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Green Congregation Challenge & Earth Day Sunday
Jesus told this parable, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.
Though the smallest of all seeds, it grows into a tree so that birds perch in its branches.”
Matthew 13:31-32
At the heart of Jesus’ teaching is the idea that small steps, though seemingly insignificant at the time, are consequential. Though the smallest of all seeds, the mustard seed grows up to 6,000 times its size. Now a prominent tree in the garden, it provides shade from the heat and is a resting place for birds of the air.
For a number of years now, our congregation has been engaged in a step-by-step process called the Green Congregation Challenge. If you haven’t heard of it, that’s understandable. More often than not, the work that goes on is just below the surface. Like the mustard seed, the steps may seem inconsequential. Yet like the tree that emerges from its planting, it grows to 6,000 times its size, attesting to a commitment to protect and love all of God’s Creation.
The Green Congregation Challenge is administered through the Environmental Ministries Team of the SNEUCC*. Yet the actual work takes place within local churches, such as our own. Like the mustard seed, once the tree begins to take root, its canopy extends to every facet of congregational life and ultimately, its mission. In other words, you can’t tell where it all started, and for that matter, just how far its branches will extend: be it preaching, prayer, and pastoral care; music and the arts; tending to the education and spiritual life of our church family; seeking the well-being of the immigrant and the homeless, or Facilities/Open Doors who seek the care for the least of these and creation itself.
On Sunday, April 26th, our church will celebrate Earth Day with lively music and worship. A conference representative will recognize FCCW as a Level Three Church, honoring our congregation’s steadfast mustard seed work. The Green Congregation Challenge has five levels, from getting started (Level 1) to participating nationally and globally (Level 5). We are being honored for building momentum (Level 3), though the depth and scope of our collective work is moving us towards expanding our impact (Level 4). Who could have imagined how far our branches would extend?
On behalf of the Justice Ministry, we invite everyone in our congregation to join us for Earth Day on Sunday, April 26th. All who have participated in the ministries of our church are welcome to celebrate and be recognized!
*The Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ
