Wednesday, May 29, 2019

2019 Annual Report of the Green Team



2019 Annual Report of the Green Team


The Green Team is an ad-hoc committee within the Church. Its purpose is to promote good environmental stewardship in the church's facilities, in our homes, and in the wider community. The committee works to foster action on the Climate Crisis and on Climate Justice. Our motto is “We can do this!” We meet once a month during the regular church year. We welcome new members and new ideas. Everyone is welcome to participate!

All-Church Retreat: We hosted an all-church retreat on nature, the environment and creation care. It took place on Oct 5-7 2018 at the AMC Highland Center at Crawford Notch, NH. All ages took part. We were both outdoors and in. Rev. Jim Antal, the outgoing Mass UCC President, was the special guest speaker. Because of the recent Columbia Gas crisis, the discussions and workshops took on added importance. From this came Mary Pritchard founding the group Working to Educate for Climate Action Now (WECAN).

The Green Bee: A new feature in the Weekly Buzz – these short pieces give tips about being "more green" with links to articles that go into more depth about environmental issues.  They have been ranging from 7 to 24 "clicks" when these links have been offered, an excellent response! (Nora is able to chart these.) 

Report on the Solar Panels - after 6 years in service, and with efficiency improvements at the church, the solar panels are now producing MORE than 100% of our annual electricity needs. You can find the report on the solar panels on the church website green team page: http://southchurch.com/green-team/

Divestment: The Green Team raised the issue of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and fossil fuel divestment for the church's investments.  At the request of Church Council a separate committee was established to facilitate a church-wide discussion on the topic.  The SRI committee hosted several open discussions, and published its findings on the church website here: http://southchurch.com/socially-responsible-investing/   As a result of this discussion the Trustees of the Trust Funds have begun shifting the church's investments in the direction of SRI (or Environmental, Social and Governance, as it is often now called).  A number of individual church members have also made changes in their investments as a result.

Green Picnic: Last June, we again helped make the all-church picnic a “green” event again by setting up and demonstrating how to compost food waste, paper products and recyclables, and how throw away trash can be greatly reduced, almost to zero. Our goal was to show that it’s easy to do this at your home once you know how.

Earth Day: In 2019 Earth Day fell on the day after Easter, so there was no specific Earth Day worship service. However, there was a church-wide ONCET meeting on April 27 in which church members discussed their visions for the environment and future generations in South Church's future ministries.  Also, Faith Forums hosted a several week study/discussion titled "The Climate Crisis - What Will We Do?"

Respectfully submitted,
Mark Bohrer, Candy Dann, Bill Schroeder, Susan Johnston, Steve Fink, Fran Fink, Janet Clarke, Graham Long, and Iric Rex.                                                 Contact us at greenteam@southchurch.com

Thursday, May 16, 2019

Green Team Meeting Notes 5/16/2019


Green Team Meeting Notes 5/16/2019

Attendees: Bill Schroeder, Graham Long, Steve Fink Mark Bohrer, Susan Johnston, Candy Dann (phone)
Away: Fran Fink, Janet Clarke, Tim Smith

Agenda/Notes
ACTION – Susan – call Offbeat Compost to see if they compost paper plates
ACTION – Susan – order compostable plates & napkins
ACTION – Candy – check with contact John Genetti at AHS about composting paper plates
ACTION – Steve – drop off compost bin & cups – either at church or with Susan
ACTION – Mark – contact 3 Giving Garden leads on proposal for Harvest Dinner in Fall
ACTION – Mark – after input received - send church calendar request this month to pastoral staff

1)      Picnic
o   Supplies
§  Paper plates – we need 500 – Susan found a source online - sturdy
§  Cups – re-usable plastic cups - Finks will drop off & coordinate with Susan
§  Bowls –  Candy will drop off bowls
§  Silverware – use church silver & wash
§  Green barrel – Finks will drop off & coordinate with Susan
o   Signs
§  Candy will email last year’s
o   Compost – Roots Compost is now Offbeat Compost – Susan to investigate to have them pickup

2)      Church Year Planning – We need to send input on proposed/possible dates
o   Harvest Dinner
§  Plan to celebrate the Giving Garden, sharing what they did, how they did it.
·         Mark – will contact Emily, Mark A, Fran to suggest us supporting them and ask about their preferences / idease on possible dates mid-September through mid-October
o   Fall Sunday Service – Social Justice and Climate Change
§  The Green Team would like
§  This is an opportunity to have the youth be involved
§  Can this be a community event
o   Earth Day Sunday (50th year of Earth Day)
§  Any Sunday April 19 through mid-May
·         Green Team believes this is important
·         Green team is open to supporting pastoral staff and contributing in any way we can
·         Can the service become a community event?
o   What about asking for the monthly contribution go to some local green group?

3)      Green Team Annual Report – Mark will draft and send out

4)      Discussion on possible microgrid plans in Andover

Parking Lot - Not discussed
5)      Renewable/Electric options for church
-          Long-term Plan to get the church off gas completely

6)      SC Green Team website
-          Lots more information there now. Anything more needed?