Green Action Group Minutes

April 24
Present: Janis Albright, Sarah Ellsworth, Leslie Gatcombe-Hynes, Barbara Merrill, Dick Merrill, Ed Saxby, Jim Van Hoeven

Ed Saxby chaired the meeting. The opening discussion focused on Creation Sunday. There was very positive feedback from several people about the service of worship. People felt it was meaningful and beautiful. People enjoyed the music. “Andy” Burt’s presentation in Davidson Lounge focused on Food and was well-received. It was interactive and Andy brought several pieces of literature that were available in Wright Pavilion as well as in Davidson. Barbara will pursue a donation to be made to Andy Burt.

The group brainstormed ideas for future activities and meetings.
Two religious leaders from different traditions could speak on Creation. The program could be Intergenerational and a meal could be part of the gathering.
There could be a potluck gathering, the focus of which could be people telling their stories around rationing during World War II. This was a time when people got along with less food and other items. Substitutions were made; for example margarine for butter.
The possibility of linking the environment and community by sponsoring an outdoor activity was discussed. Canoeing at Scarborough Marsh, walking the Clark’s Pond Trail, or exploring Robinson’s Woods were some options. This could be done on a Sunday after church. Two or three choices with educational themes could be given at the time of the gathering and people could select their activity.
Different themes/projects in each of the seasons could be offered. Multiple activities could be available at the same time. Sarah learned that Sherwin Williams teaches seminars. People could participate in a stripping furniture project and use safe paint to refinish the furniture.
Ed and Jim are interested in leading book discussion groups.
Jim would like to lead a program relative to Creation Theology in October.
Andy Burt had suggested a yearly theme, for example, Food. The Be A Good Apple program and the Community Supported Agriculture programs were mentioned. We could work with other faith groups in our area.
An evening or Sunday morning program with a speaker and/or a visual presentation was explored. Possibilities include Ray Sirois doing a program based on Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth”, the DVD “Kilowatt Ours” (55 minutes), or the Sierra Club’s DVD on “Who Killed The Electric Car?” (90 minutes).
Janis expressed concern about endangered species and was interested in addressing this in a religious context.

Janis suggested that we develop a Mission Statement. This could be helpful in making decisions about direction the group should take. Some people shared their reasons for coming to the Green Action Group. There was agreement to address this at our May meeting. Janis offered to work on this.

As a follow-up to our requesting space in the church library for educational materials relative to Green Action/Environment/Ecology/Creation, Barbara will contact Kathy Cotter to see if Green Action could submit a request for suggested books/literature to be purchased with library funds.

The use of existing bulletin boards as a means of communication for our educational efforts was discussed. It had been suggested that we contact the other groups that use bulletin board space near Wright Pavilion and see if the existing bulletin boards could be shared or if there could be a rotation of the groups using them. Barbara will pursue this question.

In an effort to find additional ways to communicate, the group decided to explore the use of the computer. Possibilities discussed included developing a list of people at church who would like to receive information relative to Earth stewardship, the environment, etc., via email from the Green Action Group. A weekly mailing could be sent which would include what our group is doing and what other people in Maine are doing. Sarah offered to meet with Elsa to pursue this and other ways in which we could use the computer as an effective educational tool.

Ed concluded the meeting with the following:
Ed will contact Gary Roberts to see if he will lead a Sunday afternoon nature walk in May or June. Ed will check with John and Elsa regarding this program.
Leslie will be asked to see if Ray Sirois could do a presentation relative to “An Inconvenient Truth” during an evening or after church on a Sunday sometime before mid-June.
We will address a Mission Statement at our May meeting. Sarah suggested we each present a one minute statement about our aims/ interests/ concerns for the Green Action Group. Janis will facilitate the development of our Mission Statement.
We will educate ourselves regarding a food program with the hope of implementing it during the year.
We will explore the possibility of an ecumenical pot luck during the Fall.
Sarah will meet with Elsa regarding the use of computers for our purposes.
Barbara will contact the Library Committee regarding our building a book collection relevant to the group’s concerns. She will pursue a donation for Andy Burt and will work on bulletin board availability.

The next meeting will be Thursday, May 29, at 7 pm in Davidson Lounge.

Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Merrill