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Ridgefield-Crystal Lake Presbyterian Church
8505 Church Street (in Ridgefield) Crystal Lake, IL 60012 * 815-459-1132 |
"The earth is the Lord's and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it." Psalm 24: 1
RCLPC is an
Earth Care Congregation
Faith in Place
Green Living Tips
Green Drinks Networking
Recycling
Earth Care Team Announcements:
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2018 McHenry County Green Guide
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Recycling
New Fountain/Bottle Filling Station in Fellowship Hall
Rick Thompson was a valued member of RCLPC's Earth Care Team. He would rush from the train to the church for meetings of the team, always bringing along his enthusiasm, creativity, and can-do attitude. In Rick's memory, friends provided funds for a new fountain in Fellowship Hall that filters and chills the water and features a bottle filling station.
The fountain/bottle filling station will help us be responsible stewards of God's earth--a reusable bottle instead of a disposable or recyclable one, inexpensive filtered water instead of water bottled in plastic, less energy consumed than for bottled water. Life-giving, clean water that is so easily available to us, yet so hard to obtain in much of the world. Remember Rick's passion for care of the earth as you fill your bottle. ~ Earth Care Team
Battery Recycling Update:
Since the white battery recycling buckets have been put into circulation at our church (in the center stairwell) in July 2017, 70 POUNDS of batteries have been collected and recycled, thereby diverting these materials from landfills and removing the potential to contaminate our ground water supplies. As a reminder, leaking batteries should not be put in our recycling containers but instead need to go in the trash. Also, if using the church recycling containers is not convenient for you, we invite you to utilize one of the many upcoming Defenders' 2018 recycling events found HERE.
Recycling Drives:
- To Download the most current copy of the McHenry Country Recycling Guide, which offers up-to-date information on recycling opportunities and how to recycle various household materials the correct way, CLICK HERE.
Faith in Place: Faithful People Caring for the Earth
https://www.faithinplace.org/
Faith in Place empowers Illinois people of all faiths to be leaders in caring for the Earth,
providing resources to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier communities.
Upcoming Faith in Place Events:
ADVOCACY DAY: April 26, 2018 - Our Annual Advocacy Day at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield is on Thursday, April 26th! Join us for a rally and the opportunity to educate your elected officials on the importance of environmental justice in our state. Get on the bus! For more information, please CLICK HERE.
Green Living Tips
These tips brought to you by the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County. Find them at www.MCDEF.ORG.
Need a New AC Unit? What to know before you purchase: As we move into warmer weather, if you need to buy a new air conditioner, purchase the most efficient model, one with an Energy Star rating. Make sure it is the correct size for the amount of space you're cooling. Then install it in the shade to reduce its workload. If it has to be in the sun, build a protective shade over it without blocking air circulation. This will increase the unit's efficiency by 5-10%, saving you money and reducing your use of energy.
Live Green - Avoid Disposables: There are lots of small incremental ways to draw down your carbon footprint and one easy way is to AVOID DISPOSABLES! Use a refillable bottle instead of purchasing bottled water. Bring your own bag, whether you're shopping at the grocery store or the mall. For your morning coffee, frequent a shop that either provides or lets you use a reusable mug. Cloth napkins are ecological and classy! Fruits and vegetables come in their own natural wrap - don't buy them wrapped in non-essential plastic. Once you get into the habit, you'll realize how many opportunities there are to kick disposables habit.
Putting Paper in Perspective: A few thoughts on using paper products:
- USE ONE LESS PAPER NAPKIN: During an average year, an American uses approximately 2,200 napkins-around six each day. If everyone in the U.S. used one less napkin a day, more than a billion pounds of napkins could be saved from landfills each year. Better yet, use cloth napkins!
- USE BOTH SIDES OF PAPER: American businesses throw away 21 million tons of paper every year, equal to 175 pounds per office worker. For a quick and easy way to halve this, set your printer's default option to print double-sided (duplex printing). And when you're finished with your documents, don't forget to take them to the recycling bin.
- WRAP CREATIVELY: You can reuse gift bags, bows and event paper, but you can also make something unique by using old maps, cloth or even newspaper. Flip a paper grocery bag inside out and give your child stamps or markers to create their own wrapping paper that's environmentally friendly and extra special for the recipient.
McHenry County Green Drinks Networking
Green Wednesdays
In McHenry County, the first Wednesday of each month is Green Wednesday! Time to gather to discuss environmental topics, plus reconnect with eco-friends and make new ones. Join us at Duke's Alehouse & Kitchen, 110 N Main Street in Crystal Lake. The event is upstairs at Duke's from 5-7pm. Head upstairs for info and inspiration, business and pleasure.
Come talk about "greening" the future with others. Additional parking is available at the train station.
Upcoming Green Drinks Topics:
Future Programs:
Check the weblink at greendrinks.org/ for additional information about upcoming green topics.
The McHenry County Green Drinks is apart of an international network of over 600 Green Drinks groups throughout the world.These events are very simple and unstructured, but many people have found employment, made friends, developed new ideas, and had moments of serendipity.
Prayer for the Earth
God, we thank you that in the vastness of your creation, there is something special about the beauty of this earth. Breathe your Holy Spirit into us so that we may grow in a sense of wonder and proclaim to be good all that you have made. Amen.
~ source unknown