This WEBSITE has been CONSOLIDATED into the InterFaith Creation Care South Metro (ICCSM) website as of 2/2022 found at http://iccsmtc.blogspot.com/ . Please check it out for updated information on our group.
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Creation Care Sunday at Prince of Peace
The Prince of Peace (POP) Creation Care Group was supported by InterFaith Creation Care South Metro (ICCSM) during a special Care for Creation weekend at Prince of Peace. The total worship service addressed Care for Creation during all of their services, one on Saturday night (Feb.5, 2022) and two on Sunday morning (Feb. 6, 2022). Music, prayers, videos and sermon addressed the subject. Chris Erickson, who is the leader of both groups had a special video part in the very inspiring sermon given by Sr. Pastor Jeff Marian. You can view the on-line service at this link from Facebook https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1423672871420292 . The sermon begins with a short video at 28:27 with Chris starting at 36:20.
The whole service really stood out as a strong motivational message to protect God's special gift. An alternative to Facebook is this Youtube link that just covers the sermon and runs 14 minutes. Chris will start his comments at 6:50 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5IdiDCKK9w . Pictures of the table display, some of the conversation that were had and volunteers who participated for both the Saturday and Sunday services can be found in the Pictures of Events page of this website.
From the beginning God has called us to care for this planet we call home. It's increasingly clear that we have not done the best job in responding to that call. When we care for Creation we honor the Creator.
What You Can Do About Climate Change
The POP Creation
Care Small Group working with
InterFaith Creation Care South Metro (ICCSM) made a move back to in-person events after being restricted for two years by the Covid 19 pandemic. Using CDC Covid guidelines for indoor gatherings we successfully sponsored the presentation WHAT YOU CAN DO
ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE. We were quite pleased with the participation. It was held Monday, October 25, 2021 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, Burnsville in its newly constructed Chapel. 
Interfaith Creation Care South Metro in which POP Creation Small Group is a part of, in
collaboration with Lakeville Friends of the Environment joined the "Relay for Our Water" which was sponsored by Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light (MNIPL). Our portion of the event occurred September 16th and 17th, 2020. Water from Itasca State Park has been transported by foot, bicycle, canoe and Electric Vehicle around the state by different groups. This "Water Walk" is a Native-American tradition to celebrate the importance of water in our lives. It also draws attention to the Treaties we have with our native neighbors and draws attention to the Enbridge Oil Pipe Line #3. Our group had a "Sacred Encounter" ceremony at South Creek in Lakeville in which we celebrated water and blessed the water on its way back to Itasca. Chris Erickson led a ceremony to honor water. Songs were sung, scripture was read and heartfelt stories about what water means to our lives were told. As we passed the water on we felt a connection and ownership or responsibility to protect our water. Water is Life. We received the water on the 16th and transferred it to the next group on the 17th. It will be returned to Itasca in October at the end of the wild rice harvest.
What You Can Do About Climate Change
Bill Middlecamp, our presenter, after giving his presentation to numerous organizations here locally and out of state via Zoom, including one sponsored by ICCSM in January, was asked to provide this presentation in person. ICCSM recognized how well his presentation was received and saw that a larger audience would gain from it especially considering the recent severe global weather events. He is one of over 20,000 trained Climate Reality leaders from more than 150 countries and is a trained En-ROADS facilitator. He has a BS degree in Meteorology, an MS degree in Computer Science, and is a commissioned United Methodist Earthkeeper. For over a decade, Bill has participated in organizing and delivering presentations on environmental issues related to health, economics, science and solutions to the harmful changes we are seeing. If you were unable to attend the event you can check out the video of the event at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1nB1dXH-muvelm2EcEfuL7vsOhV94AFak/view . An added feature to the event was Chris Erickson singing his newest song What We Can Do. A music video of it can also be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKuGK4rZ2sk . Don't be afraid to sing along.
The included a Climate Reality presentation showing the environmental destruction
we are experiencing today, how we got to this point, and what the future might
hold. Participants then were able to
imagine together what the future could be using En-ROADS, a “choose your own adventure” simulation that uses the
best available science to compute and present the results of choices in energy,
food production, land use, and consumer behavior that we can make now. The En-ROADS tool can be found at https://www.climateinteractive.org/tools/en-roads/ .
This event was sponsored by InterFaith Creation Care South Metro (ICCSM) which is a cooperative effort by creation care stewards from 17 faith communities in the south metro seeking a faith-based approach to responsible care for the planet. Visit our website at http://iccsmtc.blogspot.com/ for more information. Check out pictures from the event in the events page of this website.
