ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION

ABOUT

The mission of the Environmental Action Committee (EAC) of Village Church is to be a bold witness by advocating environmental justice for all creation. We are committed to making Village Church more environmentally aware and sustainable as an institution by reducing its environmental impact and by practicing, modeling and teaching faithful and responsible stewardship of God's Creation.  Our call is to promote earth-keeping within and beyond the walls of our church.  Our hope is to raise people’s awareness and to stir their conscience so that they might incorporate creation care into their daily living.

Throughout the year, EAC oversees the ongoing recycling efforts of the church and offers environmental education opportunities through Village U, Sunday school classes and displays.
​  
Under the leadership of EAC, Village Church has been certified for eight consecutive years as an Earth Care Congregation. Earth Care Congregations is a program sponsored by PC(USA)'s Department of Environmental Ministries. Certification means our church is one of over 200 Presbyterian Churches nationally that have integrated environmental practices and thinking into its church life by completing projects and activities in the four fields of worship, education, facilities and outreach.  The purpose of this program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way by incorporating earth care into their mission and ministry.

JOIN US

​The Environmental Action Committee welcomes your participation. We are always looking for new members to join our committee as well as volunteers to help with activities and events.  We typically meet at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of every  month at the church.  Contact Jerry Rees or Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka for more information or to learn how you can get involved.

RESOURCES FOR LENT

For those who observe the season of Lent and care about creation, the Environmental Action Committee suggests reading the 2021 Tread Lightly for Lent daily calendar that provides daily reflections and actions during Lent.
2021 Tread Lightly for Lent Daily Calendar

Take the Lenten Meal Pledge 
Vegetarian Recipes for Lent from Becky Bliss
Other Vegetarian Recipes for Lent 

EARTH CARE REFERENCES

Rev. Hallie Hottle Earth Day Gathering Service (Village Church, April 19, 2020)
Rev. Tom Are sermon The Earth is the Lord’s (a Word about Climate Change (Village Church, Feb. 10, 2019)
Rev. Tom Are sermon Meeting the World at My Dinner Table (Village Church, Nov. 24, 2013)
Pastor Adam Hamilton sermon What Would Jesus Say About Climate Change? (Church of the Resurrection, Jan. 26, 2020)

PROJECTS

Hallelujah! Let the Sunshine In!
Solar Panels for the Village Church Child & Family Development Center 

Picture
According to the Now & Tomorrow designers, the Village Church Child & Family Development Center (day care building) at 9900 Mission Road in Overland Park was electrically and structurally designed to accommodate an expandable array of 270 solar panels, capable of supplying two-thirds of the building's electrical demand. In November 2016, 45 solar panels with microinverters were installed as part of its initial construction (Phase 1).  These panels were paid for by funds raised by the Environmental Action Committee (EAC).  

During the next four years, EAC raised funds for Phases 2, 3 and 4, resulting in the retrofitting of 36, 21 and 105 panels, respectively, for a total of 207. For the record:
1. Phase 1 in 2016 installed 45 285-watt panels.
2. Phase 2 in 2017 retrofitted 36 300-watt panels.
3. Phase 3 in 2018 retrofitted 21 335-watt panels.
4. Phase 4 in 2020 retrofitted 105 330-watt panels.

On Sept. 21, 2020, the 105 Phase 4 panels went online!  With 207 total panels, the Day Care Building’s electrical system is now maxed out! It is now capable of generating 64.575 kilowatts of solar power! See photos below.  According to Bob Solger of Solar Design Studio (the solar contractor), the entire system will generate 92.364 megawatt-hours of energy annually, offsetting 70.33 tons of carbon (equivalent to 1,624 trees).  

An explanation for fewer than the 270 panels originally projected is that the newer panels that were installed have more photovoltaic capacity than the assumed capacity per panel when the building was designed in 2015. 

EAC would like to thank the 30 plus people who donated—some several times—to the cause during the last 4 years.  A total exceeding $145,000 was donated (an average of approximately $700 per panel).  Phase 4—the final push that doubled the number of panels—raised $68,690.  This total included a $20,000 donation from the Village Church Trustees and a $20,000 donation from the Frey Foundation.  

As an investment projected to pay for itself in dollars in 12 years, these solar panels will reduce the annual operating costs of the Day Care during the 25-year life of the panels, resulting in savings that will support its mission and ministry with children and their families.  Not included in the calculation of dollar savings is the significant reduction of so-called indirect costs associated with the consumption of electricity generated by coal-fired power plants.  These involve extraction, transportation, and the aftereffects of a variety of harmful emissions that contribute to health problems and climate change.  These emissions include carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, methyl mercury, particulate matter, fly ash and radioactive trace elements.

Ultimately, the installation of these solar panels is about faith, hope, and love.  They will contribute to the health and wellbeing of future generations of God's people and God's creation. They are an immediate and tangible investment in clean, renewable, inexhaustible energy.  During the 50+ year life of this building, these solar panels will constitute a legacy for the Day Care children and their children.

Consider the thought:
When there’s a huge solar energy spill, it’s just called a “nice day!”

Again, thank you for your interest and support.
​
-Jerry Rees, chair of the Environmental Action Committee

PC(USA) Overture 08-06: The Earth is the Lord’s

​In June, in response to the accelerating environmental crisis threatening God’s People and God’s Creation, PC(USA)'s 223rd General Assembly (2018) unanimously approved Overture 08-06 entitled The Earth is the Lord’s—Not Ours to Ruin: Priorities for a New Moral Era.  With this Overture, the national leadership is calling upon the whole church to raise its prophetic voice on the urgent issue of climate change and to participate in healing the earth, our home and God’s gift for the future of all life.  More specifically, it calls for the clergy to accept the mantle of moral leadership and to speak from the pulpits what must be done.  CLICK HERE to read this Overture.
 
