Saint Matthew's 11/3/24 Saint Matthew's 11/3/24

Green Gift Guide

Let's harness our consumer power when gift giving! Choose to purchase positively by supporting sustainable, fair-trade, and ethically sourced products. Together, we can make a difference for the environment, communities, and ethical practices. Check out our curated gift guide to shop consciously and spread goodwill with your purchases.

Natalie Van De Veire 10/18/24 Natalie Van De Veire 10/18/24

Challenge 5: Earth-Friendly and Sustainable Landscaping

Eco-Friendly Landscaping for Pollinators:

With cooler weather on the way, consider planting native, bee-friendly, and butterfly-attracting plants in your yard to support Arizona’s ecosystem. Butterfly-friendly plants like Butterfly Mist and Mexican Sunflower help sustain these pollinators, while bee-attracting plants such as Arizona Milkweed and White Yarrow aid in food security. Native plants like Desert Marigold and Brittlebush are drought-resistant and thrive in local conditions. Adding these plants helps preserve our environment while reducing water usage.

Saint Matthew's 8/30/24 Saint Matthew's 8/30/24

Season of Creation

During September through November, we will be celebrating the Season of Creation by offering special Prayers of the People that honor our relationship with God, one another, and God’s whole creation. We pray that humanity might learn to love and honor the rest of the natural world, to grieve and turn away from our selfish and destructive acts, and to work together to transform human hearts and human civilization so that all living beings might flourish.

Saint Matthew's 8/2/24 Saint Matthew's 8/2/24

Challenge #4: Water-Saving Tips for the Hot Season!

🌊 Easy Water-Saving Tips for Summer! 🌊

Looking to cut back on water usage during these hot months? Try these simple steps:

Hand washing: Turn off the tap while scrubbing, and only use what you need.
Car Washing: Check out water-saving methods, like car washes that use recycled water.
Showers: Try an ‘army shower’—get wet, turn off the water, soap up, then rinse.
Toilets: Remember, only flush the three “P’s”: pee, poo, and (toilet) paper.

Small changes can lead to big water savings! 🌍💧

Saint Matthew's 7/1/24 Saint Matthew's 7/1/24

Safe Summer Tips: Clean Produce and Natural Mosquito Repellents

As summer approaches, enjoying outdoor activities and fresh produce becomes a common pleasure for families. However, amidst the joys of picnics and garden parties, it's crucial to remain aware of potential hazards such as pesticide residues on fruits and vegetables, as well as the nuisance of mosquitoes. Keep reaching for practical tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable summer!

Saint Matthew's 6/18/24 Saint Matthew's 6/18/24

Reflections on Global Warming

As I kneel here at the former toe of the Athabasca Glacier, I cannot help but reflect on the profound changes witnessed over the years. In 1948, this spot marked the glacier's edge, a tangible testament to the Earth's ancient cycles of warming and cooling. Today, the glacier lies several meters behind me, retreating steadily due to what many scientists attribute to our human impact on the climate. - Len Salvatori, Parishioner

Natalie Van De Veire 4/30/24 Natalie Van De Veire 4/30/24

Creation Care Challenge #3

Rid your home of toxins

This next challenge is a process, it may take you months to detox your home. Toxins are everywhere and in things that we use daily without ever realizing what ingredients are in them.

Natalie Van De Veire 2/28/24 Natalie Van De Veire 2/28/24

Creation Care Challenge #2

MINIMIZE YOUR RELIANCE ON SINGLE-USE PLASTIC CONTAINERS.

Plastic water bottles can persist in the environment for up to 450 years, exacerbating the alarming issue of plastic pollution. Creation Care urges you to embrace the use of reusable water containers whenever feasible. Over the following weeks, we'll unveil enlightening facts about the detrimental impacts of plastic on both our health and the planet. Armed with this awareness, we believe you'll be motivated to embrace this sustainable habit.

Saint Matthew's 2/14/24 Saint Matthew's 2/14/24

Valentine’s Green Gift Guide

Valentine’s Edition - Green Gift Guide: As consumers we have power! Purchase positively with this invaluable gift guide.

Natalie Van De Veire 1/5/24 Natalie Van De Veire 1/5/24

Creation Care Challenge #1

AVOID USING PLASTIC BAGS BY BRINGING YOUR REUSABLE BAGS WHEN YOU GO SHOPPING.

Did you know that plastic shopping bags are often the cause of storm drain blockage? "Plastic bags block waterways and clog sewers, providing breeding grounds for insects like mosquitoes that in turn proliferate the risk of diseases."

Saint Matthew's 10/20/23 Saint Matthew's 10/20/23

Green Gift Guide Event

Are you feeling the fall holiday excitement? Is it stressful to buy just "the right" gift? We have a "Green Gift Guide" display coming to you after all services on Sunday, November 5th. Your Creation Care team is curating a list of companies that provide Earth friendly products. It will be a delightful display of unique gifts. During the ten o'clock hour, you can browse while enjoying complimentary ice cream! We will not be selling anything; it is simply a display to give you information.

Natalie Van De Veire 6/27/23 Natalie Van De Veire 6/27/23

Cool Celebrations

Happy Fourth of July from your Creation Care Committee! Would you like a couple “cool” ideas for your July 4th celebration that will also go easy on God’s lovely earth?

Natalie Van De Veire 5/23/23 Natalie Van De Veire 5/23/23

Summer Reading

Over the summer, the Creation Care Committee would like to suggest some books for your reading pleasure. Check back often for our latest picks!

Saint Matthew's 5/7/23 Saint Matthew's 5/7/23

Honoring Mother Earth

Honor your Earthly mother and Mother Earth on Mother’s Day!

Saint Matthew's 4/11/23 Saint Matthew's 4/11/23

Earth Day

Earth Day is meant to be a celebration, and it is the perfect time to gather as a family! Plan an excursion to a National Park where you will receive FREE admission on April 22nd. You could also organize a clean up in your neighborhood park or plant bee-friendly varieties in your own backyard to help pollinators survive and thrive.

Natalie Van De Veire 4/7/23 Natalie Van De Veire 4/7/23

Recycle the Unrecyclable

Fed up with restrictions on recyclables? Terracycle is a great option. Many, many brands will take their empty containers back. In fact, they’ll even pay for shipping! Yep, it will cost you $0.00!

Create an account (also free) at Terracycle, and you can look up the many, many brands that will take back their empty containers.

Natalie Van De Veire 4/3/23 Natalie Van De Veire 4/3/23

BeautyCycle

Did you know that Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack have a Beauty Cycle Program? They want to take back 100 tons of beauty packaging by 2025. Take your empty containers, whether you bought them at Nordstrom or not, to Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack and place them in their BEAUTYCYCLE Box.

Natalie Van De Veire 3/24/23 Natalie Van De Veire 3/24/23

Be An Informed & Earth-Friendly Consumer

If you like to shop on Amazon (who doesn’t?!), go to their Climate Pledge Friendly page. There are thousands of products that carry the Climate Pledge Friendly symbol & label.