Climate Reality/En- ROADS Discussion
The POP Creation Care Small group working within InterFaith Creation Care South Metro (ICCSM) was very pleased with sponsoring the CLIMATE REALITY/En-ROADS discussion of reimagining the
future for God’s Creation. This was a ZOOM presentation held on Monday, January 25th, 2021 at 7pm with an overflow event on Monday, February 1st again at 7pm. The event included a Climate
Reality presentation showing the environmental destruction impacts we are
experiencing today, how we got to this point, and what the future may
hold. Following that participants used En-ROADS to imagine together what our future could be. En-ROADS is a “choose your ending” simulation
that uses some of the best available science to compute and present the results
of choices in energy, food production, land-use and consumer behavior that society
can make today. That tool can be found at https://www.climateinteractive.org/tools/en-roads/. The event was well received.
Bill Middlecamp was our presenter and is one of over 20,000
trained Climate Reality Leaders from more than 150 countries and is a trained
En-ROADS facilitator. Bill has a BS
degree in Meteorology, an MS degree in Computer Science, and is a commissioned
United Methodist Earthkeeper. For over a
decade, Bill has participated in organizing and delivering presentations on
environmental issues related to health, economics, science and solutions to the
harmful changes we are seeing. Check out pictures from this event at the Pictures of Creation Care Events page in this website.
ICCSM is a cooperative effort by creation care stewards from sixteen faith communities in the south metro seeking a faith-based approach to responsible care for the planet. There website can be found at http://iccsmtc.blogspot.com/ .
Relay for our WaterInterfaith Creation Care South Metro in which POP Creation Small Group is a part of, in
Water is under siege from pollution, climate change, mismanagement and corporate environmental disasters. Without clean water, we cannot live. In many of our Native-American cultures, woman are the Keepers of the Water. In recent times many brave women also known as Water Protectors have captured the attention of the world by leading demonstrations at Standing Rock to stop the oil pipelines or Flint, Michigan demanding clean water for our children. The elders understood since the beginning of time of time that clean water is essential for the survival of all living being. It is incumbent on all of us to help raise awareness and protect our water for future generations. Check out the Pictures of Events page for pictures of the event.
Paris to Pittsburgh -- Film Screening
Climate Change in Our Own Backyard with MARK SEELEY
Prince of Peace Creation Care Small Group working with
InterFaith Creation Care South Metro (ICCSM) was very pleased with the nearly 200 individuals who turned out for Dr. Mark Seeley on Sunday May 19, 2019 at St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church Eagan. As U of M Professor Emeritus and Climatologist Dr. Seeley described his observations of the changes in the climate here in Minnesota and the Midwest region. His career has been that of measuring the climate, designing and building instruments, and collecting the data that show the direction and the degree to which the environment is changing. We learned that the government Climate Normals for both temperature and moisture have been rising faster each decade over time at an ever accelerating pace and caused by humans as reported by data and not models. His presentation was sobering and he meant it to be. Several local organizations displayed information in the hallway after the presentation and answered questions about the steps we all can take to preserve the life-sustaining qualities of our environment. A display of electric vehicles with owners from MN EV Owners was located in the parking lot to suggest a future transportation option as a next step. ICCSM is committed to be good stewards of God's creation. We accept that 98% of scientists agree that humans are changing the creation in harmful ways, that we have the ability to mitigate this change and should take appropriate action now and that inaction causes suffering for the poor today and threatens the future for us all. Check out the pictures from the event in the Pictures of Events page.
Celebrating God's Creation - Through Songs and Stories
A fun, family-friendly afternoon of music, storytelling and crafts was enjoyed by individuals of all ages Sunday, October 28, 2018 at Presbyterian Church of the
Apostles in Burnsville. We celebrated God's gift to us: this beautiful planet Earth. Faith inspires us to care for all of God's creation and it was clearly apparent as we all sang our hearts out to some beautiful music and heard some great stories. Following the entertainment we all were inspired by the craft projects that utilized items that we reused from home. The event was sponsored by the many faith communities that make up InterFaith Creation Care South Metro (ICCSM) which Prince of Peace Creation Care Small Group is a member. This was a cooperative effort to seek a faith-based approach to responsible care for the planet. Check out pictures from the event in the Pictures page of this website.
