Each of us is one. Not "just" one, but one. One, as in our existence makes a difference. Together we may be mighty, but even so, one makes a difference.
Many of us forget this.
Many also forget that we are meant to participate in and with the humans, animals, plants, water, air and ground around us...with respect. The earth is one. We can fool ourselves into thinking that we can be the masters, but the rules of nature were formed long before us and will endure long after.
We are one - video
Thursday, July 24, 2014
Friday, June 20, 2014
What did we learn? What do we want to learn more about? What do we want to act upon?
On the final Sunday of this pilot curriculum we brainstormed together what we learned from this creation care Sunday School Class, what we want to learn more about and what do we want to act upon!
Sunday, May 18, 2014
Accountable Communities
This topic is quite challenging. Our desire for independence is strong. Here are some of the topics we covered today.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Productive Guilt
In today's leadership guide for session 10 exists this questions about living a simple lifestyle.
How does guilt and fear relate to simple living? Try sharing your ideas for how to live simply or sustainably and you'll quickly see. The natural response is to defend and rationalize current practices, invalidate the idea through criticism or minimize the importance of the idea.
What steps can you take, small as you think it might be, to live more simply? What ideas do you think you could implement, in the next hour?
If someone shares an idea with you, check your first reaction or instinct. Are you allowing the person to share without criticism? Do you feel defensive, perhaps indignant or even a hint of shame?
Learning how to discuss simple living is almost as important, and difficult, as finding ways to live simply. Give yourself the grace to try simpler ways so you can do the same for others.
- How can we discuss lifestyle issues in ways that inspire change rather than unproductive guilt?
Commonly shared is the influence of guilt and fear on our lives. It can nudge us to make changes for the better or can shut down dialogue and action. Guilt is closely associated with shame and shame is not an elegant feeling. It takes a great deal of courage to share openly when shame is involved.
Fear is terribly effective at changing behavior, stopping conversation and diverting all energies since it triggers our built-in flight or fight response.
Fear is terribly effective at changing behavior, stopping conversation and diverting all energies since it triggers our built-in flight or fight response.
How does guilt and fear relate to simple living? Try sharing your ideas for how to live simply or sustainably and you'll quickly see. The natural response is to defend and rationalize current practices, invalidate the idea through criticism or minimize the importance of the idea.
What steps can you take, small as you think it might be, to live more simply? What ideas do you think you could implement, in the next hour?
If someone shares an idea with you, check your first reaction or instinct. Are you allowing the person to share without criticism? Do you feel defensive, perhaps indignant or even a hint of shame?
Learning how to discuss simple living is almost as important, and difficult, as finding ways to live simply. Give yourself the grace to try simpler ways so you can do the same for others.
Sunday, May 4, 2014
Simple Living
This week's session is on choosing a simple lifestyle.
Ironically, we tend to complicate this topic. When we start to consider what simple living means, looking inward first tends to be rather disturbing. We realize how each choice we make is so easily influenced by everything that isn't God-centered.
Taking small steps in the right direction is how any epic journey begins. So..
Ironically, we tend to complicate this topic. When we start to consider what simple living means, looking inward first tends to be rather disturbing. We realize how each choice we make is so easily influenced by everything that isn't God-centered.
Taking small steps in the right direction is how any epic journey begins. So..
- When you buy
- How will you share it with others?
- What do you really need? Can you borrow it or lend it?
- What does it really cost? Carbon footprint, relationships, time to maintain, storage space, and...oh right financially
- How long will it last?
- When you use
- What is the shortest duration you can use it?
- Do you really need to use it?
Here's an interesting video on getting stuff
Story of stuff
TASK
Try the voluntary Fuel Tax group idea. Assume you have had to pay $10 per gallon of gas. Save the difference you actually pay. Put it in a jar and at the end of the month, quarter or year donate the money to an organization like the Farmer's Market or Maple City Coop who work towards sustainable, local foods.
TASK
Try the voluntary Fuel Tax group idea. Assume you have had to pay $10 per gallon of gas. Save the difference you actually pay. Put it in a jar and at the end of the month, quarter or year donate the money to an organization like the Farmer's Market or Maple City Coop who work towards sustainable, local foods.
Sunday, April 13, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Food Waste Links
Wow. This will make you think about how not to waste food.
Tristram Stuart's TedTalk "The global food waste scandal"
Tristram Stuart's TedTalk "The global food waste scandal"
Lindsay Wilson - "Global food waste explained (with five tomatoes)" and his Shrink That Footprint website.
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