Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to attend Sunday Evening Conversations on Creation, an environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2017 is Connections between People and Nature.
Calling people of all faiths, or no faith at all, to join in caring for our shared environment on Sunday, Nov. 19, from 1:30 – 4:30 p.m. We will engage in hands-on environmental stewardship at the Willow Waterhole Conservation Reserve. This event will offer activities for all ages and skill levels, so bring the whole family, your neighbors and your friends.
Sunday Evening Conversations on Creation Continue…
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to attend Sunday Evening Conversations on Creation, an environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2017 is Connections between People and Nature.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to join them for conversations on Journey of the Universe, an Emmy-award-winning documentary of the 14 billion year history of the universe. The first half of these conversations go into detail on the history of the universe with top scientists. The second half of these conversations are interviews with change-makers in many areas, inspired by our knowledge of this history.
At the January web meeting, we welcome Jaime Gonzalez, Community Conservation Director, Katy Prairie Conservancy, who will address Caring for the Plants that Care for Us. He will discuss the importance of native plants for biodiversity, water absorption, carbon sequestration, the economy, and creating a sense of place. He will link the well-being of eco-systems to human well-being. Jaime will also discuss the work of Katy Prairie Conservancy to restore native prairie, "re-wild" Houston with pocket prairies, offer citizen conservation opportunities and a new initiative to encourage residents to plant the "nine natives" in their yards. Jaime will give details on using these native plantings on your property, will provide resources and outlets for getting native plants, and will even delve into the ethics of saving wildlife by providing native plant habitat. After his talk, there will be time for Q&A to answer your native plant questions. A generous donor has pledged a donation to the Katy Prairie Conservancy if at least 10 people sign up for and attend Jaime’s talk. Please register for this talk, and you will receive an invitation to the web meeting. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2018 is Stewardship.
At the February web meeting, we welcome Bruce Bodson, President/Executive Director of Lower Brazos Riverwatch, who will address Stewardship of Water. Water is a uniquely versatile medium, functioning as a vital resource, a habitat, a recreation venue, and a waste conveyance. As we have often seen in Houston, it is also a destructive force of nature. Stewardship of water entails balancing these functions and our management of the hazard in a manner that allows for protection of the resource, for all the human benefits to be obtained, and still leave a reasonably unimpaired habitat for other species. Here in Houston, the Bayou City, we are blessed with an abundance of waters, but we struggle with maintaining the balance of uses that allows us to enjoy this abundance without causing irreparable harm to the resource. This presentation will examine the resources we have, and consider the effects of the ever growing demand placed on them. It will also look at some examples of local programs that strive to bring balance to our consumption and regulation of the resource. After Bruce’s talk, there will be time for Q&A. Please register for this talk, and you will receive an invitation to the web meeting. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2018 is Stewardship. At the March web meeting, we welcome John Ferguson, soil scientist & owner of Nature's Way Resources, a Houston-based composting, mulch & recycling firm. John's talk is an introduction to a new model of soil science and fertility management called the “Soil Food Web”. It explains how biological (organic) methods work and how they save you time and money in your gardening projects by preventing many problems. The biological methods are sustainable; greatly reduce water requirements, prevent problems, eliminate air and water pollution, sequester carbon, and lower total management costs from property management to erosion control. Learn from the man whose personal garden has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens and several gardening books. After John’s talk, there will be time for Q&A.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2018 is Stewardship.
