Martin Luther, “God is wholly present in all creation, in every corner, behind you and before you.” (LW 51:43) ​

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The Green Team’s purpose is to “raise awareness of and advocate for the care of creation”. Our mission is to support and encourage creation care ministries, raise awareness, model creation care advocacy consistent with ELCA teachings in our faith communities and public life. We are encouraged by the LAMPa and ELCA priorities which support this ministry effort in PA and nationally.  

The Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod authorized the formation of a group of volunteers to focus efforts on what it means to be good stewards of God's Creation.  This group is known as the NWPA Synod Green Team.

NWPA Synod Assembly Approves Memorial  for “Just Transition” to Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions​

On June 10, the 2022 NWPA Synod Assembly approved a green “memorial” to be transmitted to the upcoming Churchwide Assembly to be held in Columbus, Ohio in August of 2022.  This memorial lays out a plan for ELCA and its units to undertake actions over the course of the next 30 years to encourage the  U.S. transition to a greatly reduced production of greenhouse gas emissions (GGE, such as carbon dioxide, among others).  These greenhouse gases are products of fossil fuel combustion and other processes. NWPA is just one of many ELCA synods that have considered similar greenhouse gas memorials this year for consideration by the Churchwide Assembly.  If the Churchwide Assembly passes this resolution, the ELCA Churchwide Council would consider the actions proposed by the memorial and take appropriate actions.- TO READ FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE

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BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF CREATION

Helping to be good stewards of creation might just provide a bountiful yield for your home gardening.  We have had some Green Team inquiries about composting so we are sharing some helpful information here about an upcoming April webinar:

Home composting can turn your garden trash into garden cash (black gold). Home Composting- Natures Recycler will provide an overview of the benefits and the simple steps of home composting. Attendees will learn the amazing natural processes that will turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into compost that can be used to improve your ornamental and vegetable garden. Best practices for home composting will be presented.
https://extension.psu.edu/home-composting-natures-recycler

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We are all concerned about water and air quality as well as how we can reuse, reduce, and recycle. Green Team members work with staff members from LAMPa, (Lutheran Advocacy Ministry in Pennsylvania, the state public policy office of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) who serves the congregations, synods, and Lutheran institutions in Pennsylvania, providing resources, training, and information in the work of being a public church. We also work with Lutherans Restoring Creation, a grassroots movement promoting care for creation in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. These advocacy groups are active on social media and we encourage others to become aware of and involved in the ministry of these two groups.  Our volunteers on the Green Team have diverse gifts - some are speakers, some offer outings, some are writers, others are great at networking and developing educational programs and materials - but all are passionate about caring for what God has entrusted to us and we want to work with you.

To learn more about the Northwest PA Synod’s Green Team, check out our Green Corner and Eco-Friendly Products pages on the Synod website and Facebook page and watch for our display table at upcoming events. 

If you would like to be on our email list or would like more information about the NWPA Synod’s Green Team, contact our facilitator Dennis Groce (nwpasynodgreenteam@gmail.com) with your name and email address.