Aldersgate celebrated Earth Day by hosting Dan Schwartz from the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District to speak on “Ecology, Soil Health, and Composting” to over 80 attendees at a joint UMM/UWF Dinner. The church also provided literature on native plants and bought a compost tumbler. Also, there was a four-week Sunday School Class on Creation Care. The educational ministries team provided two Creation Care Lent Calendars for children and one for adults. The church newsletter includes Creation Care tips, and the Creation Care Team meets every other month. We often sing songs that praise God’s Creation.
We planted a dogwood tree and another native garden in honor of Pastor Randy Orndorff’s retirement. Three native gardens and 22 native trees are tended to, and the Day School, in conjunction with the church, planted a vegetable and herb garden. We also sold plants for Rising Hope.
Energy efficiency remains a high priority, and the parking lot’s lighting was updated; the church lighting is being addressed as funds become available.
-Submitted by Lorrie Rezendes, Aldersgate UMC, Alexandria, VA