Central United Methodist Joins Carbon Fast

Central United Methodist Church of Endicott, NY has joined the Carbon Fast! Woohoo!

The following letter went out to all congregants (about 1000):

Dear Friends in Faith,

The original Lenten fast had to do with eating simple through the whole 40 days of Lent. Some fasted all day during the Fridays of Lent. Some more recently have given up some activity or luxury during and used the time and/or money for a good use. Some take on some worthwhile ministry during Lent.

Here’s a new one I ran across: Give up some carbon for Lent. We all have a “carbon footprint” that is the amount of carbon-based fuel we use (oil, gas, gasoline, diesel, coal, plastics, electricity-mostly.) By reducing some we save some fuel, leaving more for later, make less pollution and save some money.

Like more traditional fasts, we can choose something that will make a little difference (shut off a light) or something very significant (install insulation). The benefits are more likely to come with a more significant fast.

But how is carbon fasting spiritual? It won’t make your stomach growl or give the fulfilling sense of helping someone. Remember God created this world. God’s continuous creation continues to make rain water fall and plants grow. Since God is caring for our earth, don’t we want to join God in very hands on way? Won’t we sense God closer to us if we are closer to doing what God does?

For links to lots of suggested ways to do this go to CarbonFast

Consider praying like this with your fast:

God, you love us so much you give us this beautiful world. You love the world so much you gave us your Son. We want to love this world and its people in a tangible way, like you do. Bless our “giving up” __________ name the action and make our little planet more sustainable because of it. Show us other ways to conserve and save energy. Help us grow in faith and grow closer to you as you grow closer to us.
Through Jesus Christ who came to save us.
Amen.

So this Lent don’t give up chocolate, camel rides or jumping out of airplanes. Give up some of your carbon.

Grace and Peace to you,
Pastor Doug

Lent Is Coming

A new idea for A Discipline for Lent

Sent to me by Joan G. from the VUMC for use by the church!

In 2007 The Bishop of Liverpool, England started a Carbon Fast. He encouraged members of the church parishes to cut back on their uses of energy during Lent, because it would reduce the production of carbon dioxide into the air. There is evidence that
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is related to global warming. Anything produced by fossil fuels releases CO2.

You are invited to try these suggestions during Lent if you would like to decrease the amount of CO2 produced in your daily living. For more detailed suggestions please go to www.carbonfast.blogspot.com

Feb. 25: Share a ride. Give a neighbor or friend a ride to church on Sundays or to the Lenten worship services and meal.

Feb. 26: Make right turns only. UPS saved 3.1 million gallons of fuel in 1 year doing this.

Feb. 27 Combine errands so you leave the house once instead of 3-4 times.

Feb. 28 Share rides to the grocery store with a neighbor so only 1 car makes the trip.

March 2: If you have 2 cars, use the one with the better mileage for longer trips.

March 3: Use only full loads with your washing machine, dryer and dishwasher. Skip the heated-dry option on dishwasher unless someone is sick.

March 4: Let your hair air dry 15-20 minutes, then use the hair dryer.

March 5: Take shorter showers.

March 6: Use cold water for your laundry. Most detergents are formulated to be effective in cold water.

March 7 Use a clothes rack to dry some clothes. It also adds humidity to your house.

March 9: Can you turn off your computer or TV for one full day a week?

March 10: Cover everything you cook.

March 11: Use the lowest possible heat setting on the stove burner. Less heat escapes from the pan using a lower setting.

March 12: Use your microwave to start cooking vegetables or meat for the grill.

March 13: Ignore the preheat cycle of your oven. Most items except cookies, can go in before the oven is up to heat.

March 14: Use Compact Fluorescent light bulbs. They’re cooler & use less electricity.

March 16: Be informed: Read a book or article on saving energy, carbon emissions, environmental justice or global warming.

March 17: Make coffee or tea just once and pour the extra in a small thermos for later on.

March 18: Unplug chargers and small appliances not in use.

March 19: Try lightly rinsing or not rinsing dishes at all for the dishwasher and see what happens. New dishwashers often don’t need dishes to be pre-rinsed.

March 20: Recycle. www.gobroomecounty.com/solidwaste/recycling has a list of all items you can recycle at the curb or at the landfill.

March 21: Reuse plastic bags or use a cloth shopping bag.

March 23: Don’t throw plastic bags away. Take them to recycle bins at supermarkets.

March 24: Use cloth napkins instead of paper, rags instead of paper towels.

March 25: Compost food garbage & yard waste if you can. Go to CompostInfo.com for ideas.

March 26: Use the stairs whenever you can instead of the elevator.

March 27: Use 2 sides of a paper when printing from the computer. Ask yourself if you really need to print it out.

March 28: Encourage your kids to use both sides of a paper for drawing, schoolwork, etc.

March 30: Share magazines with friends and family or get them at the library.

March 31: Too many catalogs? CatalogChoice.org lets you cancel the ones you don’t want.

April 1: Buy printer paper, napkins and paper towels that have recycled paper in them.

April 2: Write a letter to the editor or a representative about an energy issue or climate change.

April 3: Talk with friends and neighbors about energy and the environment.

April 4: Fill your teakettle with only the amount of water you need.

April 6: Try to cut transportation miles, choose food at farmer’s markets & local stores.

April 7: Draw curtains to keep heat in in the winter and heat out in the summer.

April 8: “Love does no harm to its neighbor” Romans 13:10. Our lifestyles may be using more and more energy while our poorer neighbors are suffering. Reflect on ways to love our neighbors.

April 9: Is there a way to reduce the number of miles you drive this week?

April 10: Ask your energy suppliers if part of your supply can be from wind or water power.

April 11: How have you felt about the efforts you have made? Your stewardship In energy conservation and greener practices do make a difference! Please share with the Green Team any more ideas or related concerns that you have.

Suggestions were gathered from the book Low Carbon Diet, www.carbonfast.blogspot.com and The Tearfund