Sacred Encounter with the Earth
The Prince of Peace Creation Care Small Group in cooperation with Interfaith Creation Care South Metro sponsored a unique event the summer of 2018. The event was an interfaith service focused on the celebration and care for God's Creation. It was an opportunity to share songs, stories, poetry and prayers that celebrate our relationship with the Earth. It was held on the 4th Sunday of each month during the summer. The dates were June 24th, July 22nd and September 23rd. It was held from 2 to 3 pm on those days at Caponi Art Park in Eagan. The address is 1220 Diffley Rd, Eagan, 55123. The Capone Art Park website is https://www.caponiartpark.org/about/ . It was a very rewarding experience and appreciated by all those who attended. Check out our pictures in the picture page of this website.
Healthy Planet - Healthy People
There is a strong desire in our community to learn how the changing climate is impacting our health in Minnesota. Attendees to Healthy Planet Healthy People on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at Prince of Peace, proved this by their attention and strong participation in discussions following testimonials by Bill Middlecamp and Kay Erickson and our headline speaker. That speaker Dr. Bruce Snyder, MD, FAAN, Clinical Professor of Neurology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine and member of Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate spoke about the interaction between climate change and our health. Sponsored by Interfaith Creation Care South Metro (ICCSM), which Prince of Peace Creation Care Small Group is a member, this was the fourth in a series of presentations of various aspects of climate change. The ICCSM is a cooperative effort of now eleven different faith communities in the south metro area seeking a faith-based approach to responsible care for the planet.
We Can Do This: A Clean Energy Future!
The Prince of Peace Creation Care Small Group working with InterFaith
Creation Care South Metro (IFCCSM), now an organization of ten faith communities in the south metro, had another successful speaking event at Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran Church Prior Lake on Saturday, April 22, 2017. Dr. Jay Coggins who spoke at our last event in Rosemount in November 2016 spoke this time on "A Clean Energy Future!". Dr. Coggins is an Environmental Economist and teaching professor at the University of Minnesota. He researches air and water policy, air pollution and public health. Those who attended received a stimulating discussion on how our future energy solutions are available now and are being utilized. It was well received.
The POP Creation Care Small Group took on the challenge of managing the recycling
effort, during the 26th annual Mega Sale. The dates of the sale were August 25, 26 and 27, 2016. We collected paper and plastic bags during the collection days and sorted them by type and size for reuse during the sale. We also collected cardboard and waste paper and processed it in the crusher for further resale. We also collected recyclable glass, metal and plastic and facilitated their processing. During the sale we made available the sorted bags to the different departments for customer purchases. We also coordinated the composting of food waste. We had a great time. Pictures of our effort can be found in the Pictures of Events page.
Climate Care: Taking Next Steps
The nine churches of Interfaith Creation Care, which Prince of Peace is a strong participant, welcomed more than 200 congregants from these churches for this eye opening event. The theme was that there is hope from taking care of God's Creation when we all join together to take steps individually and as a people. Well-known meteorologist and author Paul Douglas kicked off the afternoon sharing stories about people who are making a difference and given the science of climate change and how we are being called to respond. Representatives from a local organization called "Youth be the Spark" a program of Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light (MNIPL) met with youth from the nine churches. A community dialogue about the issues and what can be done followed in break our sessions. The event was held Sunday, January 31st, 2016 from 1-3:30 pm at St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church Eagan.
Check out our Facebook page for Interfaith Creation Care more information about our organization of churches at https://www.facebook.com/groups/209905522678735/ .
Learn about Solar Energy for your home and community
This event was held Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Burnsville. Home owners Ross and Lisa LaMothe shared their journey in installing solar panels on their home to gain energy independence. The Energy Services Representative, Mike Plutowski, informed us about how Dakota Electric is supporting residential solar. Trevor Drake of Clean Energy Resources Team (CERT) also provided vital information about the prospects of solar gardens as an alternative for home owners who cannot install their own solar panels. Sean Gosiewski the Executive Director from Alliance for Sustainability also was on hand to answer any questions about solar energy for Xcel energy customers. The event was a success. Those in attendance gained an enormous wealth of information on Solar energy from a host of speakers. Pictures of the event can be found in the pictures page of this website. The power point presentation that the LaMothe's discussed is now posted in the Making a Difference page of this website for those who want to study their efforts in depth.
Film screening of the Journey of Hope.
