Ohio Compassion Map

This group organizes Ohio’s compassionate efforts, including those organizations created by faith communities. You can search the interactive map by location or look for organizations under service sector, like environment or food and nutrition, to find groups to partner with or volunteer with.

To connect with the Ohio Compassion Map click here.

Image courtesy of ohiocompassionmap.org

Faith Leaders Hand-Deliver Ford Headquarters a Petition to Stand by Clean Car Rules

Faith Leaders Hand-Deliver Ford Headquarters a Petition to Stand by Clean Car Rules

Picture Courtesy of unitedmethodistwomen.org

Clergy and religious leaders from across Michigan and the Midwest hand delivered a message of faith to Ford Motor Company Headquarters. They are calling on the company to publicly stand by national clean car standards.

“As a person of faith, we were called to ask Ford to use their power and influence to stand up for strong clean car standards, as they exist,” stated Marchelle Phelps, president of Detroit Conference United Methodist Women. “The standards are good for all humanity and creation, and we know automakers can meet them.”

To read more, click here.

Columbus Catholic School becomes Designated GreenSpot School

Picture courtesy columbus.gov/greenspot/

The GreenSpot School designation indicates that a school has taken initiatives to educate their students and staff about sustainability, water issues, conserving energy, reducing waste, and green transportation. St. Mary School Catholic school has become the first in Columbus to earn this designation. They have implemented a recycling program, local garden, and composting, which qualified them to become a GreenSpot School. They have created a short video of students discussing their engagement and staff discussing the impact of becoming a GreenSpot School. To watch the video, click here.

Earth Ministries Care More, Car Less Program

Picture courtesy of
earthministry.org

Earth Ministries Care More, Car Less Program is a way to experiment with sustainable modes of transportation, engage the topic as a faith community, and celebrate the ways people can protect the goodness of God’s creation. The program consists of two primary components: encouraging congregants to travel to and from church in an alternative, sustainable way, and inviting each congregant to complete a pledge card stating their commitments to traveling conscientiously in the future. Earth Ministries also provides a workbook with worship aids such as relevant scripture, sermon ideas, and a blessing of travelers. To read more on this program, click here.

A Global Food Fight

Picture courtesy of newcommunityproject.org

A Global Food Fight is an article by David Radcliff posted on New Community Project’s website. It gives scripture passages related to hunger and food production after a story of how hunger impacts people around the world. To read the entire article, click here.

Trains, Planes, Cars… and Bikes

Picture courtesy of newcommunityproject.org

Trains, Planes, Cars… and Bikes is a downloadable brochure from the New Community Project. It is meant to be a guide on alternative ways of getting around in a car centered world. It states that “Cutting back on car use is a step toward peace, health, and the restoration of God’s creation.” To read more or download Trains, Planes, Cars… and Bikes, click here.

Enagaged Orginazation: Technology for the Poor

Pictured above is a dual-purpose bicycle built by Dr. Ebenezer, courtesy of technologyforthepoor.com

Technology for the Poor is a non-profit, charitable organization started by the current president, Dr. Job Ebenezer. Based on the philosophy of George Washington Carver, their work strives to serve communities by providing them with sustainable technologies. These sustainable technologies include human powered energy systems, urban agriculture, and sustainable building technologies. Specific examples of their work includes a dual-purpose bicycle, wind energy generators, low-cost construction techniques, and container gardening. Dr. Ebenezer’s container gardens have made it much easier for urban buildings, such as churches and community buildings, to have their own gardens. To learn more about urban agriculture, click here. For more information on Technology for the Poor, click here.

Congregation Tifereth Israel

What: Congregation Tifereth Israel 2017 Scholar-in-Residence Weekend. Congregation Tefereth Israel will be sharing Judaism and Environmentalism/Sustainability this weekend. You can register below and check out the details on their flyer here.

Where: 1354 E Broad St, Columbus, OH 43205, USA

When: February 3rd, 5:30pm – 9:30pm & February 4th, 9:30am – 9:30pm

Bicycle Pilgrims

Photo Credit: http://www.aljazeera.com /indepth/spotlight/hajj2010/2010/10/ 201010993257862785.html

Two South African men, Haron and Cairncross, went on a typical pilgrimage in an untypical way. These young Muslim men road bicycles all the way from South Africa to the holy city Mecca. Not only was this physically invigorating, but it was spiritually rewarding as well. This was also an extremely sustainable way to travel. To read about their incredible journey and sheer determination, check out the whole story here.

Bicycling to Church

Photo Credit: http://www.bicycletucson.com/blog/bicycles-and-faith-combining-transportation-and-religion/12258

When it comes to meeting for a religious service or ceremony, some people are beginning to switch their mode of transportation to a more sustainable option. More and more people are switching to riding their bikes to their respective houses of worship, as they feel that this is more in line with what their faith teaches. To check out the full story and the challenges that biking may face, click here.