Master Plan – Stewardship of Creation

Master Plan – Stewardship of Creation - Greening
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Environmental Initiatives/Achievements and Results
Zion - A more
prosperous
Church
Zion – A Registered
Accredited Greening
Congregation since
2009
Zion - A Stronger
Attractive congregation
and community SSM
Our Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Sault Ste Marie Ontario, has been a (Certified
Registered Accredited Greening Congregation) since 2009 and is renewed on an annual
basis by the ELCIC National Office and displayed in our church.
Our committee and congregation has been working toward being more responsible as
environmental stewards in the followings areas:
Energy Conservation
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
Ground Care and Maintenance
Become involved in KAIROS’s Energy Campaign
Transportation
Church Communication
Religious Education
Worship and Liturgy
Environmental Justice and Advocacy (Beginning)
With the encouragement from Jouko Jyrkama our Pastor at the time, and especially Pastor
Olavi Hepomaki in Massey on April 17th 2009, who led an intriguing presentation of all that could
be considered in greening with references to ELCIC with its Head office (Stewardship of
Creation) in Winnipeg. Following this meeting a greening committee was initiated and the
following results were achieved.
Activities around the church that reflect greening initiatives are ongoing. They are as follows;
Energy Conservation, Reduce-Reuse-Recycle; Ground Care and Maintenance; Transportation;
Church Communication; Religious Education; and Worship and Liturgy. These (7) are a
constant (work in progress) and acceptable for Accreditation.
Lighting: In addition our Stewardship of Creation (Greening Committee) has been very involved
in projects such as the $30,000 upgrade in lighting in the sanctuary of our church.
St Marys New Hall Extension: This included meetings regarding energy efficiency in the
construction of the building with our building committee and Gerald Holiday from Hawkey
Construction. Measures were taken throughout construction on the new building.
The most important items of achievement were upgrades, above code from the original plans:
New and modern automatic lighting; R 50 insulation in attic; Windows of higher efficiency; ICF
foundation (foam insulation); Fiber Glass Shingles 50 year warranty; Double flush toilets to
reducing water usage; highly efficient double fridge; the most efficient gas heat available;
industrial gas stove with double ovens; and stained glass windows from St Marys resulting in
double glass.
Religious communication - Earth day has been an ongoing practice with the most recent theme
of indigenous people by invitation from Garden River. They are music lodge singers and
drummers and this event has usually been held in the month of April.
Environmental Knowledge; The “Story of Stuff” (a DVD) a 20-minute film that took viewers on a
provocative and eye-opening tour of the real costs of our consumer-driven culture provided by
Carolyn Fremlin and presented on Creation Sunday in place of the sermon.
Hubble Telescope: Words escape us when we view these monumental pictures of colour and
light. The universe, God’s creation – Earth, Venus, Mars, Mercury, Pluto and beyond the sunthere is a vast universe. http://www.zionlutheran-ssm.org/Videos.htmlor http://bit.ly/25c41mF
Activities: Organized field tours within the vicinity of SSM. Our function is to provide education
and awareness to our congregation, visitors and the public. This is acquired through research,
collecting information and data, web site, consulting with outside sources/businesses, such as
Industries in general, Government, Municipal and o/s Agencies.
Attendees & Participants; Our committee, members of council, our congregation and St.
Matthews Anglican Church through invitation. Also visitors and exchange students eg., from
Japan. We are normally received and meet in a Board Room atmosphere for presentation, then
a tour of the facilities, grounds or operations, followed by lunch somewhere in the outdoors,
weather permitting. Later a final condensed report is made available in our library for anyone to
read.
Following are some highlighted achievements and results that are well worth noting for the
reader, attendees and participants from Zion that were acknowledged.
The most economical method of Transportation has been A.J. Bus Lines who have been
supplying Zion with free transportation around the city for tours to various industries. The
exception being distant trips out of town. Each time the bus has been acquired it is with an
occupancy of 30 to 40 people from Zion, St. Mathews and general public. We also send thank
you letters expressing gratification on behalf our Matthews church, for the environment with an
invitation to our church.
Stewardship of Creation Team
Brenda & Steve Cochrane along with their
granddaughter Kaija Wicks. Brenda is
Chairperson of Council, Zion Lutheran Church,
Sault Ste Marie, ON.
Brad Mittleholtz, our Pastor, his wife Terry and
their two children Noah & Ethan. Located at
Gilbertsons Pancake House on St. Joseph Island.
Ex-officio Stewardship of Creation Program.
