Located in the Permian Basin (One of the world’s largest oil and gas producing regions) First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Carlsbad, New Mexico has made a public stand for Reasonable, Responsible Regulation of the industry including advocacy at the United Nations COP Conference in Madrid, Spain and legislative hearings at the State Capitol. We’ve also installed solar on the roof of the church and now produce more electricity than we consume. We are a minority voice in a hostile environment of petroleum exploitation (a voice crying out in the wilderness) but remain faithful to eco justice!

Beargrass Christian started their Green Chalice process in 2017 and were designated a Certified Green Chalice Congregation in 2020. Since the inception of the Green Team we have set out to green our congregational footprint and educate our congregation. To start the greening of our congregation we had an energy audit done by the Ky interfaith Power and light Team. From that information we replaced all lights to LED’s, put occupancy sensors in the bathrooms, closed many of the leaks in the building envelopes, and added some insulation. We are collecting data on our energy usage to prepare for money for solar panels. The most visible things we have done are: installing a pollinator garden. (We have received many positive comments by visitors to the Farmer’s Market) We had a successful styrofoam recycling drive, planted trees in new yards of Habitat Homes, and used real dishware rather than plastics for our Lenten Service and meal.

Twisted Trunk Community Garden is located right next door to our church. In recent years, we have partnered with the local college, Georgetown Baptist Church, and a local dinner church, Green Christians, to maintain this vegetable, herb, and wildflower garden. The garden acts as a site for fellowship, play amongst the children of volunteers, and a model of care that requires open communication, collaboration, and understanding. It is an outdoor meeting site, a place for worship, and a space to provide food for ourselves and our neighbors. The garden teaches us that God’s abundant love is best found in the work of our hands, service with one another, and in community. It reminds us of what is possible with God’s Kingdom here on Earth.