EarthCare Online Update - November/December 2006

EarthCare Online Update NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2006

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

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

	For Reflection God with Us (John 1:14, Revelation 21:3-4)
	EarthCare News EarthCare Wishes You and Your Family a Very Merry Christmas!
	Calendar Creation Care and Nature Events
	Creation Care at Home Resources for a Peaceful Advent and Christmas
	Creation Care at Church Churches: Havens of Prayer and Peace during Advent and Christmas
	Creation Care in Our Community and World Joy to the World!
	For Kids Simpler Holidays with Children

For EarthCare Online Update subscription information, please click here.

For Reflection

God with Us

And the Word became flesh and lived among us,
and we have seen his glory,
the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:14, NRSV)

“See, the home of God is among mortals.

He will dwell with them as their God;

they will be his peoples,

and God himself will be with them;

he will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
(Revelation 21:3-4, NRSV)

At Christmas, we celebrate the coming of God into our creaturely world in Jesus Christ. And in many churches, the season of Advent (the weeks leading up to Christmas) is a time to prepare not only for the coming of Christ at Christmas but also for his return in glory at the end of time.

Both of these seasons of special reflection draw our attention to the physical world as the place where God meets us. The message of Advent and Christmas is that our redemption occurs when God comes to join us on earth, not when we are removed from it.

At Christmas we proclaim the birth of Emmanuel, God-With-Us. It’s a proclamation that has profound ecological implications. Just as Genesis tells us that God was pleased with his creation, the Christmas gospel tells us that God loves his creation enough to choose to live in it, to become part of it. The created world can be the bearer of the divine, just as Mary bore the baby Jesus and the manger cradled him.

Our faith in Christ does not draw our hearts and minds away from the world around us—from the seas and sky, the mountains and trees, the birds and animals and fish. Instead, our love for the Word made flesh draws us into deep communion with him when we also love the world in which he came to live.

Many of our favorite songs and symbols of Christmas reinforce the message that the birth of Christ brings godly joy to all of creation: “Let heav’n and nature sing…” “The stars in the sky looked down where he lay…” Evergreen trees, shining stars, Magi on camels, barnyard animals in the stable at Bethlehem.

During Advent and Christmas we have a special time for spiritual reflection, soul-searching, and celebrating the things that are really worth celebrating (if we can separate them out from the many noisy distractions of the season). In the coming weeks, listen to the message of the gospel that God comes down from heaven to bless the whole earth with his presence.

--by John Rossing

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	EarthCare News
	EarthCare Wishes You and Your Family a Very Merry Christmas!
	A big "Thank You" for all that you, your families and churches have done this year to care for God's creation. Through your efforts you have honored our Lord and made our world a better place. We pray that God will richly bless you and give you strength and hope during this season and in the coming year. Wishes for a Peaceful Christmas and a New Year full of joy!
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	Calendar
	Creation Care and Nature Events
	Chattanooga Nature Center Chattanooga Hiking Club Crabtree Farms Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont Tennessee Aquarium
	NOVEMBER 23 THURSDAY Thanksgiving Day Resources: textweek.com NOVEMBER 30 thursday Crabtree Farms Winter Artisan Open House - Chattanooga Thursday, November 30, 2006. 4-7pm. Crabtree Farms. 1000 E. 30th St. This year during Crabtree Farms' open house, several local artists will offer handmade gifts for sale. There will be hands-on activities for children, as well as yummy snacks and hot cider. More information: crabtreefarms.org. DECEMBER 2 SATURDAY Lula Lake Land Trust Open Gate Day - Lookout Mountain Saturday, December 2, 2006. 9am - 5pm. Information: (423) 821-2424; directions; website: lulalake.org. DECEMBER 2 saturday Storytelling "Tea and Cookies and Other Threatened Species" - Chattanooga Saturday, December 2, 2006. 2pm. Chattanooga Nature Center. Come hear local storyteller Jim Pfitzer as he previews stories from his upcoming CD, “Tea and Cookies and Other Threatened Species.” Jim grew up exploring the wilds around Chattanooga and dreaming of the wilds beyond. During this program, Jim will take us beyond to meet some of the “threatened species” he has encountered. Registration and Information: (423) 821-1160. chattanature.org. DECEMBER 2 SATURDAY Workshops: Evergreen Wreath Making / Evergreen Centerpiece and Swag Making - Chattanooga Saturday, December 2, 2006. 10am-12pm / 1-3pm. Crabtree Farms. 1000 E. 30th St. Cost: $20 per person per workshop. Registration: Call 423/493-9155 x10, or email. Information: crabtreefarms.org. DECEMBER 3 sunday First Sunday of Advent Resources: textweek.com, simpleliving.org DECEMBER 6 WEDNESDAY North Carolina Energy Star Conference - Raleigh, NC Wednesday, December 6, 2006. Energy/green building conference for building professionals. Information: tec.apstate.edu. DECEMBER 7 thursday Creating Herbal Gifts for the Holidays - Soddy Daisy, TN Thursday, December 7, 2006. 6-8pm. Possum Creek Herb Farm. 528 Nature Trail. Possum Creek will demonstrate several herbal gift ideas that you can make for the holidays. Everyone takes home goodies. Registration and Information: Reservations are required. Cost - $25.00. To register, contact Heather (423) 756-7721 by Saturday, December 2. Information: possumcreekherb.com. decEMber 9 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 12 tUESDAY EarthCare Monthly Meeting and Christmas Get-Together Planning meeting - 2nd Tuesday of each month. 6:30pm. Information: . decEMber 14 thursday Interfaith Power & Light Monthly Meeting 2nd Thursday of each month. 6:30pm socializing. 7pm meeting. Location information: . DECEMBER 16 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. december 25 monday Christmas Day Resources: Textweek.com: Christmas Eve/Day, Christmas Season. december - january 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. Information: ausable.org. JANUARY 6 SATURDAY Epiphany Resources: textweek.com JANUARY 9 Tuesday EarthCare Monthly Planning Meeting 2nd Tuesday of each month. 6:30pm. Chattanooga State (follow the signs or contact us for info.). Information: . JANUARY 11 thursday Interfaith Power & Light Monthly Meeting 2nd Thursday of each month. 6:30pm socializing. 7pm meeting. Location information: . JANUARY 13-21 Saturday - sunday Wilderness Wildlife Week - Pigeon Forge, TN Saturday - Sunday, January 13-21, 2007. Information: mypigeonforge.com january 13 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 20 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.