Robert (Bob) Schroeder, Retired Manager,
Wood. Meas. Section, MNR. ON. Stewardship
of Creation, & Program Coordinator. Fishing on
Ranger Lake.
Marg & Ron Christenson: Marg, Sec.
Stewardship of Creation Program; has served
on World Mission Committee; the Waterloo
Lutheran Seminary Board & Eastern Synod
Council.
Carolyn & Brian Fremlin, Retired Machinist,
Algoma steel & Carolyn Retired School
Teacher. Stewardship of Creation program.
Manfred & TrudI Engel: Retired. Assist,
Professor Lake Superior State University,
Geology: Water Res. & Env. Eng; Physics;
Math; Chemistry; Metallurgy & Pulp & Paper.
Sarah McKenny: Recent grad, of the Adventure Rec.
& Parks Tech. Program, Sault College. Aspirations:
Aspirations; return to college, achieve certificate in
Nat. Res. & Env: Law & become a Conservation
Officer. Stewardship of Creation program..
Renewable energy, Education & awareness Brookfield Renewable Power Inc. 1st October
2010
(Windmill farm), renewable energy,
Wind - A clean renewable Energy. More and more of our
energy is coming from low-impact renewable wind and hydro
sources. That means no oil, no coal, no natural gas and no
nuclear power.
Brookfield Renewable Power is committed to maintaining a
leadership position in sustainable development while
managing a successful business. We produce and develop
clean, renewable and reliable energy from water and wind.
The renewable energy we generate produces exceptionally
low greenhouse gas emissions and in addition helps to protect
environments and their inhabitants against climate change
while contributing to the positive development of communities.
As a renewable energy producer and developer, sustainable
development also means protecting and enhancing the
ecosystems affected by our activities and the communities in
which we work, live and manage our operations.
Brookfield presenter, Gord Finlayson, Electrical Engineer did a
power point presentation for the group and answered several
questions.
Zion in the board Room at Brookfield Renewable
Power
With 126 turbines that power 60,000 homes
In Sault Ste Marie there are only 20,000 homes
Each tower is 300 feet to the top
A ladder inside has 300 rungs to the top
Tip speed of the blade is 272 km/hr
Blade length is 130 feet
Each turbine is checked twice a year and gear oil is
changed twice a year.
Base of the tower 350 feet - contains 300 tons of concrete
The windmill operates at 34% capacity full out
It is a sustainable industry
The noise level is minimal.
Environmental Initiatives - Education &
awareness
Engineering and Planning Department City of
Sault Ste. Marie & Mayors Office April 16th 2010
(Waste Control) The presenters were Madison Zuppa,
Environmental Initiatives Coordinator and Randy Roy, Public
Works Waste Diversion Supervisor, Corporation of the City of
Sault Ste Marie. Both were very knowledgeable and provided
a wealth of information that many of us were not unaware of.
Presentations to Zion council; Project on the go;
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City Hall
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Flood Mitigation - Education & awareness –
SSMR Conservation Authority
30th September 2011
Idle free – fuel efficiency
Service vehicle make over and downsizing more
energy efficient
Thousands of Electrical light bulbs (retrofit) more
energy efficient
Solar light efficiency at flashing stop signs
City deposal site re: special note; Tim Horton’s
coffee grounds
new environmental initiative savings in the way to do
business
Public awareness
On behalf of Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, it was a
pleasure to learn so much about the Sault St. Marie Regional
Conservation Authority (SSMRCA) here in Sault Ste. Marie
Ontario.
Not too many people realize the vast significance & extent of
the authorities’ responsibilities for flood mitigation; the
development and installation of a flood control system that
offers protection to low lying areas in which people previously
endured recurring flooding; & Watershed Management
regarding the wetlands and forest management areas.
In addition to the many trails already in existence; the 25 km
John Roswell Hub Trail multi-use non-motorized trail system;
the main thrust to improve recreational and health
opportunities in the community.
New Walkway Fort Creek Bridge Crossing
Hiking
Forest Health & Science - Education &
awareness - Ontario Forest Research Ministry
Natural Resources 11th March 2011 of the City of
Sault Ste Marie.
