Photo, left: A patchwork quilt used as a burial shroud for a funeral conducted by Benton Mennonite Church, Benton, Ind. A “natural burial,” usually means…
Read moreNORTH OF THE BORDER
The Vulture: An Inspiration for our Economy
The vulture is under-appreciated. We would all be better off if this noble creature had more of our respect. Better yet, we should make our native turkey vulture the inspiration for our economy and put it on our coins as a symbol of hope.
Churches Update March 2021
Congregations Send Tree Bouquets, Recycle Electronics and Dig into Soil Science Here are a few things moving in our network: Participants at Ambler Mennonite Church,…
Read moreSmucker Engages in Climate and Community, Care
By Olivia Smucker For Greg Smucker, manager of Snyder Paints & Wallpaper, people and the planet are both high priorities. Whether helping neighbors recycle metal…
Read moreECO-CHALLENGES
Reduce your carbon “pawprint.” Our four-legged furry friends’ consumption of meat is costly in terms of climate change. The production of one kilogram of beef results in 1,000 kilograms of CO2 entering the atmosphere. The annual eating patterns of dogs and cats in the U.S. have the same impact as driving 13.6 million cars for a year.
Editor’s note: An article in Science Daily suggests avoiding premium pet foods that pamper animals with cuts of meat that could be used to feed humans. It also suggests choosing vegetarian pets. Before adding a dog or cat to the family, consider what you hope to gain from the animal and whether these needs can be met in a different way.
Reuse, recycle or compost 90% of household garbage: The Environmental Protection Agency (US) sponsors a Gameday Recycling Challenge for universities aiming to make football games zero waste events. Schools that divert 90% or more of waste from a football game are named on a Zero Waste Wall of Fame. Can we take this as a personal challenge? Does your household reuse, recycle or compost 90% of its garbage?
These challenges are based on tips by Carole Suderman, Boulder Mennonite Church, Boulder, Colo. Carole has been offering her congregations challenges like these for the past 20 years. Tips are adapted for a broader audience.
For in [Christ] all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Colossians 1:19 - 20