Last month, we learned about the unique and complementary partnership

between Christiania Lutheran Church, Lakeville and Urban Ventures,

Minneapolis.

Attending to the Synod's Care of Creation Work Group table at the annual

Congregational Toolkit and the annual Synod assembly, we've been able to

listen to many stories about creation care in congregations. Several actions

have been enthusiastically told to us over the years by members of

Christiania Lutheran in Lakeville. Many of them, like bee hives on site,

chickens in coops, and vegetable farming, are all in conjunction with Urban

Ventures, a Minneapolis not-for-profit organization.

Last month, Green Blades Rising printed the Urban Ventures annual report

(also reprinted in Christiania's newsletter) which describes the

partnership. This month, we can describe the specifics about the adventures

and goings-on at Christiania. For the actual articles and for photos of the

operation and some of the folks involved, please go visit Urban Ventures here on pg. 14 or Christiania Lutheran Church here with a reprint on pg. 10.

It was natural to think that the Urban Ventures relationship would take

Sustainability and Creation Care from Christiania members. That would be

understandable and would be a great, sufficient service to the community.

What more could be done when they are such responsible stewards of their

property?

Pastors Joy and Jon, Communications Coordinator Sue, and SPAS Care of

Creation Work Group member Sharon Thompson all gave wonderful impressions of other Christiania actions. There is no single oversight committee or group for all of the creation care activities at Christiania; the volunteers who organize the activities are all eager and effective in their respective actions. 

Beyond the farming led by Urban Ventures, Christiania members have their

own, large congregational vegetable garden. Garden produce collected and is

generously donated to food shelves in three different counties.

A different group of members turned an unused ball field into a wildflower

pollinator space. That plot has since been sold, but has been beautiful and

supportive to many butterflies, bugs, and other creatures!

The congregation has hired a custodian who acts with the Properties folks to

oversee practical actions like recycling, composting, LED replacement bulbs,

and other maintenance projects related to energy efficiency and waste

management.

A major recent project undertaken by Christiania included new, improved

insulation, window replacements, and other building efficiency upgrades.

One Christiania member started a strategy to collecting plastics from

members and staff. When they reach the appropriate volume, the company that received the plastic will donate a park bench to Camp Onamia.

There are congregations in our synods which have active, energetic Creation

Care groups that work together and take on various sustainability actions.

There are other congregations whose members who care for creation through

many different formal committees and informal groups and individuals

unaffiliated with one Creation Care group. There is no one right way to do

this work! Know that our synods consider this work to be very important and

have resources to help you either way, if you'd like to take action!