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Category: Stewards of the Earth

Land Acknowledgement Lunch & Learn, January 28

Land Acknowledgement Lunch & Learn, January 28

Land Acknowledgement

Stewards of the Earth – Lunch & Learn

January 28 After Worship


Stewards of the Earth will be hosting a Lunch & Learn after church on Sunday, January 28 in the Social Hall. Come learn about the indigenous peoples that once resided in Silver Spring. We will have an introductory talk about crafting a Land Acknowledgement and then break into small group discussions. 

This will be the first of three events that the Stewards of the Earth is planning for 2024 around Land Acknowledgements. We will be inviting an indigenous speaker(s) and have a ceremony to acknowledge the land the church has used for over 75 years. 

If you would like more information please contact Leeann Irwin (paxirwin@yahoo.com) or Alison Petersen (alison.petersen1@verizon.net).

April 30 Worship Materials — Earth Month

April 30 Worship Materials — Earth Month

Join us for a special Earth Day Celebration at CCC. Worship begins in person and online at 10:30 AM. The featured speakers is Dr. Beth Norcross. With extensive training and experience in both theology and ecology, Beth Norcross founded and directs the Center for Spirituality in Nature, which offers experiences in nature that open individuals to a lived, loving connection with the Divine Mystery and the natural world. Beth brings to her current work extensive experience in the environmental field, as staff for the US Senate Parks Subcommittee and as Vice President of Conservation for American Rivers. She is also the co-founder of the Green Seminary Initiative and adjunct professor at Wesley Theological Seminary. She has written numerous articles and curricula related to ecology and spirituality.

 

Please join us for coffee and cake to celebrate Earth Day Downstairs in the Social Hall after worship! Remember to add to the Earth Justice Timeline (share the actions you have taken to care for creation). Then go outside and pick up your Native Plant Starter Kit, Test Drive a Nissan Leaf, Tour our Conservation Landscaping and check out Springwell School’s raised garden beds and composting. Learn how to Certify your yard as a Wildlife Habitat!  Plus, check out the activities (and snacks) for kids of all ages!

The following organizations will have tables setup in the Social Hall:
Center for Spirituality in Nature
Natural Wildlife Federation
Justice & Witness Action Network
Wild Earth Spiritual Community
Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake
Hungry Harvest
Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative
Compost Crew
Neighbors of the Northwest Branch
Friends of Sligo Creek
Table of free environmental relevant books
Table announcing the formation of SING (Spirituality in Nature Group)
The Springwell School

 
Download the Bulletins

Join Zoom Worship

 

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

 

Dial In via Phone

 

1-301-715-8592
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

CCC Earth Day Festival 2023

CCC Earth Day Festival 2023

Join us! CCC is hosting a Community Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 30th from 11:30am – 1:30pm. Come down to the Social Hall after church for a cup of coffee, slice of cake and to learn what more you can do to Care for Creation. The following organizations will have tables setup:

  • Center for Spirituality in Nature
  • Natural Wildlife Federation
  • Justice & Witness Action Network
  • Wild Earth Spiritual Community
  • Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake
  • Compost Crew
  • Hungry Harvest
  • Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative
  • Neighbors of the Northwest Branch
  • Friends of Sligo Creek
  • Interfaith Power and Light
  • Through Piscataway Eyes
  • Table of free environmental relevant books
  • Table announcing the formation of SING (Spirituality in Nature Group)
  • The Springwell School

Then step outside to pick up some free Native Plants, test drive an electric car, tour our conservation landscaping and learn how to Certify your yard as a Wildlife Habitat! There will also be activities for kids of all ages! Activities will include: Watercolor painting and coloring, a “Trace Your Foot” activity, and a multi-step “Carbon Footprint Activity” involving both creativity and earth day learning / brainstorming. Additional activities are still being planned!

Questions? For more information, contact Alison Petersen, or the Church Office.

Please Post / Share Widely on Your Community Listservs and Facebook Groups!

 

See also: Sacred Grounds — Caring for Creation

See also: Green Team Corner, April 2023

Sacred Grounds – Caring for Creation

Sacred Grounds – Caring for Creation

For the past three years, CCC has partnered with the National Wildlife Federation, to plant native plants in our yards as a way to stem run off and pollution into the Sligo Creek Watershed. Once again, we are participating and will be distributing free Native Plants to those who pledge to plant them. Our faith calls us to nurture creation. Our local waterways are part of that—it is where we play and a source of sustenance for birds, frogs, fish, and butterflies. Our actions can protect other people downstream from pollution and flooding.

,Make a pledge today to plant natives in your yard, and we’ll provide you with the information you need to put our faith values into practice. By pledging, you’ll get a free starter kit of native plants that you can pickup on Sunday, April 30th (at CCC’s Earth Day Festival) to plant at home!

We’re aiming to recruit 100 homes—will you be one of them?

YOU CAN STILL PLEDGE!

