A Harvest Tree
During Creationtide 2005 members of St John's were invited to consider what they might do in their own lives to "let the earth be glad", with the help of the special leaflet which we produced. We wrote what we would do on paper leaves, which were hung on a tree in the church as part of our Harvest Festival offering, as the culmination of Creationtide. The harvest tree was a tremendous success. It had 84 leaves, and the total number of commitments was much greater because many people wrote two or three on one leaf.
Food
There were eleven commitments to do with food. Members of St John's will be choosing organic and Fair Trade food, and especially local food. They will be using local shops, farmers markets and the One World Shop, and being more careful not to waste food.
Transport
There were 34 separate commitments on transport, although some of them are clearly two sides of the same coin. Ten people are trying to reduce their car use, some specifically aiming to give up the car for local journeys. And ten - not all the same people - will be making more use of public transport. We can look forward to a fitter, slimmer congregation with all the walking and cycling that will be taking place. There were also resolutions to drive in a fuel-saving way, and to fly less.
Garden
Eight people resolved to make better use of their compost heaps, both as a way to recycle kitchen and garden waste, and to provide organic fertiliser for their gardens. Others will be planting trees, and one resolved to assign their electric lawnmower to the attic and use a person-powered one.
Energy Use
Reducing energy consumption in the home is the most popular arena for action at St John's, with 38 separate commitments. Many people made a general commitment to do this, one person resolving to save energy consistently, "and not just when I can be bothered". Fifteen people said they will switch off lights, or computers, or items left on standby, when they were not in use. Eight people will keep their houses cooler, turning the thermostat down, and ensuring they reach for a jumper before the heating controls. Others will be installing low-energy lightbulbs, improving their insulation, using radiator controls to avoid heating empty rooms, or switching to a green energy supplier.
Resource use
There were 26 resolutions to be more careful with resources. 14 people will reduce the amount of water they use, for example by turning off the tap when cleaning their teeth, or not washing up under the running tap. Seven will reduce their use of paper, making sure they used both sides, or printing and photocopying less. And five people will reduce packaging when they shop, by refusing or re-using plastic bags, or by choosing products with less packaging. The attitude of this group was summed up by the person who wrote, "Try and be more economical and not wasteful with all forms of earthly treasures".
Waste
There were 27 commitments on recycling, including "recycle more", "recycle as much as possible", and "get down to one bin bag per week". The most popular material which people said they will start to recycle is packaging, reflecting the recently improved provision for this in Edinburgh. Others said they will recycle paper, bottles, clothes, shoes and furniture and make more use of charity shops. Members of the Sunday School said that they will make sure they did not drop litter.
Prophetic
Eight people made "prophetic" commitments, to raise awareness and press for action on environmental issues. Three people said that they will be finding out more about how to live a greener life and help the earth. Others said that they will be encouraging people at work to be more environmentally-friendly, lobbying governments for more enlightened policies, engaging in public debate, or encouraging people to join environmental organisations.
Spiritual
Six people said they will pray for the earth. They will pray that people realise their personal responsibility, and that as a society we might care more for the earth. They will give thanks at the eucharist for the gifts of creation, and join psalmist's trees of the forest in "shouting for joy before the Lord". As we put our resolutions for action into practice, we can be aware that not only are we acting together with other members of St John's, but we are supported by one another in prayer.
Suggestions for St John's
Some people used their leaves to make suggestions about what St John's might do as a church. These included using the compost bin in the graveyard, recycling paper and bottles, buying recycled paper, and installing bicycle racks to encourage cycling to church. These will be amongst the suggestions which will be considered by a group looking at what practical action we might take as a church.
Let the heavens rejoice
Reading through the leaves was a hugely inspiring exercise, and I hope that reading this article has inspired you to carry out your resolutions surrounded by this great cloud of witnesses. In my work at Eco-Congregation Scotland we often say that one of the great advantages of working with a church is that people can learn together over a period of time, and make the move from raised awareness to taking action - which is something which governments and charities really struggle to do. St John's over Creationtide has begun to show how this can be done. Well done everyone!
Earth be Glad >> Harvest Tree