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This page contains text of articles we've published in the Tidings Newsletter
This page contains text of articles we've published in the Tidings Newsletter
November 2022 Fair Trade Coffee
November 2022 Fair Trade Coffee
Our congregation is joining the Presbyterian Coffee Project by beginning to serve fair trade coffee at church events such as coffee hour between worship services.
This Project offers a special link between congregations and communities around the world. Churches can now reach out to neighbors overseas not only with the prayers and offerings we give, but with the goods and products we purchase. A warm cup of coffee (or tea) in our hands is perhaps the most tangible daily connection we have with farmers around the world. It represents warmth, hospitality, fellowship, hard work and life’s pleasures both fine and simple.
One answer for small-scale farmers is fair trade. Fair trade shares the bounty of the coffee trade with those who grow the crop, helping them build a better future for themselves and their communities. Through fair trade, farmers earn a fairer share of income, have access to services that are otherwise unavailable and gain long-term trading partners they can trust.
By working together and pooling their resources to form a cooperative, farmers can sell their coffee directly to international buyers without relying on middlemen. They receive a fair price that not only covers their costs of production but guarantees a fair wage for their labors.
Cooperatives use profits from fair trade coffee sales to establish community development or improvement programs such as schools, health clinics and training in areas such as leadership development.
The Presbyterian coffee project buys through Equal Exchange, a fair trade organization. Equal Exchange’s mission is to build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound. You can personally buy Equal Exchange coffee from their website, and also from the Momentum Center on Columbus Ave.
Oct. 2025 Composting presentation
Oct. 2025 Composting presentation
November 2025 Eco Friendly Christmas
November 2025 Eco Friendly Christmas
December 2025 Second Mile Journey
December 2025 Second Mile Journey
Jan 2026 happy New Year
Jan 2026 happy New Year
Feb 2026 Earth Day is coming up
Feb 2026 Earth Day is coming up
April 2026 Earth Day "Our Power, Our Planet"
April 2026 Earth Day "Our Power, Our Planet"
May 2026 Lakeshore Earth Day Celebration Draws Community Together
May 2026 Lakeshore Earth Day Celebration Draws Community Together
Lakeshore’s 19th Annual Earth Day Celebration brought the community together on Saturday, April 25, from 1–4 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Grand Haven.
The event began with a clean energy parade featuring electric vehicles and cars through Grand Haven before arriving at the church. Hosted by the Earth Care Team, the celebration featured electric vehicles, bikes, and 14 informational booths representing organizations from Ottawa and Muskegon counties.
Visitors explored exhibits on watersheds, native plants, gardening, landscaping, parks, and local outdoor opportunities. Many booths offered hands-on activities for children, including seed planting, watershed coloring, and practical ways to help keep the air clean. The County Conservation District gave away free conifer and deciduous tree seedlings and plants. Several organizations also shared educational programs for schools and community initiatives such as bike repair and bike giveaways for children.
Guests enjoyed a free buffet from Righteous Cuisine, live music from Lauryn Allen, and presentations from local experts. Speakers included Aaron Bodbyl-Mast from Ottawa County Parks, Greg Mankowski from Organicycle, and William Jennett from Barry’s Greenhouse and Landscaping, who shared insights on parks, composting, native plants, and environmental stewardship.
The event was a joyful celebration of creation care, with community members enjoying the booths, food, music, and educational opportunities throughout the day.
The Earth Care Team is grateful for the community’s support and hopes to host the celebration again next year.
The team is also seeking volunteers to help care for the church’s Memorial Garden. Those interested can contact Michele Smith at 616-638-3112.
JUNE 2026 Creation Care Summer
JUNE 2026 Creation Care Summer
August 2026 How to be Presbyterian and Healthy
August 2026 How to be Presbyterian and Healthy
(and promote a healthy world)
After 12 years of effort, the 2026 PCUSA general assembly approved an overture directing that we divest and no longer invest in the fossil fuel industry. Instead, we will establish a “Green Future Endowment fund” to support greenhouse gas emission reduction as well as efforts to help marginalized communities harmed by the use of fossil fuels or by the transition to renewable energy. (follow the links above to see more information.)
Individual Presbyterians can support this acknowledgment that the warming of our planet from burning fossil fuels is the greatest threat to all of earth’s life that we currently face. We cannot yet avoid the use of fossil fuels completely, but we can be more responsible in the use of our cars and in considering alternatives. Viable options in our area that can make a dent in fossil fuel use are walking and bicycle riding.
Consider walking when your round trip length is less than 4 or 5 miles. Not only will you avoid fossil fuels, but will also gain the 6000 to 10000 steps (about 2000-2500 per mile) that are often recommended for maintaining your health. For round trips of less than 10 to 12 miles consider bicycling. This distance is often considered the equivalent to the health benefits obtained by walking 4 to 5 miles.
When you can’t walk or bicycle, consider combining multiple car trips into one; planning them within your family, or with neighbors or friends. Talk with your employer about establishing a car pool program. Establish metrics to help you establish when car trips are necessary; for example, that the time spent at your destination(s) is at least double the time it takes to commute to and from.
Oct '26 Sustainability Practices
Oct '26 Sustainability Practices
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