Water photo

For the past four years I have taken photos of public drinking water access. These might not be the best ones to start off with, but they are my most recent.

Public drinking water is very important. United Methodist Women believe that water is a human right. Not a commodity to by bought and sold.

Usually when I am out and about I will take a drink at a public fountain, not because I am thirsty, but because I want to see if the fountain works. And to exercise what I believe is a right.

Bulk shopping and plastic bags

I am usually aware of packaging as I am shopping. My favorite place to shop is Whole Foods Co-op so I can get natural and/or organic food and purchase in bulk. It does bother me that I use a lot of plastic bags. I have been trying to save them and reuse them. Washing them is kinda a hassle. Right now I have a whole bunch of used plastic bags.

I save them to pick up Prof. Cricket's dog doo. I don't know if this is a good reuse or not because I don't like the fact that it takes forever for these bags to break down (decompose). Picking up dog doo is important though. If we don't pick it up it all goes into our water supply. Here in Duluth that would be Lake Superior. So I am protecting the lake when I pick it up, even if it is being preserved in the plastic bag which ends up in a landfill.

I have started to use the little brown paper bags for my dry bulk goods, especially treats like nuts, chocolate drops and my peanut butter covered pretzels.

Recently I purchased BYO* Bags. They are a cloth mesh. The tag line is “*Bring Your Own. An Earth Friendly Alternative to plastic produce bags.”

I keep forgetting to put them in my car or purse to try them out.

Check out their website: www.coohatz.biz

UMW starts the Countdown to Copenhagen: Time to ensure enough for all

By Naomi Yaeger

UMW Green Team Dakotas Rep

Greetings! The UMW Green Team encourages you to get involved in environmental issues. As a Green Team representative, I attended Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C. this March. The theme year was “Enough for All Creation”. After the event we all spoke to our congresspeople and senators on Capital Hill.

Please study the issues and encourage President Obama to attend the Copenhagen, Denmark summit with other world leaders this December. UMW is working with the National Council of Churches and Church World Service in a postcard campaign. I have 1,000 of these postcards and would be happy to send you some. It is important that our president personally attend this event to show that the U.S. is committed to the environment. Caring about the environment is not just about trees and exotic animals. It is about caring for God’s children. The world’s poorest people are disproportionately affected by environmental derogation. Diseases and poverty go hand-in-hand with environmental racism. In our own country our poorest people have the most environmentally caused illnesses and diseases.

Please visit the websites www.churchworldservice.org and www.nccecojustice.org

You may join an environmental Internet group or learn more about UMW at www.umwonline.org.

Also please read your June issue of “Response”, I wrote an article on page 22 titled, “Loving God, people and the earth”. The article profiles other Green Team members and what they are doing within their districts. The Rev. Pat Watkins has founded Caretakers of God’s Creation ministry and another member, Kyung Yu, talks about her role as a Green Team representative and as a scientist.

I would be happy to consult with you or visit your church as a speaker. You may email me at sun_dog_press AT yahoo.com.

Organic hair care

Hello,
Last week I meet another woman who has an organic beauty shop. Have you ever stopped to think what a permanent does to your hair? Or some of the other chemicals that are common in a beauty shop?

There are ways to be kind to yourself, your beautician and the environment.
Naomi

House Passes Comprehensive Clean Energy Bill

I received this letter from Repower American. I also received emails from other environmental groups. The clean energy bill passed the house yesterday.
Dear Repower America Member,

The House of Representatives has just passed a landmark bill that will propel our nation toward a clean energy future.

The vote was close. Know that all of your efforts -- whether a signed petition, a donation, or a call -- made a difference in the outcome. Together, we are truly showing the power of government by the people and for the people.

It's not over though. The debate moves on to the Senate where our opponents will redouble their efforts. There will be more distortions and foot dragging, but the momentum is on our side.

Today, we have something to celebrate. For the first time in decades, we have taken bold action to help solve the climate crisis. I look forward to working with you in the days ahead.

Thanks for all that you do,

Steve Bouchard
Campaign Manager
www.RepowerAmerica.org

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Now, you to keep the pressure on the senate. The United Methodist Women's Green Team urges you to contact your senator and let him or her know we need a comprehensive clean energy bill.

