Calendar
The amount of resources borrowed from our Earth to create the buildings in which we spend 93% of our lives is staggering. If we look at just the residential building industry, we see that we are building homes with a life span of 40-100 years, with the interior materials having an even shorter lifespan. Through this discussion,Caroline Kostak, secretary of the Texas Gulf Coast Region chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, will look at how we can meet the need to shelter and provide work space for a growing population while also being respectful of the resources given to us on Earth.  We will explore different strategies that can lead to efficient resource management and produce beautiful, healthy, and efficient buildings that celebrate the gifts and abundance of the Earth while also protecting them. Caroline draws from her experience as a NASA Flight Controller, constructing one of the highest performance structures ever built – the International Space Station – and many conversations with space travelers who have seen first-hand the fragility and beauty of our Earth from a distinct vantage point. Her work with space construction has led directly to her working in construction on Earth, as this broadened perspective helped her see the importance of being a good steward of the precious Earth we’ve been asked to care for. After Caroline’s talk, there will be time for Q&A.  Please register for this talk, and you will receive an invitation to the web meeting. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to attend an Adult Forum that addresses scripture and science. Lisa Brenskelle & Elmer Ledesma, leaders of the Creation Care Team at Christ the King, will consider: Is there conflict or connection between scripture & science? If there is a connection, what connection exists? If a connection exists, then scientific understanding matters for people of faith – but, how can they distinguish good science from “fake news� Join the Church for this insightful Adult Forum!
Metro buses 41 and 27 stop nearby the Church.
On March 31, 2019, from 5-7 p.m., eco-theologian The Rev. Michael Dowd will discuss the convergence of science, inspiration, and sustainability with a multimedia presentation at the First Unitarian-Universalist Church of Houston, Museum District Campus, 5200 Fannin St. For more information and to register, visit eventbrite.com.
Faith Climate Action Week will take place for ten days in April during Earth Month. It will focus on how we can take action to protect our climate.
Celebrations, sermons, service projects, events, and nature walks will be held, all week. Sign up now and be the first to receive information on how to participate!
We will be focusing on ways we can green our facilities and homes, take action locally, and advocate nationally for positive steps towards a sustainable, 100% renewable us energy future. Join for a whole week of Creation celebration and carbon-cutting activities. Sign up to receive information and activities around this exciting event.
The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites houses of worship
& their members to learn how they can go solar for less as part of the
Houston Central Solar Co-Op. A co-op leverages bulk-purchasing power to
get discounted pricing. Each participant gets an individual solar quote, but a
single installer is selected for the group.
Neighbors in the Houston area have already formed a solar co-op to save money
and make going solar easier, with the help of nonprofit Solar United Neighbors.
Houston Renewable Energy Group (HREG), the South Union Community
Development Corporation, and the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston
are sponsoring the co-op. The group already has over 30 participants.
At this informational session, you’ll learn how solar works, how it can be financed,
how it is installed, and how you can join the Co-Op. For homeowners, this is the last year to get the full solar tax credit, so come learn how you can participate!
Our speaker, Dori Wolfe, is founder of two solar energy companies, and has worked to bring community solar projects to fruition since 2012.
Going Green in Houses of Worship – Learn from Others!
The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston invites you to learn how houses of worship in Houston are going green and consider what you could do in your own house of worship. Join speakers of a variety of faith backgrounds who will discuss work in their houses of worship to go green in their building, grounds, worship services, community service projects, advocacy, educational programs, and more. After each speaker presents on their work, we will have break-out sessions where you can discuss your challenges in going green in your house of worship and get tips from others. People of all faiths are encouraged to attend, as are representatives of local environmental non-profits that would like to work with people of faith on environmental issues. Please join us! The Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston acts to empower the faith community in the greater Houston area to act and advocate on behalf of the environment. For more information about this event, or the Interfaith Environmental Network of Houston, please contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.
On Jan. 26, from 9:45-11 a.m., Christ the King Lutheran Church will host a presentation by Dr. Stephen Long, a public health physician, on the EAT Lancet Commission on Food, Planet & Health: Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems report. This study, compiled by 37 scientists and other experts from 16 countries, aims to establish a global food economy that could combat chronic diseases in wealthy nations like ours and provide better nutrition for poor ones, all without destroying the planet. For more information, see the Facebook event.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2020 is The Wonders of Nature.
Lady beetles, or ladybugs, have long been recognized as one of the best biological controls for many insect pests in both home gardens and agri-business. The diversity in this family of insects has been well-characterized yet they have largely been represented by only a few select species which have been introduced in the U.S. via different methods. So, who are our native lady beetles? What are their dietary preferences and habitat needs? This presentation is an introduction to some of the native lady beetles in the greater Houston area and an overview of their biology and habitat needs. Additionally, the presentation will explore threats to lady beetle populations, how iNaturalist can be used as a tool to discover who our native lady beetles, and some of the misconceptions about these fascinating insects. Join this conversation with Rebecca Lloyd, Texas Master Naturalist, as we wonder at Texas Lady beetles! Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions about this talk.
Jubilee for the Earth
2020 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation
Tuesday, Sept. 1, 7 p.m., online
Join with Christians of all traditions in a Jubilee for the Earth, an observance of the 2020 World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation. This ecumenical service, hosted by Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston, will be a time to pray, to praise, to profess our faith, to confess, and to leave empowered to lead transformed lives.
To join this service, use this link:
https://ctkelc.us14.list-
manage.com/track/click?u=fc688c254497a823dbdfd13b9&id=ab685b6ecf&e=8d08aaba44
For more information, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com
You’re never too young to learn about the natural world around you! Join Trails As Parks naturalists as we explore a “hole†new world looking for animal burrows found in our backyards and local parks. This program is designed for our little, beginner naturalists, ages 5-10. Face coverings are required.