Earth Stewardship
OUR PURPOSE
The mission of the FVPC Earth Stewardship Committee, as adopted in December 2021 is as follows: The Earth Stewardship Committee at FVPC seeks to educate and engage our church community in the mission of earth care.
The current FVPC Vision Statement includes the following: Care for God’s creation through education, sustainable practices and worship.
Implementing these two statements defines the purpose of the Earth Stewardship ministry at FVPC.
If you have questions about the Earth Stewardship Ministry at FVPC, please contact Jeff Mengler.
Upcoming Landscape Workdays
Join us for our fall landscape workdays! All ages are welcome. Come for the whole time or for what you can - all help is appreciated. Your participation supports our move toward a more sustainable, inviting and functional landscape for ourselves and our community.
September 13, 9:00-11:30 am
Planting small shrubs and perennials, weeding and trimming groundcover
October 25, 9:00-11:30 am
Planting bulbs to beautify our church garden
Organizer for these events: Building and Grounds Committee
(Posted 9/2/25. Source: Canva slide created by Matt Fleshman.)
EcoWalks
Our Earth Stewardship Team sponsors quarterly EcoWalks, led by a naturalist, in accessible locations in local forest preserves. Our EcoWalks are designed as intergenerational experiences and generally take place on Saturdays.
For upcoming EcoWalk dates, click on the calendar button at the top of this page.
Monthly Styrofoam, Plastic Bag and Bubble Wrap Recycling
STYROFOAM RECYCLING INFORMATION
Our Earth Stewardship team sponsors a monthly Styrofoam, plastic bag and bubble wrap recycling event at FVPC on the first weekend of the month. Hard Styrofoam packing material (#6) and clean foam food containers are welcome. As the #6 Styrofoam breaks up easily, please break it down to make more space in the collection bin. No straws, plastic, paper, soft flexible packing foam, packing peanuts, or other materials, please.
If you have questions on Styrofoam recycling, contact Jeff Mengler.
PLASTIC BAG AND BUBBLE WRAP RECYCLING INFORMATION
There is a container just inside the front entrance vestibule for continuous plastic recycling. Please check the poster on the front of the container for instructions. Clean plastic bags and bubble wrap will be recycled. Please turn the bags inside out, to assure there are no receipts, etc., in the bag. Place smaller bags inside a larger bag. Remove any plastic shipping tape from bubble wrap.
If you have questions on plastic bag recycling, contact Harrison Schneider.
For a list of recycling dates, click on the calendar button at the top of this page.
Landscaping Plan
Our congregation is moving toward a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to the care of the church landscape. We are working on a five-year plan for landscape care that will reduce maintenance costs over time as well as be more eco-friendly. Opportunities for your input on our landscaping plan will follow a proposed series of landscape workshops titled “Sustainable with Style, ” planned for Spring 2026 at FVPC.
In our “Sustainable with Style” workshops, we will discuss how we can provide functional, outdoor spaces so that our landscape becomes a resource rather than a burden. We will be learning about how to conserve our natural resources, and how we can reduce air and noise pollution.
Some of our landscaping plan changes have already taken place, both subtle and more obvious. Click here to read more about this and see photos of our progress!
Questions? Contact Karla Lynch.
Pollinator Garden
Have you visited our Pollinator Garden yet? It’s adjacent to the Great Hall, at the east end of the building.
Begun in Fall 2023, our Pollinator Garden is a work in progress, with FVPC members, friends, children and youth making it happen. Pollinator insect populations are declining globally, so our Pollinator Garden plays an essential part by providing food sources for pollinators.
Watch us - and join in - as we expand the Pollinator Garden in Fall 2025! Click here to read more about our Pollinator Garden and what you can do to help our vital pollinators.
Questions about our Pollinator Garden? Contact Jeff Mengler.
Green Tip
The Earth Stewardship Team regularly publishes a Green Tip e-newsletter full of helpful information. To be added to the mailing list for the Green Tip, along with other FVPC e-newsletters, please email the church office.