Sunday Evening Conversations on Creation Continue…
How Long Will Our Aquifers Last?
Sunday, May 22, 6:00 p.m., online
Groundwater is, as famously quoted by the Texas Supreme Court in 1904, “secret, occult, and concealed.” Sometimes referred to as “hidden water,” it is out of sight and, therefore, unfortunately, out of mind. However, groundwater comprises 98.7 percent of all the fresh, unfrozen water on Earth. About 40 percent of all surface-water flows in the United States are sourced from innumerable seeps and springs that discharge groundwater into streams and rivers. Groundwater supports 26 percent of the human use of water with 70 percent of it watering crops. As drier areas become drier and droughts increase everywhere, groundwater is expected to make up the difference. Unfortunately, much of the groundwater used across the planet is produced unsustainably. This unsustainable use affects flows to springs, streams, rivers, wetlands, and estuaries that support ecologies as well as human needs. In some cases, such as in the Houston area, groundwater production has caused the land to sink, increasing flooding. In this presentation, Professor Mace will present what he has learned about groundwater sustainability through a report he published late last year title “Five Gallons in a Ten-Gallon Hat: Groundwater Sustainability in Texas” and in a forthcoming book titled “Groundwater Sustainability: Its Birth, Development, and Application.” Listeners will have a better understanding of what groundwater sustainability is, how Texas and the greater Houston area is doing with sustainable groundwater management, and what people can do to achieve groundwater sustainability. Time for interactive discussion with the speaker will be provided. Please register for this talk. Contact Lisa Brenskelle with any questions.
Living the Change Weekly Discussion Group
Tuesdays Thru May 17, 6 p.m., online
Scientists tell us that we must reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030. That may seem like a very high hurdle. But, it translates to only a 5%/year reduction. Participants in this course will leave with a plan for at least their first 5% reduction, and knowledge of how to find the other 40%. Many participants have found easy, cost-effective reductions of more than 20%. The course was developed in response to the Walk on Earth Gently multifaith statement. Inspired by religious teachings to turn away from consumerism & to seek balanced relationships with all people and the planet, Walk on Earth Gently invites you into a journey of Living the Change that the world needs. This program focuses on making personal lifestyle changes in three areas: transportation, energy, and food. Join us in accepting the Walk on Earth Gently invitation and committing to a sustainable lifestyle, via a weekly online discussion group. Can’t make it every week? Join us as you are able. Are you ready to commit to a more sustainable lifestyle? Then join us on this journey to Living the Change by registering. For more information, please contact Lisa Brenskelle
April 26, May 3 & May 10: Food, weeks 1, 2 & 3
May 17: Food, week 4 & closing
Guided Firefly Hike & Prayer with Eyes Wide Open
Friday, May 13, 7:15 p.m.
Armand Bayou Nature Center, 8500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena
You are invited to join a private two-hour guided firefly hike and practice of a spiritual discipline, prayer with eyes wide open. Come enjoy the sights and sounds of the prairie, forest, and bayou at night, and experience the mating dance of fireflies, as a spiritual experience! You’ll also learn about fireflies, which are truly amazing creatures! The hike is suitable for kids 6+. Instruction and discussion of prayer with eyes wide open begins 7:15 p.m., followed by check-in at the center at 7:30 p.m., and the hike at 7:45 p.m., during which you can practice prayer with eyes wide open, a deeply meaningful way to experience nature. Space for these outings is very limited. Due to the limited group size, you must sign up in advance to participate. Contact Lisa Brenskelle with any questions.
Creation Care Education in 2021
A host of creation care education took place in 2021, much of which was recorded. Below is a list of recorded presentations, in alphabetical order, covering a wide range of topics. Contact Lisa Brenskelle for copies of recordings of these talks.
- 100 Climate Solutions for Houses of Worship & Their Members
- A Climate Action Plan for Faith Communities & People of Faith
- A Healthy Planet is a Prerequisite for Healthy People
- A Resilient Future for All Rests on Prioritizing the Most Vulnerable
- Actions Faith Communities Can Take to Reduce Pollution & Pollution-Related
- Health Effects
- Being Healthy in a Toxifying World
- Clean Energy: A Healthy, Affordable Solution for Texas
- Climate Change, Changing Disasters
- Climate Change Solutions Across Scales – from Personal Action to Global
- Transformation on Six Fronts
- COVID, the Environment & Justice: A Faith Panel Discussion
- Faith & Resilience: Spiritual Hubs
- Going Renewable at Houses of Worship
- Health Effects associated with Climate Change
- Houston’s Transition to a Low Carbon Future
- Hurricane & Flood Safety
- Science of Climate Change: Causes & Direct Effects
- The Causes & Effects of a Healthy Galveston Bay
- The Federal Policy Landscape for Climate Mitigation & Adaptation
- The Houston Climate Action Plan & Faith Communities
- Why Insects Matter
GreenFaith Certification Achieved!!
In 2017, the Creation Care Team received GreenFaith certification for CTK. To achieve certification, the team had to fulfill requirements for creation-focused worship services, religious education on creation for all ages, interfaith & multi-generational creation-focused activities, environmental justice education & interactions with local environmental justice leaders, and communications about our activities. In addition to these requirements, we also had to complete 25 actions or awareness building activities in the areas of energy, transportation, food, water, waste, toxins and grounds. Work to achieve GreenFaith certification began in 2013, two years after CTK entered into covenant with Lutherans Restoring Creation and the Creation Care Team was formed. Participation in GreenFaith built the foundation for a number of creation-focused activities now routinely offered by the CTK Creation Care Team for the congregation, in all areas originally required for GreenFaith certification. We continue to use what we learned during the certification process to guide our ongoing efforts to incorporate care for creation into the full life and mission of CTK, in worship, education, discipleship, advocacy/public ministry, and stewardship of building & ground