2010 - The Green Chalice
By June Salyer
The Green Chalice has its roots in the Eco-Justice ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). After a 1977 General Assembly resolution that called for a Task Force on Ecology, a group of 18 people met at the Franciscan Alverna Retreat Center in Indianapolis. The Center is named for the Mt. Alverna retreat center in Italy, given to Francis of Assisi, to honor his concern for the care of and relatedness of all creation.
The Task force authored the “Alverna Covenant” which was introduced to the General Assembly in 1981 the same year of the 800th anniversary of Francis’ birth. The Covenant is a promise to care for God’s creations based on shared beliefs, truths, and actions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
In 2007 under the leadership of the Regional Minister Rev. Greg Alexander and the Rev. Carol Devine, a few members of the original task force became the driving force behind the Central Kentucky Green Chalice movement. Disciples Home Ministries took notice and formed a new partnership. In 2011, Green Chalice became the official ministry for the Disciples’ stewardship of creation.
The Rev. Devine became Minister for Green Chalice and led the program to expand nationally and into Canada. She and Associate Minister, Rev. Scott Hardin-Nieri, continue to lead the Disciples’ Green Chalice program and publish the Green Chalice newsletter.
With a ‘creation care’ team in place and a willing congregation, Woodland became a Green Chalice church in 2010 having made three changes in its building practices. In 2012, Woodland became a ‘certified’ Green Chalice church after meeting a more rigorous standard of care in a variety of areas. Woodland continues its faithful practice of earth care which combines our faith, spiritual practice, and awareness of the environment both inside and outside of the church.
Well done, Woodland!
The Green Chalice has its roots in the Eco-Justice ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). After a 1977 General Assembly resolution that called for a Task Force on Ecology, a group of 18 people met at the Franciscan Alverna Retreat Center in Indianapolis. The Center is named for the Mt. Alverna retreat center in Italy, given to Francis of Assisi, to honor his concern for the care of and relatedness of all creation.
The Task force authored the “Alverna Covenant” which was introduced to the General Assembly in 1981 the same year of the 800th anniversary of Francis’ birth. The Covenant is a promise to care for God’s creations based on shared beliefs, truths, and actions of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).
In 2007 under the leadership of the Regional Minister Rev. Greg Alexander and the Rev. Carol Devine, a few members of the original task force became the driving force behind the Central Kentucky Green Chalice movement. Disciples Home Ministries took notice and formed a new partnership. In 2011, Green Chalice became the official ministry for the Disciples’ stewardship of creation.
The Rev. Devine became Minister for Green Chalice and led the program to expand nationally and into Canada. She and Associate Minister, Rev. Scott Hardin-Nieri, continue to lead the Disciples’ Green Chalice program and publish the Green Chalice newsletter.
With a ‘creation care’ team in place and a willing congregation, Woodland became a Green Chalice church in 2010 having made three changes in its building practices. In 2012, Woodland became a ‘certified’ Green Chalice church after meeting a more rigorous standard of care in a variety of areas. Woodland continues its faithful practice of earth care which combines our faith, spiritual practice, and awareness of the environment both inside and outside of the church.
Well done, Woodland!