(Research, Forest Health, Science) & sustainability
Ontario Forest Research Institute, Forest Research and
Development Section
Our role:
Provide scientific leadership and applied forest research to
support MNR’s mission of ecological sustainability and meet
legal, policy development, operational program, and emerging
MNR science needs
Our team:
Multi-disciplinary team of ~ 50 permanent and contract
research science, professional, technical, communications,
managerial, and administrative staff as well as numerous
partners in agencies and academic institutions inside and
outside Ontario
OFRMNR Evening Photo
Research Areas – OFRI
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Carbon budget modelling/climate change
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Forest pathology
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Forest landscape ecology
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Forest disturbance ecology and modelling
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Forest genetics and tree improvement
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Remote sensing
Tree biochemistry
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Forest growth and yield modelling
Silviculture and forest ecology – boreal and GLSL
Non-timber forest products/bioeconomy
Soils and hydrology
Peat ecology
Tree ecophysiology/regeneration dynamics
Inorganic laboratory analysis/chemistry
what we produce
New scientific knowledge and understanding
Tools, computer models, standards, and monitoring
and evaluation techniques
Scientific peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and
reports
Technology/information reports and user guides
Presentations, field tours, workshops, and classroom
lectures
Expert advice on policy/guideline development,
review, and refinement
Increased scientific capacity and credibility,
collaborative partnerships, leveraged research
resources
Forest Health
u Beech bark disease
u Butternut recovery
u White pine blister rust
u Frost damage
u Aspen decline
u Blowdown
u Invasive species
(Utilization)Producer of Maple flooring and assorted
Products. This mill exercises total utilization.
From the greening committee to everyone that attended this
sawmill tour, we want you to know how much you are
appreciated and thankful for your involvement and
participation.
Since I hadn’t been through this mill for quite some, I too, was
surprised in the marked improvement and expansions of this
sawmill over the last eight to ten years to the point where total
utilization appears to be paramount. As was presented,
Boniferro Mill Works Inc produces 90% Hard Maple lumber
and has some very excellent markets for their product,
example Maple flooring, bowling alleys, furniture components
and an assortment of hardwood specialty products.
Education & awareness - Boniferro Mill ULC
7th Nov 2013 – The Machine shop where saw
blades are sharpened, to provide precision sawing
to avoid waste
From a greening point of view I’m sure we were all intrigued
especially in the use of residue such bark and chips. And
sawdust which is sold locally to Flake Board right here in our
city. Nothing was wasted or left in the yard, total utilization is
today’s norm at the Boniferro mill. This is a credit to Boniferro
and to the forest and to ourselves involved in the Stewardship
of Creation (Greening).
Boniferro Mill ULC receives its supply of products from
Clergue Forest Management Inc. (“Clergue”). Clergue was
formed in 1997 is a shareholder-based sustainable forest
license holder in the Sault Ste Marie area of Northern Ontario.
Boniferro also purchases products/log material from private
lands as well.
History: The Algoma Forest has a total area of 10,033 square
kilometers. Of this, 6,664 square kilometers is Crown Land
managed by Clergue Forest , and is 5,937 square kilometers.
Parks and conservation reserves encompass 787 square
kilometers or 11% of the Crown Land. Two forest regions
occur within the Algoma Forest. The Great-Lakes Forest
Region dominates much of the forest, while the Boreal Forest
Region occupies a smaller part in the north east corner
The history of this mill and previous ownerships are included
and relates back to 1948 when it was established by the
Roddis Lumber and Veneer Company.
The determination of Hardwood Grade and Volume from this
mill is conducted by Hardwood Lumber Graders, licensed by
the National Hardwood Lumber Association, in Memphis
Tennessee.
After debarking and ready for the head saw
General information:
The National Hardwood Lumber Association was established
in 1898 and is the guide to general instruction & Standard
Grades for the measurement and inspection of Hardwood
Lumber in North America.
The Cutting Unit Method is used for the grading of hardwood
lumber and provides a common ground for both the
manufacture of hard lumber and the users of hardwood lumber
to conduct business.
For those who have a genuine interest in wood working and
have had an interest in purchasing hardwood lumber or have
worked in the sawmill industry, enclosed are a few pages that
reflect lumber grading and specifications. I have the complete
NHLA grading book /rules should anyone wish to borrow it.
A letter of appreciation was forwarded earlier to Boniferro Mill
Works ULC. thanking Jim Boniferro and Mike Thompson for
their excellent presentations and tour of the sawmill.
There were 23 members from Zion (participants) in
attendance on this tour, one of which was Albert LeBlanc from
St. Mathews Anglican Church. Thank you Albert for
participating.
Our Greening Committee continues to provide educational and
information awareness to our church and its congregation
through learning initiatives and associations with outside
industry and municipal government.