In Minnesota, we still only have one senator: Amy Klobuchar. Contact her at:

Klobuchar, Amy - (D - MN)
302 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3244
Web Form: klobuchar.senate.gov/emailamy.cfm

If you live in another state please click this link to contact your senator: U.S. Senate

Dulcimer Day organizer returns with Woman-Made | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Dulcimer Day organizer returns with Woman-Made | Duluth News Tribune | Duluth, Minnesota

Posted using ShareThis

Organic cotton, hemp and bamboo clothes

So a couple weeks ago I purchased organic clothes at the Green Mercantile which is in downtown Duluth.

The clothes I purchased had these brand names: Of the Earth, Indigenous, and Blue Canoe. I suppose I should have someone take a photo of me in my new clothes.

My jeans are made of hemp and they fit perfectly. Right now there website is down www.oftheearth.com so I will have to check back to see if they have photos of my jeans online. I also got a black jacket and a skirt made of cotton and silk.

I selected two shirts from Blue Canoe.
The one shown here, which I got in sapphire blue or what Blue Canoe calls cornflower and another black tank top with lace around the arms.

In the past I had only purchased organic cotton socks at the Green Mercantile because I told myself it was too expensive. When I found myself tempted by some new clothes at an upscale boutique I decided, "If I can buy these, I can buy the ones at Green Mercantile." So I went right over to the Green Mercantile and tried on some clothes. I am very pleased.

(The address is 209 East Superior Street, Duluth, MN 55802. And the phone number is (218) 722-1771.)

If you are living in another location in Minnesota visit this websearch page to find other stores with organic clothing.

Second hand clothing saves on the environment

Hi,

I had been on a contest with myself to see if I could purchase all my clothing second hand so as not to place a demand for new products on the environment.

I have had very good luck with this. I often get compliments on my clothes.

This spring while at a Ecumenical Advocacy Days I told another UMW member about this. She didn't like the idea because she had to wear second hand clothes as a child. She said they didn't fit right and often were smelly.

Well, I do have rules about purchasing second hand.

• The must fit and be comfortable

• There can't be anything wrong with them. No spots, stains and certainly not smelly

Wow, that certainly got this off on a sour note.

Another rule is that I know designer tags when I see them. I always look at the tag and see who made the clothing and what the fabric is made of. Usually a well made designer piece of clothing will last a long time. And you will feel proud to wear it.

Yesterday I purchased some new clothing for the first time in about three years. The only other new items I had purchased was two hats. (I am a hat lady.)

In the U.S., African Amercans are the hardest hit by climate change

Captions: left Prof. Cricket with her Christmas scarf. Right: the Rev. Michael McClain of the National Council of Churches of Christ Eco-Justice Programs.(Photos by Naomi)











By Naomi Yaeger UMW Green Team Rep and Prof. Cricket, her determined little dog.


Prof. Cricket and I live in a northern city, Duluth, MN. We go for lots of walks and this keeps us in contact with the people of the neighborhood. While Duluth doesn't have a large population of African Americans, we live in a part of the city that has a larger population of minorities than other parts of this city of 80,000 people.


One thing my little doggie and I have noticed is that of our environmentally minded friends we do not see many African Americans. I serve as the editor of "The Hillsider". It is a newspaper for the core neighborhoods in Duluth and we work hard to cover issues that affect minority people. One of the people on the board of directors of this non-profit newspaper, an African American woman, also had noticed that not many of her African American friends and acquaintances were as interested in environmental issues. She lived only a block away and I used to stop by with Prof. Cricket when we went for walks. (Prof. Cricket was fascinated with her cat.)

Anyway, we would talk about many things and one day she phoned me to tell me about an African American man she had just met. He was interested in the environment and trying to get people to recycle and participate in other environmental programs. She said this was the first African American that she had met who was "into" the environment. To her environmentalism was low on her priority scale. She thought she had more pressing issues to worry about.

Well, anyway the above story illustrates my personal experience with minorities interest in green issues. Here is an article I wrote for our newspaper:

Baptist minister says impacts of global warming fall harder on African-Americans than others

In March I attended Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C. as part of my role as a member of the United Methodist Women’s Green Team for the state of Minnesota. Over 700 people of faith from across the nation attended this conference. The theme was “Enough for all.” On the last day we visited our representatives and senators on Capitol Hill
We learned about environmental racism, in which the people who are already living in poverty are often dealing with the effects of environmental degradation.

I met Baptist minister Michael McClain, a staff-member of the National Council of Churches of Christ Eco-Justice Programs. He spoke about how minority people have often felt left out of the environmental movement when in fact they are the ones who are hardest hit by environmental degradation.

