We are a Creation Justice Church
First Congregational Church is designated as a Creation Justice church through the United Church of Christ (UCC).
The UCC has eight justice related designations (Open and Affirming is a designation that our church attained over 25 years ago). Now we join 208 other UCC congregations around the country that are recognized for their environmental commitments.
The Green Team works to discern how we can embody the work of caring for creation. We hold plastic and Styrofoam drives, provide information in the Shalom and daily emails about environmental issues, adopted an area at Turtle Flats for restoration, offer adult education groups and work with staff and other committees to improve our church’s use of earth resources.
Turtle Flats
First Congregational Church has adopted an area at the confluence of the Coast Fork and Middle Fork of the Willamette River to remove invasive species at Turtle Flats. We remove blackberry, english ivy, and teasel, while also planting native species. Work parties are held regularly.
Please contact Mark Lindberg at markl@fcceugene.org if you are interested in participation. One Earth, One Love, Many Hands!
BRING: Rethink Business
First Congregational Church is re-certified as a Rethink Business with a 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.
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 ~ October 14
Twice a year the Green Team sponsors a Plastic Recycling event, collecting those items that cannot be put in the curbside comingle bins. Save your items until next time!
We collect plastics labeled 2, 4, and 5.
Labels and adhesive must be removed, and the containers must be squeaky clean.
We also collect block Styrofoam and tin can lids, which can’t go in the curbside bins.
Volunteers will be needed to help sort materials. Training will be provided at the event at 9:30a.m.
PLEASE NOTE: Sanipac and Lane Apex garbage services are currently accepting #1 and #2 bottles and jugs (no tubs) in the curbside comingle bin. Labels do not have to be removed but the containers should be clean.
Please contact Mary Mowday or Gwen Gwilym for questions.
