The goal of the FCC Green Team is to focus our church on becoming a Creation Justice Church and on addressing the climate crisis facing our earth. An extensive Action Plan has been developed and approved by the church board to guide the work of the Team. 

See FCC Climate Plan Here

Why should First Congregational Church address environmental issues?

  • Holy Scripture calls us to care for creation. In Genesis the first job that God gives to humans is to care for God’s creation (Genesis 2:15). It is our covenant with God and essential in our partnership with the Divine.
  • It is a matter of economic and social justice. We are called to care for one another. The most vulnerable are the most affected by climate change because it affects weather patterns, rising sea levels, access to food and water and so much more.
  • If we and others don’t act now, we won’t have a home as we know it. Addressing climate change is essential for future generations.
  • Everyone needs to be involved in addressing climate change, not just corporations. As individuals and as a congregation, we can have an impact.

The Green Team provides a monthly article in the Shalom about the affect of climate change on our planet and things we can do.  In the weekly church Social Justice email, actions we can take are highlighted. 

It is powerful to consider what climate change might feel like to a youth. This short article, written by a teen, captures the fear and the need for action perfectly. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/ can_we_be_hopeful_and_courageous_in_the_face_of_climate_change

Rethink Business

First Congregational Church is re-certified as a Rethink Business with a Rethink Award!  On November 8, Spencer Perillo from BRING presented FCC with its Rethink award.  Organizations and businesses achieve Rethink certification by practicing conservation and efficiency actions in the areas of energy, pollution prevention, water and more. BRING analyzed the products we use, the recycling we do,  our care for our grounds, and the FCC policies and practices around justice, equity and diversity before re-certifying our church. We will have some cost savings from changes to higher efficiency lighting, but more importantly, we will be better stewards for the environment because of the process. Thank you to FCC staff Dana and Dennis for work on this project and to the Facilities Committee for their commitment to sustainability

Earth Care Interfaith Fund

FCC joins other local faith communities in supporting the Earth Care Interfaith Fund.  For those who would like to offset their use of carbon footprint (maybe after a plane trip, perhaps after a long road trip), donations to the Earth Care fund at the Long Tom Watershed Council and the McKenzie River Trust can be made. These funds are used to restore habitat in our local community. 

Plastic Recycling

The Green Team sponsored a successful Plastic Recycling event with more than 6 cubic yards of tightly packed plastic collected and two car loads of Styrofoam.  More events are planned.