Link to pledge to plant native plants by June 2023 – 

https://support.nwf.org/page/37119/survey/1

Link to apply for Certified Wildlife Habitat –

https://www.nwf.org/certifiedwildlifehabitat

Link to apply for a Garden for Wildlife –
www.nwf.org/gardenforwildlife

See also — CCC Earth Day Festival 2023

See also — Green Team Corner, April 2023 

Green Team Corner, April 2023

Green Team Corner, April 2023

SAVE THE WORLD (AND IT’S FREE)

One of the simplest actions we can take to improve our Earth is to plant trees. Luckily, Montgomery County has made this easy, free, and work free on our part. The county has two programs to plant free trees on your property. They are separate programs that seek to beautify our neighborhoods, reduce energy costs by providing shade, and soak up carbon dioxide from our environment. 

The county will plant street trees that are maintained by the county. The county monitors the trees and if they do not survive the planting, they are replaced at no cost or effort from you. You can request one at the following link:

MCDOT – Trees https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/dot-highway/tree/index.html#Planting
montgomerycountymd.gov

If you have backyard space for a larger shade tree, you can also request a tree at: https://treemontgomery.org/request-a-tree/.

See also — CCC Earth Day Festival 2023

See also — Sacred Grounds: Caring For Creation

May 8 Worship Materials

May 8 Worship Materials

Join us on May 8 at 10:30 AM for a celebration of Mother’s Day and all of the special women in our lives. We will also dedicate the plants prepared for the Native Plant Giveaway.

Download the Bulletins

Join Zoom Worship

https://zoom.us/j/119508399

Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Dial In

1 301 715 8592
1 346 248 7799
1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 119 508 399

Sweep the Creek 4/24/22

Sweep the Creek 4/24/22

Creek Clean Up

The Green Team is pleased to announce that the CCC CYM group will be commemorating Earth Day, April 22nd by participating in the Friends of Sligo Creek “Sweep the Creek” event on Sunday, April 24 from 1- 3pm.

Let’s cheer the youth on as they pick up plastic, metal, glass, and other trash along the creek on Sunday, April 24 (Near Kemp Mill Shopping Center at the intersection of Arcola Ave. and Lamberton Dr.).

Feel free to join them OR do your own part to help keep our local waterways clean and safe by volunteering at several different locations along the Sligo Creek “Sweep”. Check out Times and Locations for Sign Up (pdf). 

Native Plant Give Away May 8, 2022

Native Plant Give Away May 8, 2022

Help people and wildlife thrive in our area! Plant natives! CCC is organizing a native plant distribution for anyone interested in planting seedling in their yard, container, or communal space. We are partnering with Interfaith Light & Power and National Wildlife Federation for this plant giveaway.

To receive your plants (typically 3-5 rooted seedlings), please sign the native plant pledge (https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantPledge). This will give the CCC Green Team a sense of how many we plan to distribute on Mother’s Day after the in-person service (11:30am-12:30pm in the CCC parking lot). Rain or shine!

Sacred Grounds – Planting Hope 2022

Sacred Grounds – Planting Hope 2022

Pledge to Plant Native Plants Helping People and Wildlife


Please join your fellow congregation members in helping people and wildlife by Caring for Creation. We’ll do this by planting native plants in our yards that are suited to the local wildlife, soil and rainfall here in the Maryland/District of Columbia region.

Native plants help protect the local streams and rivers we love and enjoy. These waterways are a source of sustenance for birds, frogs, fish, and butterflies, and a place for children to play. Our actions will protect people who live alongside and downstream from pollution and flooding. All life depends upon water.

By planting native plants, we plant with a purpose and put the teachings of our faith into practice. By working together with people of all faiths we can care for the Earth that we share.

 

Make a pledge today to plant natives in your yard, and we’ll provide you with a starter kit of free plants, as well as the information you need for the plants to thrive. We’re aiming to recruit 200+ homes—will you be one of them?

Native Plants Workshop 4/7/2022

Native Plants Workshop 4/7/2022

Sacred Grounds: Caring for Creation in Montgomery County Using Native Plants to Care for Earth at Home: Creating Joy and Beauty with Wildlife Habitat & Rain Gardens

 

** online workshop **
Thursday, April 7th at 7:30 pm
Register: bit.ly/regMCgarden

Many in our community find joy, peace, and inspiration outdoors. By planting native plants, we can take part in protecting the natural world that nurtures us. Join us virtually from 7:30 pm on Thursday April 7th to learn from experts about how you can create wildlife habitat and protect our local streams by planting native plants. You’ll also learn how you can create and design a rain garden that is eligible for municipal funding worth hundreds or even thousands of dollars – from the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection.

We will share tips on the following:


* What are the best native plants for my yard?
* Where can I buy them?
* How will they help with flooding and pollution into our local streams and Chesapeake Bay?
* Designing a garden with native plants
* Other features to help birds and butterflies thrive at our homes
* County financial aid application/rebate information
* How to be an ambassador for wildlife
and answers to your other questions!

Register and receive the Zoom link here: bit.ly/regMCgarden