This event was held Sunday, April 19, 2015 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Burnsville. Robin Riley's recently finished film "Journey of Hope" was viewed and discussed. The film documents how the Minneapolis congregation Mayflower United Church of Christ courageously forged the path to become energy sustainable by 2030. It brings new insights into how faith organizations can tackle climate change issues and forge a new path for building sustainable communities of hope and promise. Pictures of the event can be found in the pictures page of this website. The video is now posted in the Video page of this website for those who missed the showing.
Woman's Retreat
The Women's Retreat on October 24-26, 2014 with leadership from Creation Care Group had a theme of "Nurture Nature, Nurture Self". Four speakers addressed the issues of caring for our planet and caring for ourselves. Fifty two women attended.
Environment Solutions Event
Our Creation Care team with the assistance of the MN Plug-in Vehicle Owners Circle held an Environment Solutions Event on Sunday, September 14th, 2014 in the parking lot of the church. The event showcased some of the plug-in electric vehicles that are available to help reduce our family's carbon emissions.
Earth Day Recognition Event
This event held at POP on April 20th, 2014 was the first event sponsored by the now renamed POP Creation Care Group. Pastor Jeff Marion gave a sermon on taking care of God's Creation. Two of our members Maure Creager and Kay Erickson gave personal testimonies also during the service. After the service the congregation was invited into the community room to view the various table displays showing the impacts on Climate Change and the options to address it. Remember to check out the pictures from all of our events in the Events page of this website.
Creation Sings
Justice for Creation sponsored this event where the
congregation came together one evening May 25th, 2008 to recognize and celebrate the changes being made on behalf of Creation. Entertainment was provided by musicians and performers including Heatherlyn, Paul Dean and Aaron Hanson.
2nd Creation Fair
This fair showed the various ways that we all can contribute to improving God's creation. There were 22 tables displaying the many ways we can change. The displays included Buying Local, Supporting Local Farmers Market, Using reusable shopping bags, Shopping wisely, Stopping Junk Mail, Using non-toxic cleaners, Sustainable Landscaping, Reusing old tshirts as diapers, Using Reusable water bottles, Recycle your waste, Composting, Save Energy at home, Recycle your household items, Use Wind energy, The POP energy team, Entertain responsibly, Switch to CFLs, Minnesota Energy Challenge, Buy products made from recycled materials and many more. It was held May 18, 2008. The Fair was very popular.
"Inconvenient Truth" the Movie Aired
The movie was shown in the community room in February of 2007. A discussion followed.
Reusable Shopping Bags at Cub
Cub Foods donated reusable grocery shopping bags and the team helped bag groceries on October 6, 2007 with them. The customers received the first reusable bags.
Alternatives to Disposable Gift Wrap
Interactive displays of alternatives to disposable gift wrap for the holidays were a big hit. The first of this effort was November 18,19, 2006. We encouraged using reusable and compostable supplies for their parties.
Creation Fair
A Creation Fair was held October 7 and 8th, 2006. It was a defining event. Pastor Mike Foss asked everyone at the services to join him in attending the fair. Held in the community room, it emphasized through experience displays the smell, touch and sound of God's creation. We showed how creation was in crisis, the 1st aid for creation and invited people to take a pledge to make changes. Visitors were given a pamphlet with a bible verse, contemplation, question and prayer for each day of creation. Booths were set up reflecting each of these creation themes and our responsibilities for them.
Earth Day Free Tree Distribution
In recognition of Earth Day on April 23rd, 2006 we distributed donated trees from Dakota Electric Association. (This became an annual distribution of trees from this source up until the recent years.)
Will Steger 2nd Presentation to POP
Will Steger, famous Minnesota Arctic explorer, gives his second talk to POP. The topic this time is how faith had sustained him in his years of exploring. The date was March 26, 2006.
Grant Money Utilized
Justice for Creation in early 2006 received a grant that was made available to churches to reduce landfill waste. The money was used to purchase 21 recycling and waste containers, display boards and other equipment for our mission. We purchased industrial reusable bags from TARPS to sell to people to discourage using plastic bags. We also purchased 400 spray bottles and ingredients to make "Alice's Wonder Spray" a homemade natural cleaning solution. We also purchased 400 reusable water bottles as well as 600 pencils made of recycled newspapers with the saying "Take good care of God's Creation" all of which were given out at event and Sunday displays.
Diaper Ministry begins under Justice for Creation
Sometime during 2005 the Diaper Ministry began initially under the Justice for Creation umbrella. This ministry was started by encouraging the donation of t-shirts that were then made into diapers.
