• A Path to Simple Living: Escaping a Hectic and Cluttered Lifestyle

  Date: Thursday, February 23, 2012
  Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
  Event Details:
  Come learn practical ways you can make a shift to a more peaceful and simple lifestyle. We will explore what simple living is, the spirituality and principles that support this choice, proven ways and tools to help you simplify, and how to overcome obstacles to this goal.
  Cost: Suggested donation of $15, but give what you can
  Location: St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, 6630 Nall Ave., Mission KS 66202 [ directions ]
  Contact: Please pre-register by Feb. 21 by contacting Don Kosmicki 913-384-6423 or dnksmck@gmail.com.
  [ Download brochure ]

• Green Team Training

  Date: Saturday, March 10, 2012
  Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
  Event Details:
  This training will help you start an effective Green Team, or improve an existing one. It will include topics like: how to get buy-in from congregation leaders, where to find good team members, how to have good meetings and planning, successful green initiatives you might undertake, resources, and more.
  Cost: $20; $15 for second person from your group; $10 for each additional person
  Location: Valley View United Methodist Church, 8412 W. 95th St., Overland Park, KS 66212 [ directions ]
  Contact: Please register by March 8 by contacting Melissa Wurtz at 913-485-7738 or melissa.wurtz@gmail.com.
  [ Download brochure ]

Check out these web sites for more upcoming local events:

• Bridging The Gap’s Upcoming Events
• Greenability Magazine – Events
• Kansas City Food Circle Calendar of Events
• Kansas City Green Zone Community Events
• Land Institute Calendar
• MARC Environmental Programs
• Sierra Club Events – Kansas
• Sierra Club Events – Missouri
• Village University

Featured Past Events

• The Facilities Managers’ Workshop, held August 17, was a raving success! 60 congregation leaders learned about ways to green their facilities, and were eager to put them into practice. The presenters were excellent and we are grateful to them for sharing their time and expertise. They included Patty Banks on green landscaping, Bruce Snead on green remodeling and building, Ken Perdue on responsible purchasing and recycling, Scott Burnett on energy usage, and Gary Walker on non-toxic cleaning. Here are a couple of the PowerPoint presentations on Responsible Purchasing and Recycling and Buildings and Renovation.
  

  Attendees at the Facilities Managers' Workshop on August 17, 2011

  

  Margaret Thomas with fellow attendees Jerry Hollembeak and Chet Johnson at the Facilities Managers' Workshop on August 17, 2011

• Green Team Training, held on February 26, 2011, was attended by 21 people representing 13 congregations. Participants learned practical ways to start and maintain a successful Green Team.
  

  Annette Becker, Nancy Hanson, and Phil Rhoads at the Green Team Training on February 26, 2011

• The Awakening the Dreamer, Changing the Dream symposium, sponsored by the Sustainable Sanctuary Coalition and held on October 24, 2009 in conjunction with 350.org‘s International Day of Climate Action, was attended by approximately 50 people from around the Kansas City metro area. The response was overwhelmingly positive, and participants left feeling hopeful and better informed about how to create an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, and socially just world. The event was held again on April 10, 2010 and was equally successful. If you would like more information on offering the symposium to your group or congregation, please contact facilitator Mike McCord at 913-829-3854.
  

  Participants at the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium on October 24, 2009

• Lecture and workshop by Rev. Peter Sawtell, director of Eco-Justice Ministries of Denver, Colorado, fall 2008. “Why People of Faith Must Address the Ecology Crisis.” Sponsored by the Sustainable Sanctuary Coalition for the wider Kansas City faith community.
  

  Rev. Peter Sawtell, Director of Eco-Justice Ministries,speaking to workshop participants on how faith communitiescan foster Earth care. More than 40 people from a variety of congregations attended the lecture.

• Green Team Training, held January 31, 2009 at Country Club United Methodist Church. Attended by 35 enthusiastic participants from a variety of area churches.
• Kansas Clean Energy Day II held March 19, 2009 at the Kansas Capital in Topeka. SSC joined hundreds of Kansans at a rally for a clean vote on clean energy.