At St Peter's, a group of us has formed an "eco-team."  For our first year, we are considering our relationship to food through the lenses of sustainability and social justice.  Many of us have committed to eating more local foods, composting our food waste (at home, at church, and in some of our workplaces), and learning about the global and local context of hunger.  We have come to a deeper appreciation for how interrelated our local actions are with the environmental health of this earth.    We are planning for a community garden in spring, and are working on ideas to help programs that feed food-insecure members of our community access local organic produce. 

Another exciting aspect of the program is transmitting nearly-forgotten skills in food selection, preparation, and storage from more experienced parishioners to young people.  We take turns preparing simple and delicious meals for the meetings from local ingredients.  In the process, we have created positive peer norms that support environmentally-friendly lifestyle changes and focus on a grace-filled transformation of our attitudes toward our individual impact upon the environment.  There is a walking gratitude living into respectful use of God's creation. (mp)

Tamara, St. Peter's, Bennington (VT)

Have you made a change towards conservation in your home? At your church? Have you helped convince someone else to take action to protect the earth (that’s advocacy you know!)? Tell us your story, include photos or web videos if you have them and we’ll share your ideas and experiences with the EPPN. Just email your idea, story, or experience to eppn@episcopalchurch.org.