He said, “The worst impacts of global warming fall harder on African-Americans than on anyone else in the United States.” He cited asthma rates are often higher in minority communities, and minorities will pay a higher percentage of their incomes to increasing energy costs.
McClain works to reach out to historic black churches, explain the ways in which climate change is impacting poor people and people of color, and invite them to sign the National Council of Churches’ Faith Principles on Global Warming.
He is also working on home insulation programs, which help people lower energy costs as well as lower their carbon footprint.
If you would like to learn more email McClain at mmclain AT nccecojustice.org or visit nccecojustice.org

Eat fair trade chocolate at Easter time, urge Cadbury's to go fair trade in America

Many people eat lots of chocolate at Easter time.

Make sure you buy fair trade chocolate.

In England Cadbury's has made a commitment to selling fair trade chocolate.

Here is what Green America has to say:
he significance of this fantastic news is that Cadbury is the first major chocolate brand to go Fair Trade with one of its main product lines, one of the goals Green America has been striving towards. Cadbury's announcement proves what Green America has been saying for years: it is viable for a major chocolate bar to go Fair Trade without passing a significant cost increase to consumers. Congratulations on this important victory to all of you who have taken action by buying a Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate bar or writing a letter to bring us to this moment!

Read more here.

World Water Day is March 22

World Water Day Highlights Value of Water Resources

"On World Water Day, we are all called to think about how countries can collaborate to assure sustainable freshwater supplies for all people, especially when those supplies span different countries' borders. In doing so, let's all think about the value of water and call ourselves and others to a high standard of water stewardship."

Denver (Vocus) March 20, 2009 -- The American Water Works Association (AWWA (www.awwa.org)), the authoritative resource on safe water, today joined the United Nations and water advocates throughout the world in recognizing the 16th annual World Water Day, observed March 22, 2009. AWWA Executive Director Gary Zimmerman issued the following statement.

"World Water Day provides a great opportunity to focus on the immeasurable value of water and to recommit ourselves to being excellent stewards of our global water resources. AWWA's 2008 State of the Industry report found that water resources were the single top concern among North American water professionals over both the near- and long terms.

"In the developed world, we frequently take safe water for granted, expecting it will always be there when we turn on the tap. But as drought grips California, Texas and other regions in North America, we need to think about how we use water in our homes and our places of business. All of us - from scientists to resource planners to utility managers to consumers - have a role to play in maximizing the smart and efficient use of our valued water resources.

"On World Water Day, we are all called to think about how countries can collaborate to assure sustainable freshwater supplies for all people, especially when those supplies span different countries' borders. In doing so, let's all think about the value of water and call ourselves and others to a high standard of water stewardship."

Eighty-five World Water Day events have been planned across 27 countries as of this release. The United States and Canada will hold 37 such events, the most of any region of the world. Read about World Water Day in Streamlines (http://www.awwa.org/publications/breakingnewsdetail.cfm?itemnumber=47057). More information on World Water Day 2009 can be found at www.worldwaterday.org.

AWWA is the authoritative resource for knowledge, information, and advocacy to improve the quality and supply of water in North America and beyond. AWWA is the largest organization of water professionals in the world. AWWA advances public health, safety and welfare by uniting the efforts of the full spectrum of the entire water community. Through our collective strength we become better stewards of water for the greatest good of the people and the environment.

UMW Green Team's Initiative on Climate change

Carol Rieke and Jane Todd visiting at the Washington, D.C. office with Senator Amy Klobuchar's aide Charley (Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff)


Visiting with Rep. Jim Oberstar's aid in the Rayborn Building in Washington, DC. Naomi Yaeger, Franciscan sister and Jane Todd.

UMW Green Team’s Initiative on Climate Change: Countdown to Copenhagen Campaign 2009

From the GBGM-UMW website

The Women’s Division and United Methodist Women are active partners with Church World Service, the National Council of Churches USA, their member denominations, and ecumenical partners in developed and developing nations on the Countdown to Copenhagen Campaign (C2C).

This effort strives to build awareness among people of faith of the critical need for compassionate, bold action on climate change which is damaging God’s creation and imposing unjust burdens on the poor around the world.

The campaign calls upon the world’s leaders to commit to strong limits on carbon emissions. It also calls for wealthy nations to contribute funds to assist developing countries to adapt to the climactic changes that have already begun.

