"Never doubt that a small, group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
- Margaret Mead
How to start a creation care committee
Step 1 - Find some like minded people who can help you. Doing it alone is not as easy or fun.
Step 2 - Find out from your congregation's leadership what the requirements are of starting a committee. There may not be any and all you have to do is place an announcement in the bulletin or newsletter or make an announcement at your worship service. Some congregations are more complicated and you will have to work a little harder. Don't be discouraged if you run into some opposition. Some congregation leaders are intimidated about a group that may cause them to rethink the way they are doing things and may be worried that you will embarrass them for having done things "wrong" in the past.
You may find it easier to form a subcommittee of another committee already in place, often this is the Social Concerns Committee or the Ministry Committee. You may consider starting a less formal organization like a "Club" or "Team" instead.
If the congregation will not allow even an informal committee, which is really rare, you may want to hold meetings away from the congregation's facilities such as a coffee house or someone's home. These organizations are more difficult to organize because you don't have the community's facilities, e.g. bulletins, newsletters, etc. at your disposal.
Step 3 - Call a meeting. Don't get discouraged if you have a small turnout. Jump right in and start brainstorming ideas. Keep good notes and then prioritize your ideas. Using the KIPL covenant is a good place to start. Use ideas that have worked for other congregations there are many ideas on the KIPL website. Start small and don't try to change the world overnight. Offer baby steps that are easy before tackling the more challenging steps.
"It does not matter how slow you go, as ling as you don't stop." - Confucius
Creation care meetings suggestions:
- Allow for time to share. Many people like having others to talk to about this subject.
- Include a prayer. Keeping the faith component is nourishing and sustaining.
- Elect a leader whose responsibility it is to send announcements to everyone and include the announcements in the bulletin or newsletter.
- Have someone to keep notes so that you won't have to start from scratch every time.
- Hold the meetings at regular intervals so that people can plan ahead.
- Hold the meetings at a central location or at a time (before or after worship) when people are already together in order to reduce our impact on creation.
- Find things to reach out to the broader community, don't work in a bubble:
o Have "green tips" in the bulletin or newletter
o Make it known what you are accomplishing so that your actions will teach others.
o Encourage the pastor, rabbi or imam to preach about creation at workship. Show them sample sermons.
o Find ways to include creation care in the worship on special occasions, e.g. Earth Day, Hanukkah, Advent, Feast of St. Francis, etc.
o Have a creation care booth at other congregation events to help in the recruitment of members and to show your accomplishments