Prepared by R.P. (Bob) Schroeder
R.P. Schroeder
Waste Not - Environmental Education & awareness
- Flake board – Proposed for Friday, April 25th 2014
(Utilizes all sawdust) for the manufacture of pressed board
Stewardship of Creation (Greening) Tour
On the 24th day of April 2014, we, the members of Zion i.e.
Council, committee representing the Stewardship of Creation
(Greening) and visitors had the privilege of a conducted tour of
the local Flakeboard plant right in our own community of Sault
Ste Marie. We were also pleased to have had the opportunity
of an exchange student, Misato Maria Mori, from Japan
visiting and travelling on the tour with us. There were a total of
21 on the bus.
The production of Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) begins
with the use of residue (sawdust) from various sawmills
throughout Ontario from within a 500 mile radius of Sault Ste
Marie. This source of residue once wasted in the past, is now
very much in demand thanks to new innovation and
technology. MDF is widely used in the production of furniture,
kitchen cabinets, door parts, moulding’s, mill work and
laminated flooring.
Board Room of the Flakeboard industry. John
Metzen Human Resources Flakeboard
Company.
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)
An Environmentally Sound Alternative
Information as provided by Flakeboard Company Limited:
MDF is also made from timber that would be considered too
small for other uses such as the manufacture of standard
plywood. By using residual wood to make the board we
recycle even more of what would have been waste, into useful
products.
The raw material is refined into cellulosic fibers containing
natural lignin. Resin and other additives are added and the
materials are formed into a “mat”. Through continues press,
heat and pressure is applied to manufacture the MDF panels
The surface of MDF is flat, smooth, uniform, dense and free of
knots and grain patterns, all of which make finishing easier
and more consistent, especially for demanding uses as direct
painting and thin laminates. The homogeneous density profile
of MDF allows intricate and precise machining and finishing
techniques for superior finished products. Stability and
strength are important assets of MDF, which can be machined
into complex patterns that require precise tolerances.
Melamine Lamination: Decorative papers, saturated with
reactive resins that are partially cured by the manufacturer,
are placed on top only, or top and bottom, of MDF sheets. A
press applies heat and pressure to fully cure the resin
impregnated paper, and form hard, permanent bonds with
MDF surface.
MDF’s smooth surface, superior edge-finishing qualities ,
dimensional stability, flatness, close tolerances, dentresistance, lower glue usage requirements and absence of
board grain telegraphing have contributed to its wide
acceptance as an ideal substrate for lamination with various
laminating materials.
About our Operation...Flakeboard Company & Georgia
Pacific established a joint venture to construct the MDF facility
that started operations in April, 1996. In 2005, Flakeboard
assumed 100% ownership and also started up the Lamination
operations.
Sault Ste Marie was an attractive location for establishing
manufacturing operations due to access to a skilled work
force, a logistical attractive infrastructure, and being close to a
wood supply. The location also provides Flakeboard with an
excellent strategic position to serve customers in the U.S. Mid
West.
Our facility incorporates the newest in MDF technology,
including a 10 foot by 38 metre Conti-panel-System and
double refining in series process. The facility is capable of
producing the highest quality product on a consistent basis.
About our Culture: We are a team-based operation with
considerable job rotation and cross training. The facility
embraces an operate and maintain philosophy where staff will
flex to the business needs.
There are no supervisors on shift, and staff are empowered to
manage the business. The crews manage their own timetracking, vacation booking, cross-training, and key decisions
to run the business on a daily basis.
We employ a Business Development Team (BDT) to address
mill and employee issues. The focus is to manage the
business through principles and our core values. A high level
of trust is afforded to all staff.
PUC – May 22nd, 2014
(Water Treatment Plant PUC Water Treatment Plant
Thursday. (Keep it Clean, a fitting Title)
On Thursday, May 22nd, 2014 we had a great opportunity to
tour our own water treatment plant in Sault Ste Marie.
Appreciation is extended to Mike Lundrigan for arranging the
tour and especially Greg Pero, a qualified tour guide who
provided excellent information about the services supplied to
the City.
Our group of Zion individuals and others from various walks of
life boarded a bus at the church and headed west for a tour of
the Sault Ste. Marie's water treatment plant on Hwy 550
(Second Line West), owned by the Public Utilities
Commission, and operated by PUC Inc.
Susan & Cliff Graham. Cliff at one time was
closely associate with PUC and contributed this
article for Zion and its congregation.
The new PUC Services Inc. office located on 500
Second Line East Sault Ste Marie, ON.
