St. John’s Lutheran Church Goes Green

Care for the environment has become an important priority for the congregation of St. John’s Lutheran Church. Pastor Allison Bengfort has engaged the congregation in a process of reviewing ways they can help the planet..

Care for the environment has become an important priority for the congregation of St John’s Lutheran Church. Pastor Allison Bengfort was new to the church and she wanted to know the congregation and what they care about.  The congregation engaged in a process beginning with a Listening Season followed by Analysis, Action and Celebration. Climate change emerged as a priority during Listening Season. A  Green Team was formed and they set out to hear from members individually, to know them better and learn what directly affects them.  They began by focusing on small tangible issues like composting left-over food scraps, using reusable plates, cups and silverware. They created a green season liturgical series of events by writing their own liturgy connecting around philosophy and spiritual inspiration.  As the church continues to focus on climate change the people are beginning to address systemic environmental policies that especially effect areas experiencing poverty. With Pastor Allison’s guidance congregants are getting trained in advocacy. After the training a few congregants traveled to Springfield to participate in Advocacy Day.  They are following the Clean Energy Jobs Act Bill and the Poor People’s Campaign. Everything they have learned and actions they have taken were initiated by intentional listening to what the people in the congregation care about.  Kudos to St. John’s for their green leadership!

Does your congregation have a Green Team? If so, let us know what changes you have made. If not, contact us so we can help you set one up.