"Society today is confronted by a profound crisis and challenge in the world of humans and nature. God so orders creation that everything in it is related to everything else. All physical components and all organisms, including human beings, are purposefully woven together in ecological systems... when any part is tampered with, exploited, or destroyed, the effect is felt in other parts and eventually the whole system. The ecological crisis consists in the radical violation of the systems God creates. The challenge to human beings is the way in which they deal with this crisis: it will have profound significance for all life in our time and for generations to come."
-- From "The Human Crisis in Ecology," a social statement adopted by the Sixth Biennial Convention of the Lutheran Church in America, 1972

Whereas, creation is God's work and is precious to God;
Whereas, maintenance of all creation is necessary if the human species is to survive;
Whereas, the natural world is one means of experiencing God, and through destruction of the natural world we are destroying this avenue to God;
Therefore, we recommend that Zion Lutheran Church work toward environmental responsibility through adoption of the following general guidelines and specific actions:

General Guidelines

1. That Zion seek to be a model of conscientious consumption, reducing the consumption of natural resources whenever possible and striving to follow sound environmental practices when consumption is necessary.
2. That Zion seek to heighten members' awareness of the Christian responsibility to creation through worship, evangelism, education, and social ministry.
3. That Zion provide opportunities for environmental advocacy, encouraging members to express their convictions to government and industry on behalf of constructive environmental policies and practices.

To this end, we recommend the following specific actions:

1. Using biodegradable, non-Styrofoam dinnerware (cups, plates, bowls, etc.) for functions held at Zion; and encouraging the use of biodegradable or reusable products whenever possible (e.g. using silverware instead of disposable plastic tableware).
2. Beginning a program for recycling for the recycling of church bulletins and any other high-grade paper generated within the church [building].
3. Performing an energy audit for the church building.
4. Developing an adult education program exploring the biblical understanding of human beings and nature as God's interrelated creation.
5. Continuing to highlight environmental concerns in the congregation's advocacy programs.
6. Considering the theological grounds for affirming the worth of all creation, including the environment and other species [than human].
7. Establishing an Environmental Concerns Task Force within the purview of the Board of Outreach, for the purpose of studying these issues further and making recommendations to the Executive Committee.

On a practical level, the Zion Environmental Stewardship Task Force (ZEST) was instrumental in establishing a Zion kitchen policy which abolished the use of Styrofoam and single-use plastic products, in initiating and maintaining a recycling program for church-generated waste paper and in promoting the purchase and use of products made from recycled paper. All of these efforts have met with positive response and cooperation from the congregation.

On an educational level, ZEST has produced, printed and distributed a to church members a brochure containing Zion's Environmental Stewardship Statement, suggestions for environmentally responsible living (see listing of suggestions below) and a list of recycling locations, a brief bibliography and a statement of commitment from the youth of Zion. ZEST has arranged for educational opportunities in the form of adult forums on Sunday mornings on topics ranging from "How, What and Where to Recycle" to "Life in Present-day China" and an annual five-week adult education course/discussion group dealing with some aspect of our Christian responsibility to creation. These forums and classes have been well attended and have been wonderful occasions of lively and informative discussions.

In congregational worship, ZEST has encouraged incorporating concerns for the earth and all of creation into the Prayer of the Church, sermons, music selection and other aspects of the liturgy. These expressions of commitment and concern for environmental stewardship through worship have been well received by the congregation.

Youth o the congregation were intentionally included in planning and opportunities for action, as evidenced by the Zion Youth Statement below, which was included in the ZEST brochure:

"In the spirit of promoting environmental stewardship, we the youth members of Zion Lutheran Church make this brochure available in order to:

1. Heighten awareness of our Christian responsibility to be good stewards of the earth by promoting:
   1. conscientious consumption,
   2. sound environmental practices.
2. Give practical suggestions and information to assist you in practicing environmental stewardship."

The brochure listed the following practical suggestions:

What Can You Do?

Environmentally responsible living encompasses all aspects of consumption: How much we consume, what we consume, how we use what we consume, and what we do with the leftovers.

How can we build an environmentally responsible lifestyle? How can we limit our negative effects on the environment, on natural resources, and on other life? Here are a few starters:

• Turn off lights - use natural lighting whenever possible.
• Substitute permanent, reusable items for throwaways. Consider taking a coffee mug to your office.
• Avoid waste by careful meal planning. One fourth of the food we buy is never eaten.
• Purchase fewer convenience foods and other products with excessive packaging.
• Grow your own vegetables and fruits.
• Ask for paper rather than plastic bags at grocery stores.
• Choose recyclable or biodegradable products (e.g. paper or wood) rather than plastic/Styrofoam whenever possible.
• Choose laundry soaps with low phosphate content.
• Install a low-flow shower head. Fill a bottle with water and put it in your toilet tank to reduce water use.
• Use public transportation, walk, or ride a bicycle.
• Put yard waste into a compost pile.
• Limit purchases of toxic substances that may eventually leach into groundwater. Participate in local environmental cleanup projects sponsored by governmental or private organizations.
• Think of living simply whenever possible Reducing consumption may increase spiritual gifts and limit environmental degradation.
• Recycle whatever and whenever possible.
• Continue to educate yourself about environmental issues.

Zion Tree Planting Project
In addition to the various strategies and activities initiated by ZEST and described above, in 1991, Andrew Donham, a 12-year-old member of our environmental task force, suggested that we have a tree planting sponsored by the church. After several discussions with the group, we came up with the following plan:

1. We advertised widely in the church newsletter and bulletin that there would be a "plant adoption day." We developed the interest of the Sunday school children by having Peli the Pelican visit the classrooms and talk about environmental issues. Peli is a pelican hand puppet developed by the ELCA to help teach young people about stewardship and care of the earth. We found that it has quite an appeal to the kids. (See story about the Pelican Project in the sidebar.)
2. The first year, trees of several species were ordered. These were 10-16 inches high, and purchased from the National Arbor Day Foundation. We got them in just a few days before the Sunday they were to be dispersed. The roots were wrapped in sphagnum moss and then in a plastic bag. People came in before and after the worship service to get their plants. Each of the Sunday school children came up in turn to adopt their tree. They had to sign a pledge to care for their tree properly, meaning they had to plant them immediately and in a proper place and water them regularly.
3. A donation of $3 a tree was suggested. The money was to go to reforestation of Bangladesh through a Lutheran World Relief project.
4. In subsequent years, we offered different types of plants, i.e. shrubs and ornamentals, etc., for adoption.

This has been a very successful activity of the church. People like to do it, it is good for the environment, it gets youth involved, and finally, we collected money that went to a good environmental cause.

There are other things ZEST has done. Each year, as our goals are met, we must set new goals and put into motion new ideas. It is our hope that more congregations will be motivated to do the same. If you have any questions about our ministry and how to get started in your own congregation, please do not hesitate to call or write to us.

Ruth E. Fisher is a travel agent in Iowa City and an active participant in ZEST. Kelley Donham is a veterinarian and Professor of Preventative Medicine and Environmental Health at the University of Iowa. In addition to be being the chair of the Environmental Task Force at Zion Lutheran, Connie Mutel, a plant ecologist, has been associated with the University of Iowa and is the author of various educational materials in the area of environmentalism and environmental health, including a recent book Fragile Giants. Ms. Fisher, Dr. DOnham and Ms. Mutel are lay members of Zion Lutheran Church, a congregation of the ELCA with a baptized membership of just over 1,800. Zion Church is located in Iowa City and has served the community for over a hundred years.

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