The tour was to provide us with some insight as to how our
drinking water for the city is treated to make it safe. The
modern looking brick building stands unobtrusively at the side
of the road, tucked into the surrounding forest. Most people
drive by it on the way to the airport without giving a second
thought as to what goes on inside.
The plant treats surface water that is pumped from the raw
water pumping station situated at the end of the highway at
Gros Cap. Even though the water coming from Lake Superior
is of a high quality, provincial regulations require all surface
water that is used to supply municipal drinking water systems
be treated by an acceptable filtration method. All treated water
that is delivered to the distribution system must also be
disinfected and must maintain a chlorine residual throughout
the system. In addition to the surface water plant, treated
water is also supplied to the distribution system from four
different well sites located in the east and west ends of the
city. Our tour did not include any of the well sites.
Our tour of the facility started with an overview of the water
treatment process, and then we made our way through the
plant to view the equipment, including the incoming raw water
line, the coagulation and filtration section, and finally the
chlorination and storage of the finished water. The raw water
from Gros Cap is pumped a short distance east to storage
tanks on Marshall Drive, and at a higher elevation that the
treatment plant. This water then flows by gravity to the
treatment plant. The PUC has taken advantage of this water
flowing down hill to the plant by installing a small turbine
generator in the incoming line to produce a small amount of
electricity.
Within the plant, most of the water treatment process takes
place within closed tanks and piping, so the only visible part is
the top of the filters where the mixers stir the coagulant and
the water then flows down through the filters.
It was interesting to see an operation that most people take for
granted when they turn on their tap at home, and it is
reassuring that there are qualified operators in charge of
ensuring safe drinking water is being delivered.
Following the tour the group headed to the Boots and Saddle
restaurant for a hearty lunch before returning to the church.
Overall, it was a very enjoyable day and a successful learning
experience.
(Food – Maple Syrup) From the Tree to the table.
Touring Gilbertson’s Maple Syrup Pancake House
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church
Saturday, April 18th 2015
Our bus trip began on a beautiful sunny day with Carol Lloyd
as our bus driver for A.J. Bus Lines limited. We departed Zion
at 10:00 am with 34 passengers aboard arriving at
Gilbertson’s at 11:00 am. Four of the passengers were from
St. Matthews Anglican church.
Although we were waiting an hour for breakfast it gave us an
opportunity to view the facilities and the processing plant and
learn how the natural product Maple Syrup is made. And then
there was a 25 minute free tractor/wagon tour of the Maple
bush itself.
Ashley & Baby Brynlee
What an educational and fun loving day. Our greening
committee has done it again, a family affair with Gilbertson’s,
but in the wilds of St. Joseph’s Island in the midst of the Hard
Maple bush. Trees that are 70 and 80 feet in height; there lies
the largest Maple Syrup producer in Ontario. Our Pastor Brad
Mittleholtz, wife Tracy and their two children Noah and Ethan
were also in attendance.
We departed at 2:00 pm arriving back in Sault Ste. Marie
about 3:15 pm. On the way home we stopped along the
roadside where a family of Mennonites’ had honey,
homemade bread, blueberry pies and all kinds of goodies for
sale. When that big bus pulled into their stand it put smiles on
their faces.
Tidbits of Interest/information:
Gilbertson’s Pancake House
Just before the Maple Sap begins run Gilbertson’s
rely on about six Mennonites from southern Ontario
to drill 44,000 tap holes, on 500 acres of land; this is
completed in about a week’s time.
This year’s sap run will not be as good as last year
which was about 12,000 gallons, this year they will be
lucky if they make 8,000 gallons.
About 70% of their Maple Syrup is exported to the
USA. That being exported is shipped in 40 gallon
barrels by transport.
Did you know it takes 40 litres of sap to make one
litre of syrup?
Reverse Osmosis processing is a filtering system
used to remove water from the sap before boiling,
allowing a shorter boiling time.
Gilbertson’s is the greatest producer of Maple Syrup
in Ontario.
Dining Room at the pancake – Ron Christenson
Standing in the background.
Religious Communication – included in all of
our Report
Frederick Buechner writes the following about creation:
To make suggests making something out of something
else the way a carpenter makes wooden boxes out of wood.
To create suggests making something out of nothing the way
an artist makes paintings or poems. It is true that artists, like
carpenters, have to use something else – paint, words – but
the beauty or meaning they make is different from the material
they make it out of. To create is to make something
essentially new.
When God created the Creation, he made something
where before there had been nothing, and as the author of the
Book of Job puts it, “the morning stars sang together, and all
the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38: 7) at the sheer and
shimmering novelty of the thing. “New every morning is the
love / Our wakening and uprising prove” says the hymn.