Clear here to learn things you can do

SCHOOLS OF CHRISTIAN MISSION

HOST A POSTCARD TABLE

LINK THE C2C CAMPAIGN WITH AN EDUCATIONAL EFFORT

· Adult Sunday School class

· Vacation Bible School class

· Teens – participatory learning

· Beat the Heat Fair

INFORM, INSPIRE AND ACTIVATE WITH A LOW CARBON FOOTPRINT MEAL

CELEBRATE MOTHER’S DAY IN A SPECIAL WAY

HOST A VIDEO PARTY.

HOST A PUBLIC VIGIL/PRAYER SERVICE

Click here to learn more

For more information

Contact Esmeralda Brown at Women’s Division: EBrown AT gbgm-umc.org

212-682-3633.

For Policy and Legislative Updates contact Susie Johnson at Washington Office: umwanet AT gbgm-umc.org / 202-488-5660

UMW Green Team members gather for envirnomental justice-learning event

United Methodist Women Social Action Coordinators, Green Team members and Women's Divison directors meet in Washington, D.C. for Ecumenical Advocacy Days in Alexandria, Virginia. (Photo by Naomi Yaeger-Bischoff)

Climate Change Tops Ecumenical Advocacy Days

by YVETTE MOORE*

Forty-seven United Methodist Women social action and environmental justice leaders shared organizing tips and boned up on legislation affecting women, children, youth and the environment at the 7th Annual Ecumenical Advocacy Days in the Washington, D.C., area, Mar. 12-16. The “Enough for All Creation” ecumenical advocacy event convened more than 600 people from various denominations and faith groups to focus on the urgent need for legislative action around climate change.

Even event workshops on Africa, peace, hunger and economic justice examined the impact of global warming on those issues.

“As Christians, we must be truth-tellers,” said the Rev. Sean McDonagh in the opening plenary worship of the ecumenical event. “If we continue in the way we are going, by 2100, a third of the earth will be desert. So children I baptize this year -- whom I would hope would live to be 100 -- they will be here when this happens. … This is a Kairos moment. Pray courage for individuals and courage for our leaders. We have the technology. The world has the wealth. But the world still doesn’t have the political will to act -- and we have a window of about 10-20 years to effect change.”

Read the whole story on the GBGM UMW website here

Biokleen laundry liquid has no phosphate or chlorine and works well

It works very well. Here is what the Biokleen's website says about the laundry liquid:

Citrus Laundry Liquid

Phosphate & Chlorine Free:
Our Laundry liquid removes the toughest dirt, grease, stains and odors, yet is gentle enough for cloth diapers, delicate fabrics and hand washables. Rinses clean without leaving residue on clothes that can irritate skin or ruin fabrics.

• 3x More Concentrated
• Grapefruit Seed & Orange Peel Extracts
• Naturally controls stains and odors
• Makes a great pre-treat for stains

I don't like fragrances in my laundry soap. I smelled my laundry and it smell clean and there was no flowery or other smell.

Here are the ingredients: Surfactants and conditioners form coconut and/or corn, orange peel extract, grapefruit seed and pulp extract, linear suffonate, filter water.

I went to a green conference the other day and Shannon from the Whole Foods Co-op gave me a sample of Biokeen. It is an all temperature Laundry Liquid and it is phosphate and chlorine free.

Giving up Carbon for Lent

Will you give up something for Lent?

Here is a post on Twilight Earth:

The 10 Best Ways to Give Up Carbon for Lent.

10. Get a cloth sack

9. Give the dishwasher a break -

8. Fill your plates - What plates are those? Light switches and plug plates!

7. Don’t let it shine - “Oh Honey! You turned down the lights! How romantic!”

6. The Secret Sister of the Recycle, Reuse and Reduce triplets -Let me introduce you to Precycling! Simply put, Precycling is the act of “not purchasing” something that would otherwise be Recycled or thrown into a landfill.

5. Eat Slow, Joe - Fast foods are Carbon intensive.

4. Got a Bounty of Brawny Scott’s in your kitchen? Give’em the boot! -

3. Wean yourself off the bottle - No, not that bottle, this bottle.

2. Don’t be Latte for work - How much water goes into that single Latte you buy on the way to work? 50 Gallons! Check out this video.

And the number 1 thing you can do to give up carbon for Lent? Give up Beef! For every 1 pound of beef that you eat, you are also consuming 7lbs of grain, and 2,500 gallons of water. Not to mention about 270 antibiotic injections. 1lb of beef also produces the carbon equivalent of driving a car at 60 miles an hour for 200 miles or burning a 100 watt bulb continuously for 20 years.