In July, the Environmental Action Committee decided to promote this Overture, making it its major initiative and focus for the foreseeable future.  EAC calls upon Village Church to join the national church in its call to prayer and action to initiate a new moral era.  During and between recent meetings, EAC has discussed multiple ways to turn the General Assembly's words into action at Village Church:
  • Communicating this Earth-Caring and Earth-Honoring message to the church staff and to our congregation
  • Teaching this message in the classroom and proclaiming it from the pulpit
  • Advocating for eco-justice within and beyond the walls of Village Church

In 2016, PC(USA)'s 222nd General Assembly endorsed a Resolution entitled the Collaborative Agenda on Environmental Stewardship, a 10-page document that can be considered a companion piece to Overture 08-06.  In addition to providing Biblical Principles and Historical Witness, it is a "how to" document that suggests actions for individuals, congregations, mid councils and other mission and ministry groups wishing to join in the effort.
 
The Collaborative Agenda is designed to call attention to ongoing efforts by PC(USA) to confront the underlying causes of climate change and to suggest resources available through its six agencies. It is a statement of the church’s environmental policy from Environmental Ministries.  CLICK HERE to read this Resolution.
 
Using these two resources in tandem along with others, EAC’s goal is to promote and practice effective and faithful strategies that will overcome denial, disinterest and inertia and move people toward awareness, hope and action.  This includes invoking the 2006 General Assembly Resolution strongly urging “all Presbyterians to immediately make a bold witness by aspiring to live carbon neutral lives.”
 
EAC committee chair Jerry Rees says, "Climate Change is now and getting worse.  Climate Change is the overarching moral, social, theological, economic, environmental and national security issue of our age—an issue that will determine how we live, where we live, and if we live.  Climate Change is an accelerating scenario, fueled by GHGs, destined to become biblical in its scope, magnitude and consequences, affecting the entire arc of human history.  Climate change disproportionately hurts first and worst the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable among us—the least among us who are least responsible for its causes and least able to cope with its consequences.  Significant and concerted actions on climate justice must be taken on multiple fronts sooner rather than later."
 
“The Gospel’s good news of redemption applies to the earth, as well as the earthling.” (Dr. Bob Meneilly, June 14, 1992).  Another way to care about people is to care about our environment—the natural world that surrounds and sustains us.  Heed the call.  Dare to pray, speak and act to heal God’s Good Green Earth!
 
If you have questions, if you share EAC’s sense of urgency, if you would like to join us in addressing climate change, contact Chuck Gillam at 816-942-9495 or email Jerry Rees at reesveenstra@aol.com.

Monarch Waystation & Pollinator Garden

For the third year in a row, EAC is overseeing Village Church’s Monarch Waystation & Pollinator Garden west of the Food Pantry.  This has involved clearing deadwood, planting milkweed and nectar flowers, caging, staking, watering, mulching and weeding during the spring, summer and fall.  A watering rotation of five volunteers has been recruited.  Annual flowers have been planted by the Village Church Child & Family Development Center  children so they can watch them sprout, grow and bloom.  

During Youth Week on June 5, the Village Church youth weeded and mulched the the north end of the garden path.  Thank you to our youth!
 
If you are interested in helping with this garden, contact Jerry Rees or Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka.

EARTH CARE CONGREGATION RECERTIFICATION

Village Church has been certified as an Earth Care Congregation for the eighth year in a row! Earth Care Congregations is a program sponsored by PC(USA)'s Department of Environmental Ministries. The purpose of this program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way by incorporating earth care into their mission and ministry. 
 
To become certified, a church affirms an Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental practices and thinking into all aspects of its church life and to complete projects and activities in the four fields of worship, education, facilities and outreach.
 
Certification is based on a scoring system that counts sustainable practices and earth care actions. Re-certification requires 50 points with a minimum of 5 points in each category.
 
Using a scoring sheet, the Environmental Action Committee (EAC) performed an environmental audit of activities and projects between April and December 2015. Village Church earned the following points:
  • Worship       22
  • Education    83
  • Facilities      63
  • Outreach    104
 
With 272 total points, re-certification is recognition of what has been accomplished by various groups within the church (not just EAC).  The Earth Care Congregation certificate hangs above the drinking fountain between the Chapel and Friendship Hall.
 
Since the program's launch in July 2010, 191 Presbyterian churches across the U.S.  have become certified as an Earth Care Congregation.  Four of them are from Heartland Presbytery: Village Church, Grace Covenant, Rolling Hills and Second Presbyterian.
 
Certification honors churches that make the commitment to be stewards of God’s Good Green earth and encourages other churches to follow their lead.  Also, congregational members are invited to participate as individuals by completing similar actions in their homes.
 
Contact Jerry Rees at 913-568-4250 or reesveenstra@aol.com if you have questions.

ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION HISTORY & IMPACT

​CLICK HERE for a listing of Village Church Environmental Initiatives and Awards. 

FAITH-BASED ENVIRONMENTAL WEBSITES

Earth Keepers of Heartland Presbytery:
http://www.heartlandpby.org/committee/Earthkeepers.html

Sustainable Sanctuary Coalition of Greater KC: 
http://www.sustainablesanctuary.org/ 

​PC(USA) Environmental Ministries:   
http://www.pcusa.org/environment/ 

​Presbyterians for Earth Care:       
http://www.presbyearthcare.org/

Eco-Justice Ministries:  
http://www.eco-justice.org/ and http://www.eco-justice.org/tips-w.asp

Web of Creation:  
http://www.webofcreation.org/ 

​Greenfaith:   
http://greenfaith.org/
CONTACT:
Jerry Rees
Email
913-568-4250

Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka
Senior Associate
​913-671-2323
email