Creating a just, green future through a green economy with  Environment Hamilton’s Dr. Lynda Lukasik

How do we move forward in tough economic times in a way that respects the planet and ensures a fair, living wage for
local workers? Environment Hamilton believes that a focus on greening our local economy provides a viable solution.
Come out to learn more, share your ideas and consider getting involved in EH’s GOLE (Greening Our
Local Economy)Project.

February 13th -
Breakfast starts at 9am
Speaker starts at 9:20

Melrose United Church
86 Homewood Avenue
Hamilton

Suggested donation is $10 per person

Luke Gascho, executive director at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Centre of Goshen College, will examine life-giving principles in the midst of climate change issues. What is the role of the church and educational institutions? How are communities and organizations already responding?  Luke will present a talk, followed by discussion.

Date: Sunday January 24
Time:  4:00PM
Place:  Waterloo North Mennonite Church, 100 Benjamin Road, Waterloo

For more information about Luke you can visit his webpage on Goshen College’s website: http://www.goshen.edu/merrylea/about/gascho.php

Please note a revamped issue of CCC will be released in early February. If you have any stories to contribute, please contact Darren Kropf (see below). Specifically, we’ll explore the Biblical principle of Sabbath and how it can inform our relationship with creation. If you have ideas on this, send them Darren’s way!

Darren Kropf
Creation Care Program Coordinator
MCC Ontario, 50 Kent Ave. Kitchener, Ontario N2G 3R1
Tel: 519-745-8458, ext. 216 Toll Free: 1-800-313-6226, ext. 216
ontario.mcc.org/creationcare “Peace, Justice and Dignity for All People, Harmony with God’s Creation”
_Mennonite Central Committee (Ontario) (MCCO) has developed an Internet and Systems Use Policy for the protection of both the author and the recipient.  This includes the right to monitor both incoming and outgoing e-mail. Questions regarding the MCCO Internet and Systems Use Policy and/or privacy practices may be directed to privacy@mennonitecc.on.ca.  Because of the insecure nature of e-mail, we do not accept liability for errors, omissions or unintended effects that might arise.  If you have received this e-mail in error, please delete it and advise MCCO of your actions.  Thank you._

Just received this great news from Beatrice at Environment Hamilton:

Faith buildings are considered commerical buildings by Union Gas so if you are a costumer of Union Gas and decide to have an energy audit done on your faith building,they will pay up to 30% of the cost. This is huge.
Green Venture is at the ready to do the audit.

Having an energy audit done provides you with some basic information about current energy use in your building and the potential for more efficient usage. Its the best way to know where your building stands and how to save money in the long run.
Once you have the audit done you can quailify for retrofit grants from the government. This is a win-win situation.

Lastly, Union Gas has a program in place where faith groups can receive free energy saving devices such as the kitchen and bathroom aerators to save water, the free programable thermostats etc.

Please look at these documents: ESP 2009

Commercial Prescriptive Program Application Form 2009 – October 2009

The website www.uniongas.com also has excellent information

Please direct any questions to Beatrice – she can provide you with further contacts.

Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko
Project Facilitator
Greening Sacred Spaces
Environment Hamilton
1130 Barton St E
Hamilton, On
L8H 7P9

bekoko@faith-commongood.net
905 549 0900

“Eco” and “green” have become the new buzz words in marketing – and give the message that living sustainably is as easy as going to the supermarket …

You and I both know that a better solution to buying lower emission cars is to cut down on car use….. In essence, cars aren’t green.

Jody Van Dorp heads the eco-team at Redeemer University College. On Nov 17 she gave an excellent talk at the “Growing Green” evening sponsored by Environment Hamilton. She graciously allowed us to post her notes on our blog. Thanks Jody!

Click on greeningsacredspaces to read her personal and timely reflections.

A presentation on Energy Audits For Religious Buildings

When: Thurs Nov 19 7:30 pm

Where: First Hamilton CRC, 181 Charleton Ave (just east of Queen) Hamilton

Thinking about having an energy audit done at your faith home or place of worship? Greening Sacred Spaces Hamilton invites you to  a presentation where you’ll learn from the pros about what to expect in an energy audit.

Line up includes:

Greening Sacred Spaces/Environment Hamilton screening a short version of the GSS film where you will see examples of what faith groups are doing province wide to green their sacred spaces.