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Creation Care at Home

Resources for a Peaceful Advent and Christmas

If you are looking for some ideas to help you focus on the true meaning of the Advent and Christmas seasons, several organizations offer online resources, as well as print resources. You will find ideas for spiritual reflection, simplifying, and "greening" your celebrations.

Sources for Advent Devotions, Calendars, and Other Resources:

Websites

Advent Devotions
By Goshen College.
Online daily devotions.
AdventDevotions.net
By Lutheran Hour Ministries.
Downloadable sound and print devotions. Bulletin inserts.
Alternatives for Simple Living
Online tips and a catalog of print resources for creating simpler, more environmentally-conscious celebrations.
Celebrating Advent
By CatholicMom.com.
Links to Advent and Christmas devotions.

EarthCare Online Update - December 2005
Christmas tree tips and links to fair trade organizations.
Remembering the Past, Anticipating the Future (.pdf)
By North American Baptist Seminary. Weekly Advent devotions.
Ways to Keep Christ in Christmas
By About.com. Provides links to tips, Bible verses, and devotional resources.

Christian bookstores

Your local Christian bookstore
Denominational-affiliated bookstores
Other online stores - Christian Book Distributors, Cokesbury

General bookstores and online stores

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Creation Care at Church

Churches: Havens of Prayer and Peace During Advent and Christmas

Often during Advent and Christmas people want to simplify their holiday celebrations and focus more on spiritual matters.

This year many individuals and families are in the processing of adjusting their Advent and Christmas traditions so that their celebrations are more spiritually meaningful. This process of simplifying and adopting new ways of doing things often can be challenging. Also, the holiday season seems to come with some unique pressures, such as increased family and church responsibilities, societal expectations, or personal longing to be with absent family members. During this time and during the year, there are several ways the church can help.

Churches can be vital forces for teaching people how to approach Advent and Christmas with purpose and peace.

Creation care is something that we want to do all year long, including the holidays. To prepare for the special seasons of the year, churches can provide practical teaching to help people develop more spiritually rich traditions. Such teaching might include examination of the roles that prayer, planning, practice, persistence, and patience can have in implementing positive change.

Prayer.
Churches can guide parishioners to seek God's guidance, strength, and provision when beginning to examine their holiday traditions.

Planning.
Churches can provide educational materials and study groups for individuals wanting to learn and to plan for the coming year.
(For links to study materials, see Resources for a Peaceful Advent and Christmas.)

Practice, Persistence, and Patience.
Churches can find creative ways to encourage those who are in the midst of change, and then celebrate their successes.

During the Advent and Christmas seasons, churches can be places of support ― havens of prayer, reflection, and spiritual respite.

During the holidays, people often need a quiet place where they can escape the hustle and bustle and experience God's strength and peace. Even though churches may not have provided teaching programs earlier in the year, they can still be an encouragement to those who want to approach Advent and Christmas differently by simply inviting them to quiet prayer.

There are several things churches can do to invite people to Advent and Christmas Prayer.

Following are some ideas for ways that churches might provide encouragement to their communities this season.

Provide daily Advent readings and prayers in the church bulletin and on the church's website.

Schedule special Holy Communion and/or prayer and Bible reading times at the church.

Open the church for those who want to drop in and pray, or create a prayer area outside the church in a well-lit, safe area.

Create an intimate prayer space that will be welcoming and comfortable for those who are unfamiliar with the church. Include good welcome and directional signage.

In a designated prayer area, provide handouts with the Christmas story, daily Advent/Christmas readings, and suggestions for simpler, greener celebrations.

Provide cards and a slotted box for people to indicate if they would like the church to pray for particular needs, would like to receive a visit from someone, or would like to share a favorite holiday tradition.

Follow up with people regarding the needs that they have expressed, and check in with those visitors who have given the church their address.

