Living the Solutions

Living the Solutions
Garden Ministry at Immanuel
Immanuel Presbyterian Church of Anchorage recently met to discuss putting legs on their vision statement for ministry.  One ministry they have decided to design is some form of Church Garden ministry.

Nationally, garden ministry has been gaining attention as it allows the church to reach out in ministry to people beyond the local church, especially low income people who do not own land.  Some of the benefits of garden ministry include these:

• Garden ministry increases family independence by allowing people to grow their own food;
• garden ministry helps congregations to connect with low income people an form better relationships in life and ministry;
• and garden ministry increases helps congregations to learn and teach about the environmental value of growing food locally (no CO2 emissions for transportation), as well as methods for growing things in more environmentally friendly ways than what happens in most commercial farming.

Immanuel Presbyterian Church has only just decided to begin designing their own Garden Ministry approach.  This year, they hope to continue developing the plan, and to make the preparations needed to be ready for next year's growing season.    

Building with Local Materials--Clay Straw-build at Bioshelter
Experiments on living into sustainable life can sometimes result in a more efficient and comfortable life, as well.  That is the hope of Cindee and Curt Karns at the Alaskan EcoEscape Bioshelter and Permaculture Center.  This summer they are offering classes on building with locally harvested clay and straw.

The classes will offer a "hands-on" learning experience at the Bioshelter near Eagle River.  Participants will learn about the breathability, thermal mass value, and ecological benefits of clay construction. They will then practice, first by making the clay slip and adding the components necessary for proper construction, and then by acutally constructing a wall in a new, clay-straw greenhouse.

The first class will be June 1 and 2.  The instructor will be the well-known clay-straw builder, Lasse Holmes of Homer.  Classes with Lasse Holmes cost $250 for the weekend.  There are still two slots open

A number of participants indicated they could not come on that date.  Therefore, a second class will be held on June 8-9.  Cindee Karns will be the instructor, following Lasse Holmes' teaching.  Classes with Cindee Karns cost $50 for the weekend.

For information on the classes, email: alaskanecoescape@yahoo.com

For a meditation on how the Karnses see this as a response of faith, see Curt's Blog From the Bioshelter, reflecting on the Lord's Prayer and Philippians 4:8.

http://curtkarns.blogspot.com/

Earthcare Concern
NOAA--400 ppm CO2 -- May 9 marked the first time in millions for so much greenhouse gas
One of the most important faith issues of our day: how will humanity respond to the catastrophic impact humanity's current lifestyle is having on life today, and will have for future generations.  In Alaska Kivalina, Nowtok and Koyukuk already stand as poster-children for the impact it is having in our own state.  But the projected impact on all life in the lifetimes of young people alive today, and for their children, is hard to believe.

http://researchmatters.noaa.gov/news/Pages/CarbonDioxideatMaunaLoareaches400ppm.aspx

Since Earthcare is the most urgent global concern for people of our generation, this blog would love to hear what disciples of Jesus Christ are doing to live into a different, life-sustaining way of life.





Possibilities for the Future
The Economics of Happiness is an informative video exploring economics that do not exploit or overconsume land or people.  The video has become available on a pay-per-view basis through VIMEO. 

Although The Economics of Happiness is not from an explicitly Christian source, it is a thought provoking video.  The video can be used by groups interested in exploring the signs of the times we are in, and interesting possibilities for the future.