At the April web meeting, we welcome Bakeyah Nelson, Air Alliance Houston's Executive Director, who will discuss Addressing Ongoing Air Quality Challenges in Houston. Bakeyah will provide her perspective on some of the current air quality challenges that Houston is facing - ones that Air Alliance Houston is working to address to improve public health. These range from concerns about concrete batch plants and metal recycling facilities, to the proposed expansion of I-45. Air Alliance Houston is also working with community partners to address some of the challenges exposed during Hurricane Harvey. Bakeyah will also highlight how you can get involved. After her talk, there will be time for Q&A. Please register for this talk, and you will receive an invitation to the web meeting. Contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com with any questions.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2018 is Stewardship. On Sunday, July 29 at 6 p.m., we welcome Steve Stelzer, Program Director for Houston’s Green Building Resource Center. Steve is an architect with 30 years’ experience who is focused on making Houston a greener place to live and work. He will discuss the center’s work to educate the public on healthy and energy/water/material-conserving design & construction. This mission is accomplished in a number of ways: a showroom highlighting building components, water conservation, site, and energy efficiency, monthly educational seminars on a wide variety of topics, and plan review services to suggest strategies to conserve energy and water, save money, & create a healthier building environment.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2018 is Stewardship.
If you are not registered to vote, or if you have moved & need to update your registration, you can do so at Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston on Sept. 9 & 16. To check if you are registered, and at what address, see https://www.hctax.net/Voter/Search. Bring your TX driver’s license, or state-issued i.d. to register. Or, if you don’t have these forms of identification, you can register using the last 4 digits of your social security number. Get ready to vote in September! Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church is located at 2353 Rice Blvd. Metro buses 41 and 27 stop nearby. For more information, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to attend an Adult Forum that addresses scripture and science. Lisa Brenskelle & Elmer Ledesma, leaders of the Creation Care Team at Christ the King, will consider: Is there conflict or connection between scripture & science? If there is connection, what connection exists? If a connection exists, then scientific understanding matters for people of faith - but, how can they distinguish good science from “fake news”? Join us for this insightful Adult Forum! Christ the King is located at 2353 Rice Blvd. in Houston. Metro buses 41 and 27 stop nearby. For more information, contact Lisa Brenskelle at gcs.lrc@gmail.com.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2018 is Stewardship. In September, we welcome Jordan Fengel, Executive Director of STAR (State of Texas Alliance for Recycling). For nearly 50 years, recycling has been a staple practice throughout many American communities. A recent policy change by the Chinese government in 2017, enacted in 2018, banning many recyclable materials from being imported, has created a conundrum in the recycling industry. The US has relied on China to process our mixed plastic and mixed paper recyclables for the last 20+ years. With China set to eliminate all imports of recyclable materials by 2020, Jordan will discuss what STAR is doing to turn the tide.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to the 2018 Harvest Gathering/Creation Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 27. This free event has fun & educational environmental activities for all ages. Adults can attend lectures by experts addressing the latest science on major environmental issues & what action you can take. Kids can enjoy planting in our pollinator garden, games, fun educational activities, and decorating a pumpkin to take home. Exhibits by local environmental nonprofits will offer more opportunities to learn and engage.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series. In October, Lisa Brenskelle, head of the church’s Creation Care Team, will speak.
Nervous about biking in Houston? Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church and Bike Houston invite you to a free Community Bike Safety Course where you’ll gain the confidence to cycle safely around town.
Escape from the frenzy of the start of the “Christmas shopping season” on an intimate, 24-hour retreat in the beauty of God’s good creation at the Cramer Retreat Center in Spring. This retreat invites you to get ready for the coming of Christ by exploring familiar Advent themes: hope, preparation, joy and peace, with the reconciliation of heaven and earth in mind. Consider how all creation longs for the coming of Christ, and how we are called to witness the Incarnation in our care of all God’s created world and all God’s creatures. Enjoy a time of renewal, reflection, recreation, and restoration on this retreat. The retreat is open to adults, and to youth 10+, when accompanied by an adult.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2019 is environmental issues and what you can do.