After Christmas, give people in the church an opportunity to share what this experience has meant to them.

This Christmas may we find space to rest, learn, reflect, and give thanks to our Lord who came to earth to bring life to all.

John 1:1-4 NRSV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people.

Matthew 11:28-29, NRSV
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

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Creation Care in Our Community and World

Joy to the World!

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

Words: Isaac Watts.
Music: Antioch, arranged by Lowell Mason.

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For Kids

Simpler Holidays with Children

The Center for the New American Dream's website: simplifytheholidays.org offers tips for a more a meaningful, environmentally respectful holiday season. Many of the traditions and gift ideas may be done as a family. You may want to implement some ideas this year, and others you may want to think about for the coming year. Following are some pages of interest:

Inexpensive, Creative and Eco-friendly Gift Ideas

Holiday Gift Ideas from Website Visitors

Four Steps to a More Meaningful, Less Commercialized Holiday — with Kids, by Marie Sherlock

For ideas for creating family traditions, see Resources for a Peaceful Advent and Christmas above.

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	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/web 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. 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. We trust that before readers embrace new beliefs or practices, they will examine them in context of the teachings of the Bible and God's personal call in their lives. SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE To subscribe or unsubscribe to EarthCare Online Update, or change your email address, please email us at . The Update is sent only to those who have registered for our email list. We do not rent, loan, or sell our list to anyone. Occasionally, compelling news items may warrant an additional News 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 Update and News Bulletins are available on EarthCare's website www.earthcareonline.org. 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. PO Box 23291 Chattanooga, TN 37422 www.earthcareonline.org

	Creation Care at Church
	Churches: Havens of Prayer and Peace During Advent and Christmas
	Often during Advent and Christmas people want to simplify their holiday celebrations and focus more on spiritual matters. This year many individuals and families are in the processing of adjusting their Advent and Christmas traditions so that their celebrations are more spiritually meaningful. This process of simplifying and adopting new ways of doing things often can be challenging. Also, the holiday season seems to come with some unique pressures, such as increased family and church responsibilities, societal expectations, or personal longing to be with absent family members. During this time and during the year, there are several ways the church can help. Churches can be vital forces for teaching people how to approach Advent and Christmas with purpose and peace. Creation care is something that we want to do all year long, including the holidays. To prepare for the special seasons of the year, churches can provide practical teaching to help people develop more spiritually rich traditions. Such teaching might include examination of the roles that prayer, planning, practice, persistence, and patience can have in implementing positive change. Prayer. Churches can guide parishioners to seek God's guidance, strength, and provision when beginning to examine their holiday traditions. Planning. Churches can provide educational materials and study groups for individuals wanting to learn and to plan for the coming year. (For links to study materials, see Resources for a Peaceful Advent and Christmas.) Practice, Persistence, and Patience. Churches can find creative ways to encourage those who are in the midst of change, and then celebrate their successes. During the Advent and Christmas seasons, churches can be places of support ― havens of prayer, reflection, and spiritual respite. During the holidays, people often need a quiet place where they can escape the hustle and bustle and experience God's strength and peace. Even though churches may not have provided teaching programs earlier in the year, they can still be an encouragement to those who want to approach Advent and Christmas differently by simply inviting them to quiet prayer. There are several things churches can do to invite people to Advent and Christmas Prayer. Following are some ideas for ways that churches might provide encouragement to their communities this season. Provide daily Advent readings and prayers in the church bulletin and on the church's website. Schedule special Holy Communion and/or prayer and Bible reading times at the church. Open the church for those who want to drop in and pray, or create a prayer area outside the church in a well-lit, safe area. Create an intimate prayer space that will be welcoming and comfortable for those who are unfamiliar with the church. Include good welcome and directional signage. In a designated prayer area, provide handouts with the Christmas story, daily Advent/Christmas readings, and suggestions for simpler, greener celebrations. Provide cards and a slotted box for people to indicate if they would like the church to pray for particular needs, would like to receive a visit from someone, or would like to share a favorite holiday tradition. Follow up with people regarding the needs that they have expressed, and check in with those visitors who have given the church their address. After Christmas, give people in the church an opportunity to share what this experience has meant to them. This Christmas may we find space to rest, learn, reflect, and give thanks to our Lord who came to earth to bring life to all. John 1:1-4 NRSV In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. Matthew 11:28-29, NRSV “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."
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	Creation Care in Our Community and World
	Joy to the World!
	Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy. No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love, And wonders, wonders, of His love. Words: Isaac Watts. Music: Antioch, arranged by Lowell Mason.
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	For Kids
	Simpler Holidays with Children
	The Center for the New American Dream's website: simplifytheholidays.org offers tips for a more a meaningful, environmentally respectful holiday season. Many of the traditions and gift ideas may be done as a family. You may want to implement some ideas this year, and others you may want to think about for the coming year. Following are some pages of interest: Inexpensive, Creative and Eco-friendly Gift Ideas Holiday Gift Ideas from Website Visitors Four Steps to a More Meaningful, Less Commercialized Holiday — with Kids, by Marie Sherlock For ideas for creating family traditions, see Resources for a Peaceful Advent and Christmas above.
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