Perth Event for kids and carers: The Earth is God's

TEAR Australia is holding The Earth is God’s: A time for kids to explore God’s call to care for creation. The workshop will link the global with the local and looks at how we can make a difference, including games and other fun stuff for kids and parents. It will be held on Wednesday 11 July, 9.30am–12.30pm, at Earthwise, Subiaco. Cost is $5. For more info and to RSVP contact Steve McKinnon on 0416 118 185 or email stevemckinnon1 (at) hotmail.com.

Encouraging quote for today

"How would you know if your mission on earth is accomplished? If you're alive - it's not." Richard Bach

Free environmental events for kids at the Grove Library (Cottesloe, Perth)

Snakes Alive!

During the July school holidays, kids can join Garry Davies who will explore the world of reptiles.
Gary is the Senior Reptile handler for the West Australian Reptile Park.
Gary will offer a close up and personal experience with some of Australia’s most feared animals during a free one hour session.
Children will be able to experience reptiles up close in a safe and controlled environment.
Date: 19th July
Time: 1.30pm – 2.30PM
Place: The Grove Library
“Suitable for children aged 6 – 12 years”.
Bookings essential as places are limited
FREE EVENT

School Holiday Challenge with Earth Carers – @ The Grove Library

Hey Kids
Are you ready for the Waste & Wheelie Bins Board Game Challenge?
Earth Carers staff from the Western Metropolitan Regional Council will visit The Grove Library on:
Date: Friday 20 July 2012
Time 11.30am – 2.30pm
Place: The Grove Library
Children of all ages can participate in the interactive waste education games, each with a different sustainability message.
Games include the giant ‘waste and wheelie bins’ board game, waste sorting game, Olympic compost throwing and battery relay.
A colouring-in station will also be here on the day.
No bookings are required.
FREE EVENT

Saving our churches easier than we think?

"Mainline renewal is, as one Lutheran pastor told me, "not rocket science." As he said, "You preach the gospel, offer hospitality, and pay attention to worship and people's spiritual lives. Frankly, you take Christianity seriously a a way of life."
... congregations have found new vitality through an intentional and transformative engagement  with Christian tradition as embodied in faith practices. Typically, they have rediscovered the riches of the Christian past and practice simple, but profound, things like discernment, hospitality, testimony, contemplation, and justice. They reach back to ancient wisdom and reach out through a life sustained by Christian devotional and moral practices. They know the biblical story and their own story. They focus more on God's grace in the world than on the eternal state of their own souls." Diana Butler Bass, Christianity for the Rest of Us, Haper One, 2006, pp. 7-8

New research on traits linked to sustainable behaviour

An interesting article in the Huff Post on why people 'go green' http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/06/14/sustainable-behavior-study_n_1597630.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003

The new research has found that "countries in which the populace was concerned with having high social cohesion or having tolerance and respect also scored highly with regards to environmental and social sustainability. People who value social responsibility among business leaders and those societies that had higher trust in one another were also more likely to be more focused on sustainability.
On the other hand, some traits tied to sustainability were less than obvious. For example, sustainable habits and practices were tied closely to countries where high levels of pay were important to people. Conversely, populations that were considered "unselfish" or focused on equality for all were not as likely to practice sustainable behaviors."

Although this research is based on country wide traits, I think it gives some encouragement for the likelihood of sustainable behaviours in churches. After all, one of our biggest assets is our social capital, including things like social cohesion, trust, tolerance and respect within our communities. Also, we believe in the importance of social justice and responsibility so I imagine we value this among business leaders.

I am less surprised than the author of the article about the link with high levels of pay as there is often a link between environmental concern and wealth. Though one should be careful in saying this because the poor definitely care about the environment - they feel the direct affects of degradation of the local environment long before the rich, but often they don't have time to think about broader environmental issues when they are struggling just to survive.

The last point though, about countries with a focus on equality being less likely to practice sustainable behaviours, I find a bit more confusing. Perhaps this is more coincidence than correlation, as more selfish countries like the US and Aus are richer and thus tend to focus more on sustainability.