First Presbyterian Church, Henderson earned its recertification again this year. On Monday, April 22, the United States will celebrate 49 years of inspiring awareness and appreciation for valuing and protecting the health of our shared environment; better known as Earth Day.
Presbyterian Church (USA) encourages all its congregations to participate in Earth Day Sunday, or a similar Creation Care worship service, on a Sunday near this date. They even have a slew of resources (hymns, scripture selections, sermons and more) to help make it happen.
Did you also know that 10 of our presbytery congregations are currently certified by PC(USA) as official Earth Care Congregations?
This means these churches have completed activities and projects in the fields of worship, education, facilities and outreach as they relate to green initiatives – and that the congregations continue to build on their efforts each and every year. For Trinity Presbyterian Church in McKinney, this includes recent sales of metal straws to encourage members to refrain from using plastic ones, as well as the congregation’s Monarch Butterfly Project.
In Waco at First Presbyterian Church, which first earned its certification in 2014, they partner with a sustainable farm nearby as part of their on-going commitment.
And at St. Philip Presbyterian Church in Hurst, they’re making progress toward their certification – a process that begins between January 1 and February 15 each year.
To that end, on Sunday, April 28, the church will screen the 2016 documentary, “A Plastic Ocean,” that details the newest scientific research about how plastics, once they enter the oceans, break up into small particulates that ultimately enter our food chain.
Rev. Greg Garis, pastor at St. Philip, invites everyone to attend.
The screening will begin Sunday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. and childcare is available. Guests can also enjoy snacks and drinks and free, non-plastic sample products to take home.
If your church would like to learn more about earning the Earth Care Congregation certification, visit the Presbyterian Mission Agency website or contact Jessica Maudlin with questions.
Our Grace Presbytery Earth Care Congregations are:
- Canyon Creek Presbyterian Church, Richardson
- Central Presbyterian Church, Waxahachie
- Emmanuel Presbyterian Church, Bedford
- First Presbyterian Church, Henderson
- First Presbyterian Church, Richardson
- First Presbyterian Church, Waco
- St. Andrew Presbyterian Church, Longview
- St. Barnabas Presbyterian Church, Richardson
- Trinity Presbyterian Church, Denton
- Trinity Presbyterian Church, McKinney
We are grateful for their leadership in this area and pray for their continued success as Green Presbyterian Churches.
St. Philip Presbyterian Church is located at 745 Pipeline Road in Hurst, Texas.
The April 28 screening of “A Plastic Ocean” will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Youth Hall.
Have questions about the screening? Email church member Ruth Lucas.