Our pastor is giving up red meat for Lent because he wants to lessen his carbon footprint.

You may read more about the effects of meat production on the environment here at:

Beef Effects on People, the Environment and Society.

Klobuchar Secures Nearly $50 Million in Funding for Minnesota Energy and Water Projects

Klobuchar secures funds for homegrown energy and additional job-creating measures

Washington, D.C. – Continuing her efforts to secure funding for important initiatives across the state, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar announced that over $49 million will be included in the Energy and Water section of the Omnibus Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2009. The measure includes funding for many projects that will provide jobs for Minnesotans, including flood control and mitigation in Breckenridge and Crookston, waste-to-energy facilities in Pope and Douglas counties and the Lewis & Clark Rural Water System in southwest Minnesota.

Klobuchar secured $4 million for the continuation of work on the Red River of the North Flood Control project in Breckenridge. After the massive Red River basin floods of 1997, government officials decided to implement permanent flood damage reduction projects for the communities along the river, including Breckenridge. Funding announced today will go towards creating a high-flow diversion channel and two separate permanent levee reaches that will protect all of Breckenridge.

“Early federal support was vital to Minnesotans’ efforts to recover and rebuild in the aftermath of the ’97 floods,” said Klobuchar. “Last summer’s flooding in the Midwest demonstrated how important these projects are to helping communities avoid catastrophe. Flood projects like this can mean the difference between minor damage and total destruction.”

Along with five senators from South Dakota, Iowa and Minnesota, Klobuchar announced further federal funding allocations for the Lewis and Clark Rural Water System. Klobuchar announced today that $27 million would be sent to the project for the construction of a water pipeline that will provide clean water from the Missouri River to over 300,000 people in Minnesota, South Dakota and Iowa through its 20 member cities and rural water systems.

“This important initiative will provide fresh, clean drinking water to people across southern Minnesota,” said Klobuchar. “In the land of 10,000 lakes, we value clean water and this project will help deliver that to families and businesses.”

In addition, Klobuchar secured nearly $1 million towards a new Plasma Gasification Waste To Energy facility in Koochiching County that converts municipal solid wastes into energy and other marketable by-products in an environmentally sound manner. The Renewable Energy Clean Air Project (RECAP) would use the funds to conduct a feasibility study to assess technical, economic and environmental matters.

“This is the type of innovation and leadership that we need to achieve energy security,” said Klobuchar. “At a time of unstable energy costs it is important that we invest in new technologies and the homegrown energy that will create the new jobs and businesses that will fuel our future.”

Senator Klobuchar secured nearly $1 million for the expansion of the Waste to Energy facility shared by Pope and Douglas Counties. The expansion is needed in order to meet the growing needs of the two counties. The Waste to Energy facility provides steam energy to neighboring businesses, such as the 3M Manufacturing plant and the Douglas County Hospital, and produces 500 kilowatts per hour of electricity for the Waste to Energy facility itself.

“The Pope/Douglas Waste to Energy facility is an example of Minnesotans leading the push for homegrown energy,” said Klobuchar. “Projects like this can create good jobs in Minnesota while capturing new energy sources, reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and protecting the environment.”

Klobuchar also announced funding for the Minnesota Center for Renewable Energy. The center’s purpose is to move the Midwest toward greater environmentally friendly, sustainable energy use and energy independence. The Center, funded at $713,625 will operate as an applied research consortium of faculty, business and industry partners, and entrepreneurial leaders.

Klobuchar also secured over $8.6 million for a program to improve navigation efficiency and environmental restoration efforts on the Upper Mississippi River. The Navigation and Ecosystem Sustainability Program works to ensure economic and environmental sustainability of the Upper Mississippi River System. It aims to reduce commercial traffic delays and protect and restore the environment.

Klobuchar was also successful in securing funding for a public-use harbor and dock in Duluth. The McQuade Road Safe Harbor Project includes a three-acre harbor where small craft can be protected during storms, ramps for boat and kayak launching, and adjustable docks. The facility also includes fishing spots and sidewalks above the shore and an underpass beneath Scenic Highway 61.

In addition, Klobuchar obtained funding to guard against floods in Granite Falls, Grand Forks, Ada and Montevideo. Funding for the Drayton Dam is also included in the bill.

