St. Andrews Lutheran Church of Grand Rapids, MN has had an active EcoFaith Advocate team for some time, and has been meeting throughout the last year preparing for new projects.  On May 30, the day after International Composting Day, the congregational compost bin was dedicated at the Sunday worship service.  Long in the planning, it is exciting to see a visible stride forward in our congregational commitment to care for creation, and we were thankful to carpenter Chuck Stenson and to Thrivent, as an Action Team card funded the cost of materials.

Situated near the rear of the building and near a kitchen entrance, it will be a means to return food scraps, leaves and grass to the earth to be transformed into rich soil to support new life.  Since our congregation is not having dinners or preparing food of any sort at this time, members have been invited to bring small household amounts to contribute, much like an offering .    When activities are in full swing, we anticipate greater use and look forward to using the good soil around the church grounds.

While this small project will not have a great impact on the current situation of the planet, it will serve as a witness that as Christians we are called to care for all of God’s creation, working in a multitude of ways both locally and globally. 

(At this point, can we put the photo and prayer in that ends the dedication service?  If not photo, here is the text:

A Prayer for Composting:

Lord, as I return these gifts to Your earth,

Teach my heart also to become fertile soil

So that Your Word may grow in me and produce fruit of the Spirit.  Amen.

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