Creation Care Testimonial

I joined the Atonement Creation Care team because I felt compelled to demonstrate my stewardship of
God’s most beautiful gifts to us. I thought it would be work without reward, work given in humble service
to my Lord. As it turns out, God keeps on giving....
Fulfillment
Our Creation Care team received a lengthy report from the engineering firm which performed an energy
audit for Atonement. The report indicated that most of our campus is great on energy efficiency. Our most
glaring weak spots are the primary wing of the school (the old part) and the sanctuary (the oldest structure).
The engineer did give us come recommendations on what we could do to improve: quick and relatively
inexpensive fixes to get “the low-hanging fruit.” It was fulfilling to hear that we are in decent shape,
energy-wise. Even more fulfillment came when the engineer pointed out that we had taken the time even
to find out where we sit. We are the exception to the rule, as most churches just “bury their head in the
sand.”
Fun
We have arranged an opportunity to be on the St. Louis Cardinals Green Team. We get to see a game for
free, and can get half price concessions. Our “job” will be to collect recyclables between innings and during
pitching changes. We will be recruiting “volunteers” to join us in the fun. We have reserved 20 spots - so
make your commitment early for our Tuesday, June 5, night game. Beyond 20, there is a waiting list, and
the potential that we may do this again (and again, and again).
Family
Central to all our planning is a family-wide participation - both school and church families. Single stream
recycling is now in place. The Creation Care team did the initial research and planning, but we offer thanks
to the church council for budget approval, to Thrivent Action Grant and to Men’s Club for funding for
recycling bins, to the Atonement School Green Team for their enthusiasm and for educating students on
what can be recycled, and to the teachers and office staff for their help in implementing the change.
Flourish
Watching our ideas take blossom and develop is fantastic.
Fervor
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. Why not give it a try yourself? – Steven Rosenfeld