Klobuchar secured funding for the restoration of Minnehaha’s Painter Creek, a water system which was straightened for agricultural uses in the early 1900s.

Other major Minnesota environment and water initiatives included in the bill include:

* $287,000 for repairing two levees damaged by ice in April 2005 in Crookston, MN.
* $217,000 for funding towards the Marsh Lake Aquation Ecosystem Feasibility study which would identify measures to restore more than 5,000 acres of wetland habitat within the existing reservoir and to reconnect Lac qui Parle to more than 750 miles of streams in the Pomme de Terre River basin. This restoration would allow more Minnesota hunters, anglers, birders, canoeists and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy thousands of migratory waterfowl and other birds and fish.
* $382,000 for use by the Minnehaha Creek Watershed District for flood mitigation between Lake Itasca and Lock and Dam #2, near Hastings, MN.
* $478,000 for the restoration of the Red River of the North Basin.
* $598,000 for the restoration and protection of the St. Croix River Basin.
* $259,000 for the restoration of the Wild Rice River of the North Basin.
* $500,000 for flood mitigation efforts in Roseau.


“It's our responsibility to provide communities with clean drinking water, protect our homes and businesses from flooding and restore our beloved rivers and lakes” said Klobuchar. “Today we took a significant step in making sure that we invest in infrastructure to allow communities to grow and our ecosystems to prosper.

Ecumenical Workshops Offered on Creation Care in Duluth

An ecumenical creation care educational workshop will be held at Gloria Dei Lutheran in Duluth, Minnesota on February 21st, 2009 from 9-noon. Cost of $10 includes the workshop, a resource disk, and a mini-concert by the Northfield Youth Choir. Patricia Benson, Creation Care Coordinator for the Lutheran Coalition of Public Policy in Minnesota (LCPPM), will facilitate the event. Later in the afternoon the Minnesota Episcopal Environmental Stewardship Commission (MEESC) will host presentations and discussion about "greening our church buildings" beginning at 3:00 p.m. at St. Andrew’s by-the-Lake Episcopal. Speakers will touch on concerns in all buildings, and discuss examples of new construction as well as remodeled churches in the Duluth area where environmentally friendly design was incorporated.
Faith communities have been deeply engaged in action and advocacy relative to refugee, hunger, and poverty issues. This workshop is designed to develop further understanding of how climate change is an underlying contributor to each of these social justice issues and how global warming will impact core church ministries. A menu of responses provides a variety of personal and group actions designed to contribute to lasting solutions.
A segment from the DVD Sisters on the Planet (Oxfam) will be shown, demonstrating how people around the world are experiencing the consequences of climate change today. Information provided will assist you in becoming an advocate on current Minnesota legislative issues to protect our rivers, lakes and streams, to reduce pollution and increase energy efficiency, and to make our stewardship of the earth a legacy to our children.
There will also be breakout sessions to attend within a smaller group setting. Topics to be covered include Climate Change Impact on Hunger and Poverty Issues, Personal Action Plan, and Congregational Action Plan.
The purpose of the workshop is to inform people of the scriptural basis for environmental stewardship, to provide a network of connections and resources to people and communities, and to provide the opportunity to engage with others to make a difference in the world.
A contribution for the local food shelf is the admission request to a short concert at 11:30, following the morning workshop. Since 1986, the Northfield Youth Choirs have helped more than a thousand young singers "find their voice." The group's mission is to provide the finest choral education possible in an environment that challenges and affirms children and young adults in grades one through twelve. The Chorale, a mixed ensemble for grades 10 – 12, is directed by Karen Lutgen and accompanied by Mary Davis.
The Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in Minnesota, a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, in response to God’s love, seeks to engage all people of faith in the promotion of public policy that supports peace, justice, and care for all of God’s creation. The Minnesota Episcopal Environmental Stewardship Commission is a dynamic pace setter for understanding, reflection, and action in the Diocese of Minnesota and the Episcopal Church in America. As public awareness of concerns about the environment has grown, both organizations have taken on a new energy to mentor churches, set process and policy and develop liturgical and educational materials in our faith communities.

Creation Care Workshop at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church
219 North 6th Avenue East, Duluth, Minnesota 218.722.3381
February 21st, 9-11:30 Cost: $10 & a food shelf item
“Green Building” Experience in Local Churches at St Andrew's by-the-Lake Episcopal Church
2802 Minnesota Avenue, Duluth, Minnesota
February 21st, 3:00 p.m. Supper at 5:00 – main dish and beverage provided; bring a side dish, bread, or dessert to share. All are welcome.


