Enough for Everyone

Back on the bike, and lovin' it

Recently I started riding my bicycle to work again. I first started cycling several years ago when I inherited a bike from a friend who moved cross-country. I had been contemplating purchasing a bike anyway, so I was thrilled to get a good one, just my size, for free! I promptly had it serviced with a tune-up, bought a helmet and lock and some other gear, and started learning routes around town that felt safe and manageable. (Louisville isn't a particularly bike-friendly city, though efforts are being made to improve existing bike paths, build new ones and paint bike lanes onto streets that get new pavement.)

Then I had an accident, and it took a while to heal and re-gain my confidence. Just as I started riding again, a friend was killed while riding his bicycle, at a complicated intersection I traversed (and dreaded) every day on my way to work. That kept me off the bike even longer. I would ride occasionally, but only for recreation in parks. I was afraid to make cycling a primary mode of transportation, because doing so involved streets and cars, and I feared drivers who aren't educated or aware enough to share the road responsibly with cyclists. Recently I began reading about bike safety and learning laws and strategies, and sure enough, my readiness and confidence returned.

There are so many reasons I love riding my bike! First of all, it's just plain fun. Riding a bike was a simple, joyful part of childhood that meant speed and strength and freedom. I'm fortunate to have a strong, healthy body, and the abilities to pedal, balance and move quickly. I love to feel the wind and fresh air. I love to feel my muscles' strength as I use my own energy (rather than fossil fuels) to get where I need to go. I love the feel of adrenaline and blood pumping, of lungs and heart being challenged and growing stronger. I love the camaraderie with other cyclists as we pass each other on the path or road. In the morning I love the quiet time the ride affords me to start thinking about the day and mentally prepare; I arrive to work alert and ready for the day's challenges. In the afternoon I love the opportunity to pedal out any stress after a long day's work and process any difficult situations. I love the satisfaction of getting around on my own two feet, of getting to work and back completely free of cost (no gas or bus tickets needed). I love to ride through the park and along the creek. I love sleeping more soundly at night because I've had a good workout. I love it all.

Sure, it takes me longer to get to work (by about 15 minutes each way), but at the end of the day, I have already exercised and don't need to schedule that additional time. Sure, it takes a little extra preparation, as I must pack my work clothes for the day and change once I get to the office. But the benefits far outweigh the extra time spent allowing for--and doing--something I truly love. 

Did you love riding a bike as a kid, too? Do you ride as an adult? What other activities strengthen you in body, mind and spirit?

Animals Save the Planet

A friend of mine sent me a link to animalssavetheplanet.com This is a delightful site that is filled with little videos of animated animals working to save the planet. The humor may be a little irreverent for some but it helps to make the videos lighthearted. I believe that these were created as a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that ran on the British Animal Planet network.

The messages are sound and the presentation is quite clever. A jellyfish performs an aquatic waltz with a plastic bag to teach about pollution. A hippo provides guidance on water conservation after being reprimanded for taking too long of a shower, and many other creatures find ways to pass on lessons from energy conservation to limiting consumption. I found these PSAs to be a nice addition to educational materials about conservation.

Creation Groans, "No more plastic bags, please!"

A couple of days ago I received an interesting and rather shocking link to a presentation that covers some of the devastating effects that plastic bags are having on our world. After looking over the presentation, I was reminded of Romans 8: 19-21, "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (NRSV)

This passage and presentation made me think about the number of plastic bags that I use or end up with on a regular basis and how quickly I can make a difference in the world by ceasing to use bags altogether. A few years back, I stopped using plastic grocery bags. I opted for cloth bags that I could use again and again. These bags continue to work well, but I now find I still have plastic bags accumulating in my home. Sometimes new plastic bags seem to blossom like forest mushrooms, seemingly out of nowhere. I suppose they came from grocery store produce, friends coming over for dinner and bringing items for the meal, and a variety of other places I simply don't think enough about. I know the bags still accumulate and I am certain that I can stop their accumulation by putting forth stronger efforts and consuming more reflectively.

In the past I have used the bags for cleaning up after my dog as we would walk through the park, and I recycled the bags I didn't need. However, recently I discovered that there are better options for picking up after my dog: biodegradable and, better yet, compostable bags. All of these items have come from people trying to find creative ways around the problem of plastic bags in the world.

I also recently discovered that there is at least one massive floating plastic landfill in the ocean. This Texas-sized trash heap struck me as a visible embodiment of the bondage the creation is being subjected to for many creatures are dying as a result. As the fish and ocean creatures consume bits of trash, they are becoming toxic to consume and human populations are affected as well. I know that I can help to make a difference in this by continuing to avoid plastic bags.

Together all of us can work to ease the suffering of creation and stand as witnesses of God's glory in the world by making responsible choices that help to liberate the creation from bondage. These choices can include not using plastic bags, avoiding disposable materials as much as possible, and helping out wherever we perceive need. Yes, all this garbage is disgusting and causing suffering, but we can work to prevent it, clean it up, and ease the burden on the creation by working with God. We do not have to live in such a polluted world. God calls us to embody a greater vision.