CFL Light Bulb Project
One of our first projects was to introduce CFL light bulbs as a way to conserve energy. We bought about 100 and sold them for $1.00 while the stores sold them for much more. This effort was in 2005.
Mega Sale Handbook
Our group took its direction and encouragement early in its formation from Congregations Caring from Creation (C-3) a metro wide program. When they heard about the POP mega sale we were asked to write a handbook in 2005, on how to conduct such a sale. It was made available in paper copy and on online. Our group became a mainstay contributor to the Mega Sale and its recycling efforts.
Justice for Creation Started
Pastor Dan Anderson who was on staff at Prince of Peace started a "justice" mission probably at the end of 2004. The creation care component was mostly recycling of used paper within the church offices. In June of 2005 members of the "justice" team broke into interest groups. With just a few members "Justice for Creation was started. One weekend a month from 2005 through 2006 we had an information table between services to promote recycling, energy saving, and environmental issues.
The
screening of the National Geographic film Paris to Pittsburgh was a big draw
to many south metro faith communities. Prince of Peace Creation Care Small Group working with InterFaith Creation Care South Metro (ICCSM) (now a coalition of Creation
Care stewards from 14 churches) sponsored the screenings at five south metro
churches from September 11 through October 29th , 2019. The film highlighted the impassioned efforts
of Americans who are demanding and developing real solutions in the face of
climate change. The federal government
has stepped back from supporting the Paris Accords but that is not stopping the
American people in all walks of life, as shown in the film, to step forward and
offset for this action. As the weather
grows more deadly and destructive, cities and citizens are taking action. Following the screening there were some great
discussions addressing many concerns.
The most obvious question raised was “What can I do”. Answers were ably provided and all were
directed to handouts provided by ICCSM at their table or in some cases other
groups present and to the ICCSM website at http://iccsmtc.blogspot.com
. Those churches providing screenings
were Risen Savior Catholic in Burnsville, St. John’s Lutheran in Lakeville,
Shepherd of the Lake Lutheran in Prior Lake, The Well United Methodist in
Rosemount, and St. Thomas Becket Catholic in Eagan. Light refreshments were provided.
ICCSM is committed to be good stewards of God’s
creation. We accept that 98% of
scientists agree that humans are changing the creation in harmful ways. That we have the ability to mitigate this
change and should take appropriate action now.
We recognize our moral imperative to act and that inaction causes
suffering for the poor today and threatens the future for us all. We encourage you to view the ICCSM website at
http://iccsmtc.blogspot.com
to learn about our organization. We are
always looking for more participation. So
please join us. Pictures from the event can be found in the Pictures of Events page in this website.
Climate Change in Our Own Backyard with MARK SEELEY
Prince of Peace Creation Care Small Group working with
Celebrating God's Creation - Through Songs and Stories
A fun, family-friendly afternoon of music, storytelling and crafts was enjoyed by individuals of all ages Sunday, October 28, 2018 at Presbyterian Church of the
Sacred Encounter with the Earth
The Prince of Peace Creation Care Small Group in cooperation with Interfaith Creation Care South Metro sponsored a unique event the summer of 2018. The event was an interfaith service focused on the celebration and care for God's Creation. It was an opportunity to share songs, stories, poetry and prayers that celebrate our relationship with the Earth. It was held on the 4th Sunday of each month during the summer. The dates were June 24th, July 22nd and September 23rd. It was held from 2 to 3 pm on those days at Caponi Art Park in Eagan. The address is 1220 Diffley Rd, Eagan, 55123. The Capone Art Park website is https://www.caponiartpark.org/about/ . It was a very rewarding experience and appreciated by all those who attended. Check out our pictures in the picture page of this website.
Healthy Planet - Healthy People
There is a strong desire in our community to learn how the changing climate is impacting our health in Minnesota. Attendees to Healthy Planet Healthy People on Sunday, November 12, 2017 at Prince of Peace, proved this by their attention and strong participation in discussions following testimonials by Bill Middlecamp and Kay Erickson and our headline speaker. That speaker Dr. Bruce Snyder, MD, FAAN, Clinical Professor of Neurology, University of Minnesota School of Medicine and member of Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate spoke about the interaction between climate change and our health. Sponsored by Interfaith Creation Care South Metro (ICCSM), which Prince of Peace Creation Care Small Group is a member, this was the fourth in a series of presentations of various aspects of climate change. The ICCSM is a cooperative effort of now eleven different faith communities in the south metro area seeking a faith-based approach to responsible care for the planet.
