Church advises congregants on ways to go green

The United Methodist Church designates one Sunday each year, preferably the Sunday closest to Earth Day, which is Wednesday, as a Festival of God's Creation.

This past Sunday, The Rev. Lloyd Doyle of First United Methodist Church of Shelbyville gave a sermon on being good stewards in recognition of the festival.

During the sermon, he encouraged individuals to take personal action to care for Earth.

Here are some of the stewardship actions individuals and congregations can take, suggested by the United Methodist Church:

Individuals

• Use compact fluorescent light (CFS) bulbs.
• Use water-saving devices in sinks, showers and toilets.
• Use reusable shopping bags.
• Unplug appliances and computers when not in use.
• Bike, carpool or use public transportation to go to church once a week, and to church once a month.
• Reduce, recycle, reuse.

Congregations

• Car pool to church once a month.
• Hold a local foods potluck with ingredients coming from within 150 miles of the church.
• Use CFS bulbs.
• Use glassware instead of paper or foam products.
• Use recycling bins.
• Use shade-grown, fair-trade coffee and reusable mugs.