Green Venture Since 1997, Green Venture has also been developing and implementing educational programming, which can assist your organization in cultivating a green culture and reduce your overall carbon footprint. Green Venture’s Certified Energy Advisor will be on hand to dispel energy myths and identify where the best value for energy investments are typically found using real life examples.  Find out about why energy audits are important for long-term capital planning and  get information about available subsidies and grants to help fund energy audits and retrofits.

David Patterson Greening Sacred Spaces/Faith and the Common Good:The Green Audit- A holistic, general audit for faith groups who want something other than the complete audit.

RSVP: Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko

bekoko@faith-commongood.net

905 549 0900

Four speakers will give you tips on how to build ’sustainability’ action within your faith home and amongst faith community members.

Convincing the Custodian:How a school that put out 90 bags of garbage a week went down to 1 bag weekly. Brenda Johnson of Environment Hamilton tells you how to make your work easier and lighter.

Staying Relevant to the Community: techniques. Denise Neutel is a community activist and member of Meadowlands Christian Reformed Church in Ancaster.

Engaging Youth: The ins and outs. Cathedral High School eco team will talk about motivational methods. They will show a 5 minute film.

Sustaining Sustainability: Jody Van Dorp heads the eco-team at Redeemer University College. She will talk on the methods she uses to get the next generation of leaders interested in stewardship.

Tuesday November 17th, 2009

Stanley Ave Baptist Church, 115 Stanley Avenue, Hamilton

7-9pm

All Welcome!

Contact Beatrice Ekwa Ekoko at 905 549 0900 or email bekoko@faith.commongood.net

A Joint Project of Faith and the Common Good and Environment Hamilton, supported by Ontario Trillium Foundation

On November 17th Redeemer is hosting a lecture by Dr. Edward Berkelaar titled, “Mirrors in Space: What Can Be Done About Climate Change?”.  The lecture is from 7 -9 p.m. and pre-registration is required.  The evening costs $15 and light refreshments are included.  To register, please call 905-648-2139, ext. 4224 or sign up online at www.redeemer.ca/clear We hope you can encourage people to come out to learn more about this important topic!

STORY Umbrella & IMAGO

In partnership with Trinity College

Present

Manufactured Landscapes

A Film by Jennifer Baichwal

Thursday September 24^th 2009

7:00 p.m.

George Ignatieff Theatre – Trinity College

16 Devonshire Place (south of Bloor east of St. George)

A Unique Opportunity to see an Extraordinary Film

Followed by a discussion with Director Jennifer Baichwal

Hosted by Professor Stephen Scharper

And audience Q & A

Tickets: $10 – at the door

This film is a documentary on the work of renowned artist Edward Burtynski focusing on his work on “manufactured landscapes”. The film follows him through China as he views the effects of a massive industrial revolution.  It is a film that can shift our consciousness about the world and the way we live in it….

AWARDS
Best Documentary Feature – Toronto Film Critics Association
Best Canadian Feature – Toronto Film Critics Association
Best Canadian Feature – Toronto Film Festival
Best Documentary – Genie Awards

www.storyumbrella.org or www.imago-arts.on.ca

2009 Sept 14, Monday, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

St Augustine’s RC Church
58 Sydenham & Melville St, Dundas, ON

Greening Sacred Spaces and The Hamilton Fruit Tree Project (projects of Environment Hamilton), along with DO-iT are teaming up to offer a canning workshop. We will be canning pears.

All ingredients and equipment will be supplied by the Hamilton Fruit Tree Project.

Bring yourself and your eager hands (and tummies)!
Contact Beatrice or Juby at 905 549 0900 to reserve your space

Space is limited!

Join “Greening Sacred Spaces” for a tasty brunch of locally produced foods. Local food consumption is a vital form of stewardship and creation care. Learn how you can make eating locally a part of your everyday lifestyle from seasoned speakers in the movement. This is an opportunity for members of the Hamilton and area faith groups to network together and to share in the bounty of our community.
When: The morning of Saturday August 8th 2009
Where: St James Anglican Church, 137 Melville St, Dundas
Time: 10-12am
cost: $12 per person
For more information contact Rebecca Birtch at
rebeccabirtch2@hotmail.com
To order tickets email Beatrice or call Environment Hamilton at 905 549 0900

Greening Sacred Spaces Hamilton is a joint project of Environment Hamilton and Faith & the Common Good. It is funded by the Ontario Trillium Foundation.