Using the same old materials of earth, air, fire, and water,
every twenty-four hours God creates something new out of
them. If you think you’re seeing the same show all over again
seven times a week, you’re crazy. Every morning you wake
up to something that in all eternity never was before and
never will be again. And then you that wakes up was never
the same before and will never be again either.
Wishful Thinking: A Seeker’s ABC. Frederick
Buechner, 1993.
We are invited as followers to Jesus to revel in the wonders
that are creation and to take our part as one part of God’s
great creation. For too long humanity has seen creation as
something to be exploited and used for our own purposes and
gains. In recent years, Christians and other people of faith
have rediscovered ancient truths about creation, God, and
humanity’s role as stewards. This continues to be a priority as
the earth continues to be exploited and creation groans.
At Zion we strive to be partners as stewards of creation.
Rejoicing in creation and safeguarding it as a gift for all and for
generations to come.
Pastor Brad Mittleholtz, wife Tracy and their two
children Noah and Ethan, ready for the wagon ride
Because Gilbertson’s Web Site has the whole family history;
how the syrup is made; many recipes Appetizers & Salads;
Main Dishes such as Creamy Maple Baked Chicken and
numerous others we thought it best to put all in print. enjoy.
Religious Education - Finnish Pentecostal
Camp, Lower Island Lake.
Pastor Brad Mittleholtz
Lenni Leoma and Grandson Jack
View of Sanctuary at Lower Island Lake
(Sermon) Our Creation not for sale. Pastor Brad
Bees Making a Difference - Finnish Pentecostal
Camp, Lower Island Lake.
Doug Fairburn “The Algoma Beekeeper”
Vision for the future: "Unique among all God's creatures, only
the honeybee improves the environment and preys not on any
other species. ~ Royden Brown
Modern Family Farming: If modern farming can't
sustain bees, how much longer can it sustain us? Our
bees and farmland ecosystems have been seriously
harmed by neonicotinoids, But that's just the start of
the damage that modern farming is doing to wildlife in
a countryside stripped of wild flowers and drenched
by cocktails of pesticides. The problem is not just
neonics, but the entire model of industrial agriculture.
Doug Fairburn
Phased in Solutions: On July 1, 2015, new regulatory
requirements for the sale and use of neonicotinoidtreated seeds in Ontario will come into effect and be
phased in over a period of time.
The requirements will support the province’s target to
reduce the number of acres planted with
neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seed by 80
per cent by 2017 focused on ensuring that
neonicotinoid-treated corn and soybean seeds are
used only when there is a demonstrated pest
problem.
Reducing neonicotinoid use in these two crops
presents the greatest opportunity to decrease
pollinator exposure to this neurotoxic insecticide.
Conclusions
Our Mission: Our Mission as a Environmental Stewardship committee is to gain awareness and
information through knowledge, education and environmental initiatives for our congregation,
visitors and the public. These initiatives are a part of our discipleship to be stewards of our
creation and learning to be disciples working together.
Our congregation: To our congregation, may we say that our Environmental Stewardship
Committee has made great strides since 2009 in education and awareness regarding greening
and environmental initiatives.
This is accomplished by inviting members of the congregation, visitors, members of other
churches and the public to attend preplanned visitation to sites and organizations such as
Sawmilling and Logging operations, PUC, Brookfield Power, City of SSM, and Government
officials and Municipalities.
There is no better education or awareness than having your congregation and others, being
invited to the boardroom of a corporation and having the message presented to you by
company representatives on location with the opportunity to ask questions. It also allows us as a
church to gain exposure throughout the city. We believe this has made a social and
environmental impact on the community as a church.
First Nation people: Leo and Theresa Binda have participated several times at Zion and are
inspirational native people. Theresa has been singing at the Algoma University and has a
Women’s Hand Drum Group.
She has made many new impressions on all of us for example on the Holy Spirit (Mark 16:15)
which says “We believe that, in boundless love that hungers for justice, God in Christ Jesus acts
to restore and redeem all creation, including human beings. In the cross and resurrection we
know that God is drawn into life’s most brutal and broken places and there brings forth healing
and liberating power. That saving action restores right relationships among all members of “the
whole creation.”
Prepared by R. P. (Bob) Schroeder
January 5th 2016
Pastor Brad Mittleholtz, Ex-officio
Robert P. Schroeder, Greening Steward
Margaret Christenson, Secretary
Brian Fremlin, member
Manfred Engel, member
Sarah McKenny, member