God's Word is filled with visions of a greater world where life abounds. God chooses to work through people and we are called to be Christ's evangelists in the world. Each one of us has the power to make a difference by minimizing our trash output and advocating for recycling and environmental restoration programs as an embodiment of our faith in this world.  Together we can celebrate and share in God's vision by working for justice as stewards of creation.

Just Living Series: Green Living

We, at Enough for Everyone are pleased to announce the launch of our new Just Living Series. The Just Living Series seeks to assist individuals, couples, and families as they strive to practice their faith in all aspects of daily life. Within the Reformed tradition there are a number of ways in which we are called to live justly. Each piece in the Just Living series focuses on one aspect of daily living, offering  myriad ways we can practice our faith on a daily level within an ever-changing world. The Just Living series invites personal transformation and is offered as a tool to assist in lifelong journeys of faith.

Our first piece in the series is, "Green Living." This piece provides a brief introduction to ways in which our faith is reflected as we live as just stewards of the earth. The piece contains three areas of concentration: Consumption, Transportation, and Household Living. We have also included a selection of resources to further assist Christians seeking to live into God's call to environmental justice and stewardship. You can download a PDF of the "Green Living" piece here: Download green_living.pdf

After we return from the Global Market Place at General Assembly, we will be developing the next portion of the series. Currently we are developing piece on food and a piece on water.  Our hope is to create resources that will serve the expressed needs of people in the church and we invite you to share your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to make recommendations for pieces that you would find helpful. Also please share your stories of how you and your friends and family are living as Christians in the world.

Love Your Mother Earth

On May 10, 2008 Church of the New Covenant hosted an event dedicated to green and sustainable living called, "Love Your Mother Earth Day." Suzanne Mikalsen, who helped coordinate the event said, "I joined the team to help spread the eco-word: about water conservation, responsible stewardship, wildlife importance, etc.  The event started as an outreach effort.  I believe we went much farther, sponsoring and lifting up this message for children and adults and sharing Christ in this way with our neighbors."

It is great to see churches putting together events highlighting numerous ways in which local communities may be involved in living green and caring for creation as a witness to God in the world. Included below is the write up of this event as it appeared in the Church of the New Covenant newsletter and a schedule of presenters for the event: 

Love Your Mother Earth

A Green Awareness Event

A Spectacular Success!

Love Your Mother Earth Day-What a terrific day Saturday May 10th was! What a great turnout! Great food, interesting talks, informative displays, activities and demonstrations, and lots of fun!  Most impressive of all, however, were the effort so many people gave to make this event a success and the excitement you generated in doing so.  Curt S. & Suzanne H. are co-chairs of the Witness Committee, which sponsored the day; Curt and Suzanne did lots of the planning and structuring of the event.  Suzanne M. met with tons of local merchants and obtained gift certificates, give-aways and the like – in addition to putting in hours of planning.  Nancy M. obtained and prepared the food.  Ann G. and James J. cooked tirelessly.  Jeff D. did a heroic job of setting up and helping organize the church grounds – and he did some of the cooking, too.  Richard R. helped out with setup.  George T. lined up several presenters.  Milly B. was very active in preparation activities.  Bennie and Lucy, Kaitlyn and Jared J. were involved all day in setup and takedown.  All our youth helped with flyer distribution on May 4, and Jared went out the day before with Suzanne H.  Scott H. obtained canopies from several folks.  Jason C. created the banner for the yard.  Donna A. and Marty R. helped inflate 100 balloons and then greet everyone cheerfully.  Many others gave presentations and demonstrations or led activities for children and adults.

Lots of neighbors from surrounding streets stopped by to enjoy a chicken leg, learn about composting or eco-friendly products, and to get to know some of our members.  Everyone – participants, presenters, visitors – commented on how good it was to have an event like this out on our front lawn. Being visible in this way showed our neighborhood the wonderful spirit that makes Church of the New Covenant who we are: a congregation whose lives are anchored in prayer and praise, who practice God’s love in everything we do.

Many, many thanks to all of you.

--Rick Neale. Pastor

Included below is a list of presenters and events for "Love Your Mother Earth Day." Of special note on that list are the Earth Covenant Ministry (a new ministry of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta), and the Imam and the Columbia Seminary Professor, who participated in an interfaith dialogue on how our religious traditions inform our relationship with Creation.:Download lyme_presenters.doc

I want to extend a special thanks to Pastor Rick Neale and Suzanne Mikalsen for all their efforts in putting this event together. Also thanks to everyone at Church of the New Covenant for sharing your ministry with the world!

Happy Arbor Day

I love trees.  I have always loved trees.  The first Presbyterian youth retreat I attended was held in the beautiful north Georgia mountains.  I remember a beautiful morning hike when several of us skipped the morning's activities (and later got in trouble with our leaders) to hike up Black Mountain.  We followed a stream all the way to the top until we reached a gorgeous waterfall.  I took pictures of trees all along the way.  In fact, I took so many pictures of trees, when I got home from the retreat, I had more photos of trees, streams and the waterfall than I had of people and activities! 

This year Arbor Day also falls on my birthday, so today I give thanks for God's precious gift of life--that of my own, and that of life-sustaining trees--everywhere.