By Crys Zinkiewicz
I was excited. Off to the Chicago area for my EarthKeepers training, I wondered why Euclid Avenue UMC in the suburb of Oak Park had been chosen. As I approached the building, I got my first inkling. The usual church sign paled in the presence of the large banner proclaiming “Jesus Was Radically Inclusive.” Two other smaller signs joined the chorus: “Hate Has No Home Here” and “This Congregation Is Powered by Solar, Geothermal, and God’s Love.”
No conference is complete without the “housekeeping” instructions of where the restrooms are. Even there, the care for God’s creation was evident. The toilet paper was wrapped in green paper—not plastic—and declared that the paper was made “using environmentally and socially responsible processes.” The bottom line on the package stated, “Atlas Tissue asks that you think green and recycle this wrapper.”
The kitchen and dining room had barrels that taught, reminded, and made possible thoughtful choices: RECYCLE, COMPOST, or LANDFILL. The clear wording and graphics on each made it easy to do the right thing.
Hallway bulletin board notices about Food Waste Awareness Week clearly showed that the congregation is also a catalyst in the community for green living.
With the consistency of messaging—from bike racks and solar panels to rain gardens and recycling bins to toilet paper and community advocacy—the church building speaks loud and clear for caring for God’s creation. I was excited!