We Can Do This: A Clean Energy Future!
The Prince of Peace Creation Care Small Group working with InterFaith
We Can Do This: Climate and the
Economics of a Renewable Future
Dr. Jay
Coggins, Environmental Economist and professor at the U of MN,
who researches
air & water policy, air pollution and public health explained market-based approaches to environmental protection at this event at Rosemount United Methodist Church on November 12, 2016. The POP Creation Care small group is an active member of the InterFaith Creation Care: South Metro (IFCCSM) who sponsored this event. Those who attended learned that environmental destruction has its biggest
impact on the poor and future generations.
As stewards of God’s Creation, we should be very concerned. But perhaps the biggest concern the average
person has about mitigation is the cost—would it threaten our jobs, harm the
economy, or diminish our bountiful lives? It may come as a surprise that
inaction has a higher cost. The IFCCSM is a group of advocates from nine south metro churches who meet to support and
encourage each other in caring for God’s creation. Check out pictures from this event in the PICTURES page of our website.
Prince of Peace Mega Sale: Recycling Team Effort
The POP Creation Care Small Group took on the challenge of managing the recycling
Climate Care: Taking Next Steps
The nine churches of Interfaith Creation Care, which Prince of Peace is a strong participant, welcomed more than 200 congregants from these churches for this eye opening event. The theme was that there is hope from taking care of God's Creation when we all join together to take steps individually and as a people. Well-known meteorologist and author Paul Douglas kicked off the afternoon sharing stories about people who are making a difference and given the science of climate change and how we are being called to respond. Representatives from a local organization called "Youth be the Spark" a program of Minnesota Interfaith Power and Light (MNIPL) met with youth from the nine churches. A community dialogue about the issues and what can be done followed in break our sessions. The event was held Sunday, January 31st, 2016 from 1-3:30 pm at St. Thomas Becket Catholic Church Eagan.
Check out our Facebook page for Interfaith Creation Care more information about our organization of churches at https://www.facebook.com/groups/209905522678735/ .
Creation Care Recognition
Worship services on June 20th and 21st, 2015 gave recognition to God's creation and the importance of the caring for it. The theme focused on how we can care for God's creation for the next generation. Vacation Bible School kids participated in the worship service. The services were outdoors and there were games for the kids, live music, a cook out. Pastor Claire Cassell gave the sermon. An audio of that sermon can be found in the Audio section of the INSPRATIONAL MESSAGES page on this website. Our group was introduced and provided assistance in making sure that trash was recycled appropriately.
Learn about Solar Energy for your home and community
This event was held Sunday, April 12, 2015 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Burnsville. Home owners Ross and Lisa LaMothe shared their journey in installing solar panels on their home to gain energy independence. The Energy Services Representative, Mike Plutowski, informed us about how Dakota Electric is supporting residential solar. Trevor Drake of Clean Energy Resources Team (CERT) also provided vital information about the prospects of solar gardens as an alternative for home owners who cannot install their own solar panels. Sean Gosiewski the Executive Director from Alliance for Sustainability also was on hand to answer any questions about solar energy for Xcel energy customers. The event was a success. Those in attendance gained an enormous wealth of information on Solar energy from a host of speakers. Pictures of the event can be found in the pictures page of this website. The power point presentation that the LaMothe's discussed is now posted in the Making a Difference page of this website for those who want to study their efforts in depth.
Film screening of the Journey of Hope.
This event was held Sunday, April 19, 2015 from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Burnsville. Robin Riley's recently finished film "Journey of Hope" was viewed and discussed. The film documents how the Minneapolis congregation Mayflower United Church of Christ courageously forged the path to become energy sustainable by 2030. It brings new insights into how faith organizations can tackle climate change issues and forge a new path for building sustainable communities of hope and promise. Pictures of the event can be found in the pictures page of this website. The video is now posted in the Video page of this website for those who missed the showing.
Woman's Retreat
The Women's Retreat on October 24-26, 2014 with leadership from Creation Care Group had a theme of "Nurture Nature, Nurture Self". Four speakers addressed the issues of caring for our planet and caring for ourselves. Fifty two women attended.
Environment Solutions Event
Our Creation Care team with the assistance of the MN Plug-in Vehicle Owners Circle held an Environment Solutions Event on Sunday, September 14th, 2014 in the parking lot of the church. The event showcased some of the plug-in electric vehicles that are available to help reduce our family's carbon emissions.