In January, Kerri Crawford, assistant professor at the University of Houston, Department of Biology & Biochemistry, will speak on biodiversity loss. Biodiversity loss has been deemed one of the most significant environmental issues facing North America by the U.N.'s Global Environmental Outlook, the U.N.'s flagship environmental assessment.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2019 is environmental issues and what you can do. In February, Dan Cohan, associate professor at Rice University, Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, will speak on climate change. Climate change has been deemed one of the most significant environmental issues facing North America by the U.N.'s Global Environmental Outlook, the U.N.'s flagship environmental assessment.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2019 is environmental issues and what you can do.In March, Hyun-Min Hwang, associate professor at Texas Southern University, Department of Environmental & Interdisciplinary Studies, will speak on plastic pollution in the oceans.
What is our present ecological crisis? What specific issues are central? Lisa Brenskelle will examine the science that explains the present state of our world and the major environmental issues we face. She will then consider how our faith both informs and enables our response to this crisis.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2019 is environmental issues and what you can do.
In April, Robert Mace, professor of practice at U.T. - Austin, Department of Geography, will speak on water issues in Texas. Water Scarcity has been deemed one of the most significant environmental issues facing North America by the U.N.'s Global Environmental Outlook, the U.N.'s flagship environmental assessment.
You are invited to join Rosanne Barone, Program Director in Houston for Texas Campaign for the Environment, for an online talk on Achieving Zero Waste in Houston & What You Can Do. Rosanne will address policymaking at the local and state levels to achieve zero waste goals and address problematic waste facilities, as well as international efforts to curb the production of products that can’t be recycled.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2019 is environmental issues and what you can do.
In July, Jaime Gonzalez, Houston Urban Conservation Programs Manager for The Nature Conservancy, will highlight a variety of local environmental issues, and how local people/organizations are coming together to address them. He will explain tools used for environmental action mapping that make collective action more effective. And, he’ll speak about how all of us can work together to create positive environmental change.
You are invited to the 2019 Creation Care Fest – Environmental Extravaganza! This free event is actually three events in one: lectures by expert speakers on The State of Our World, an exhibit by local environmental organizations, and a family-friendly festival with kids’ activities such as nature/environment-focused games, crafts, encounters with live education animals, seed planting (to take home & watch grow!) and much more.
This free event is actually three events in one: lectures by expert speakers on The State of Our World, an exhibit by local environmental organizations, and a family-friendly festival with kids’ activities such as nature/environment-focused games, crafts, encounters with live education animals, seed planting (to take home & watch grow!) and much more.
Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church invites you to a monthly environmental education web meeting series whose theme in 2019 is environmental issues and what you can do.
In August, T’Noya Thompson, Advocacy Programs Manager for Galveston Bay Foundation, will discuss the health of Galveston Bay. The Galveston Bay Estuary is the largest estuary on the Texas coast and has weathered significant challenges over the years. The Galveston Bay Report Card, a citizen-driven, scientific analysis of the health of Galveston Bay, was created to increase interest in the health of the bay and to create an informed citizenry willing to engage local and state decision-makers on bay issues. The report card is updated annually every August. Learn about the indicators that give you the information you need to be informed, and how you can take action to preserve Galveston Bay!
If you are not registered to vote, or if you have moved & need to update your registration, you can do so at Christ the King Evangelical Lutheran Church in Houston on Sept. 22.
In September, Bakeyah Nelson, Executive Director of Air Alliance Houston, will discuss air quality issues in Houston & how you can take action. Air Alliance Houston believes that everyone has a right to breathe clean air. They conduct applied research, provide education, and engage in advocacy to accomplish their mission. Learn how, by working together, we can deliver cleaner air for a healthier future!
Join Lisa Brenskelle, head of the Lutherans Restoring Creation Team for the Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), for a talk on the Earth Charter. The ELCA voted to endorse the Earth Charter at its national assembly in August. The Earth Charter, while a completely secular document, is an ethical framework for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful society. As such, it’s precepts have much in common with Christian social teaching, and indeed, with the social teaching of many faiths. This first half of this talk will cover the Earth Charter, its origins & principles, as well as materials available from the Earth Charter Initiative. The second half of the talk will explain the relationship between Earth Charter principles & Christian social teaching, using the social statements of the ELCA as a basis
