollution to equal removing one million cars from the road. CFLs provide high-quality light, smart technology, and design, requiring less energy while lasting longer than typical incandescent bulbs."

To learn more about global warming and what you can do, come hear Rev. Sally Bingham's talk, a part of her Interfaith Power & Light Tour. She will speak on global warming and other environmental stewardship issues on Sunday, September 29, 2006 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga. For more information, see the creation care calendar above.

How much energy does your church need to expend in order to protect the church organ?

Many churches use a lot of energy to condition the air in their sanctuary in order to protect their organ. The American Institute of Organbuilders has now put together a fact sheet detailing the environmental requirements for pipe organs. To download the fact sheet, click here.

This autumn there are many opportunities in the Chattanooga and Dalton areas to serve, learn about, and enjoy God's creation

This year we are privileged in the Chattanooga/Dalton area to have many opportunities to serve and to learn how we can care for God's creation. Be sure to check out the calendar above for for a list of these events:

Are you trying to help your children make wise and compassionate consumer choices and place less emphasis on commercialism in your family life? On their website, The New American Dream offers help. Along with information about how marketing affects children, the site offers tips and resources to assist parents in building a family life that is less focused on purchasing and more focused on having family fun together. For family resources, visit: http://www.newdream.org/kids/.

Teens will enjoy and be enlightened by the information presented on the New American Dream's I Buy Different website. This site teaches young people how their purchases impact the earth and offers various ways to approach conscious buying.

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.

To subscribe or unsubscribe to EarthCare Online Update, or change your email address, please email us at . Occasionally, compelling news items may warrant an additional Bulletin between publication of issues of the Online Update. Subscribers typically receive no more than one Bulletin per month. Current and back issues of the Online Update and News Bulletins are available on EarthCare's website www.earthcareonline.org. The Online Update is sent only to those who have registered for our email list. We do not rent, loan, or sell our list to anyone.

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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