Earth Day Recognition Event
This event held at POP on April 20th, 2014 was the first event sponsored by the now renamed POP Creation Care Group. Pastor Jeff Marion gave a sermon on taking care of God's Creation. Two of our members Maure Creager and Kay Erickson gave personal testimonies also during the service. After the service the congregation was invited into the community room to view the various table displays showing the impacts on Climate Change and the options to address it. Remember to check out the pictures from all of our events in the Events page of this website.
Creation Sings
Justice for Creation sponsored this event where the
2nd Creation Fair
This fair showed the various ways that we all can contribute to improving God's creation. There were 22 tables displaying the many ways we can change. The displays included Buying Local, Supporting Local Farmers Market, Using reusable shopping bags, Shopping wisely, Stopping Junk Mail, Using non-toxic cleaners, Sustainable Landscaping, Reusing old tshirts as diapers, Using Reusable water bottles, Recycle your waste, Composting, Save Energy at home, Recycle your household items, Use Wind energy, The POP energy team, Entertain responsibly, Switch to CFLs, Minnesota Energy Challenge, Buy products made from recycled materials and many more. It was held May 18, 2008. The Fair was very popular.
"Inconvenient Truth" the Movie Aired
The movie was shown in the community room in February of 2007. A discussion followed.
Reusable Shopping Bags at Cub
Cub Foods donated reusable grocery shopping bags and the team helped bag groceries on October 6, 2007 with them. The customers received the first reusable bags.
Alternatives to Disposable Gift Wrap
Interactive displays of alternatives to disposable gift wrap for the holidays were a big hit. The first of this effort was November 18,19, 2006. We encouraged using reusable and compostable supplies for their parties.
Creation Fair
A Creation Fair was held October 7 and 8th, 2006. It was a defining event. Pastor Mike Foss asked everyone at the services to join him in attending the fair. Held in the community room, it emphasized through experience displays the smell, touch and sound of God's creation. We showed how creation was in crisis, the 1st aid for creation and invited people to take a pledge to make changes. Visitors were given a pamphlet with a bible verse, contemplation, question and prayer for each day of creation. Booths were set up reflecting each of these creation themes and our responsibilities for them.
Earth Day Free Tree Distribution
In recognition of Earth Day on April 23rd, 2006 we distributed donated trees from Dakota Electric Association. (This became an annual distribution of trees from this source up until the recent years.)
Will Steger 2nd Presentation to POP
Will Steger, famous Minnesota Arctic explorer, gives his second talk to POP. The topic this time is how faith had sustained him in his years of exploring. The date was March 26, 2006.
Grant Money Utilized
Justice for Creation in early 2006 received a grant that was made available to churches to reduce landfill waste. The money was used to purchase 21 recycling and waste containers, display boards and other equipment for our mission. We purchased industrial reusable bags from TARPS to sell to people to discourage using plastic bags. We also purchased 400 spray bottles and ingredients to make "Alice's Wonder Spray" a homemade natural cleaning solution. We also purchased 400 reusable water bottles as well as 600 pencils made of recycled newspapers with the saying "Take good care of God's Creation" all of which were given out at event and Sunday displays.
Diaper Ministry begins under Justice for Creation
Sometime during 2005 the Diaper Ministry began initially under the Justice for Creation umbrella. This ministry was started by encouraging the donation of t-shirts that were then made into diapers.
CFL Light Bulb Project
One of our first projects was to introduce CFL light bulbs as a way to conserve energy. We bought about 100 and sold them for $1.00 while the stores sold them for much more. This effort was in 2005.
Mega Sale Handbook
Our group took its direction and encouragement early in its formation from Congregations Caring from Creation (C-3) a metro wide program. When they heard about the POP mega sale we were asked to write a handbook in 2005, on how to conduct such a sale. It was made available in paper copy and on online. Our group became a mainstay contributor to the Mega Sale and its recycling efforts.
Justice for Creation Started
Pastor Dan Anderson who was on staff at Prince of Peace started a "justice" mission probably at the end of 2004. The creation care component was mostly recycling of used paper within the church offices. In June of 2005 members of the "justice" team broke into interest groups. With just a few members "Justice for Creation was started. One weekend a month from 2005 through 2006 we had an information table between services to promote recycling, energy saving, and environmental issues.
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