Mission/Description: An important focus for LPPC is the earth and the environment. Our desire is to continue to learn about the environment and how we can honor it, as God would have us to do. The LPPC Earth Care Fellowship was formed in 1998 when the church Session developed our "Earth Covenant, A Congregational Covenant for Earth Community" document. This document was developed and approved by Session to publicly declare our intention to assume responsibility for the care of our Earth Community and Mother Earth. We are certified as a PCUSA Earth Care congregation (see link here), which requires an Earth Care pledge and the completion of annual activities in the fields of worship, education, facilities, and outreach.
Activities and Accomplishments: The Earth Care Fellowship operates as a non-chaired committee, consisting of member volunteers who lead and organize key activities and projects throughout the year. Ongoing activities include helping to care for LPPC’s garden in collaboration with the Grounds committee and supporting the Placitas community’s “Adopt a Mile” highway clean-up program, involving at least two annual clean-ups along LPPC’s
designated mile on Highway 165. Special activities include a service dedicated to Earth Day in the Spring of each year. including topics such as the importance of pollinators, reducing use of plastics, and increasing awareness of endangered species and their risks of extinction. One of the most cherished projects of the Earth Care committee is the annual Winter Solstice Poetry Reading or “WSPR.” The event celebrates the Winter Solstice, the day of the year with the
fewest hours of daylight and highlights a different theme each year. Local poets submit their readings for review and selection by the WSPR planning committee. The event invites all members of the community to attend and contemplate the day’s significance through the reading of poetry in a candlelit sanctuary, followed by a reception. Please consider joining us in the year ahead as we honor this important LPPC mission
Committee Members:
Don Turton (PCUSA Earth Care Congregation certification), Jacque Fletcher (WSPR), Judie Hendry (Earth Care Sunday)
Jill Hensley (Highway Clean-up Days), Carl Allen, Leland Bowen, Ken Cuthbertson (Adjunct)