Barbara H. Holt, Marketing Communications Specialist

Woman Throws No Trash Away for an Entire Year

Television story about a woman who doesn't throw any trash away for one year.

Blue Sky Soda

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 1 can (354 mL)
Servings Per Container 1
Amount Per Serving
Calories 160	Fat Cal.0
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 0g	0%
Sodium10mg	1%
Total Carb42g	14%
Sugars 42g
Protein 0g	0%

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 Calorie diet
INGREDIENTS: FILTERED CARBONATED WATER, HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SWEETENER, NATURAL COLA NUT FLAVOR, CARAMEL COLOR (FROM FRUCTOSE), TARTARIC ACID (FROM GRAPES), AND CITRIC ACID.

Blue Sky Soda

Today I gave a UMW Green Team presentation to the "Coppertoppers" at my church. The "Coppertoppers" are retired group of people.

I talked about UMW stand on chlorine-free paper, the use of Stryofoam, UMW stance against bottled water and other issues.

I started off by asking trivia questions. The first person to get a trivia question correct got a fair trade organic piece of chocolate. 

I also passed around a can of Blue Sky Soda and said that it is still junk food, but it has less bad stuff in it than more mainstream sodas

An application to join UMW Green Teams

If you would like an application to join the United Methodist Women's Green Advocacy for Environmental Justice please contact me and I will send you an application.

Here is a sample of the type of questions that you will need to answer:

Basic information like your name, address, etc.

What you live and the size of town and the size of you UMW unit Your racial/ethnic background and age range. Languages that you speak.

Answer these questions/statements:

Please describe your particular area of environmental concern and experience in organizing/mobilizing people to advocate on an issue:

Please describe your experience working with a team and the role you played in this group.

What do you see as your strength or gifts as a leader?

Wanted: UMW Green Team Members

How to join the UMW Green Team

Psalm 24:1-2

“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and those who live in it; for he has founded it on the seas, and established it on the rivers.”

The UMW Green Team is looking for more members. The duties include:

• Working at the local, district and conference level to inform and educate members on enviornmental justice, particularly its impact on women and children and on communities of color.

• Participate in two major initiatives on environmental justice during the 2009 – 2012 quadrennium
1. Enlist colleges/university and UM Annual conference to commit to certified chlorine-free paper procurement
2. Engage in a climate change advocacy campaign through education and action to amplify UMW voices on this issue.

• Utilize UMW venues such as School of Christian Mission, Mother’s Day events, UMW Sunday, etc. to promote and educate environmental justice

• Submit an annual report of activities.

Deadline is due by January 30. For an application contact Naomi Yaeger at (218) 728-1031 or naomi@sundogpress.com.

Example application here.

For further information contact:
Office of Global Justice
Women's Division
777 UN Plaza
New York, NY 10017
212-682-3633
ebrown AT gbgm-umc.org
Esmeralda Brown

Top 10 Eco-Tips for the Holidays

Top 10 Eco-Tips for the Holidays

Toys: Do they contain toxic chemicals?

Visit HealthyToys.org

Buy Nothing Day

Top Ten Green Mom Blogs or How to raise children and respect the environment

Here are links to several "green mom" blogs

Top ten popular green mom blogs.

10 Great Green Mom Blogs
Eco Child's Play

Sustainable Babyish is the Stylish Cloth Diaper That’s Also Very Green

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Read AP story about Smart Car

Cell phone companies encourage electronic waste

I think the mobile or cell phone industry encourages people to discard their phones. We tried to purchase an additional phone for my mother at the beginning of the year because she was one of the people that we phoned lot and we wanted to save long distance charges and add her to our family plan. We were with Cellular One which was purchased by AT&T. At the former Cellular One stores were told that they didn't have anymore phones that would be compatible with our old Cellular One phones and that we had to purchase ALL new AT&T phones for the whole family. (We had three: my husband, myself and my daughter.)

We I asked about the electronic waste this would cause, I was told that the phone would be donated to soldiers. Okay.....so if the phone will work for the soldiers.....why can't they continue to work for us?

Every former Cellular One store we went to was "all out" of the old Cellular One phones and tried to sell us a new AT&T phone for the whole family.

Can someone explain to me why it was impossible to purchase a phone that would be compatible with the three phones we already had?

Discarded Mobile Phones Create an