Useful Links:

Eat Local

Web of Creation

Water Stewards

KGMB
(Keep Greater Milwaukee Beautiful)

Every Drop Counts

See the NEW LINK on the left:: "Eat Local"

Lug-a-Mug Each Week

You are invited to bring your own mug/travel mug for coffee after the 8:30 a.m. service. A separate mug table will be set up by the coffee table. Simply put your coffee mug on the table before the service, pick it up to have it filled with coffee, then, take it home to wash. By reducing the number of disposable coffee cups used, we can reduce both manufacturing and disposal waste.

"Covenant with Creation"

Consider making a "Covenant with Creation". A downloadable/printable "Covenant" for families and idividuals is available at this link.

Please support the solar panel project
Excitement builds as solar panels
become a reality at St. Matthew’s

As part of our Caring for Creation work, St. Matthew’s has initiated a project to install PV solar panels on the roof of the education wing. The opportunity to do this project comes from a generous gift of $10,000 and the availability of $30,000 in grant money from WE Energies and Focus on Energy.

Pending approval of the grant money we hope to install a small 5 KW system on the education wing and sell energy back to WE Energies at an advantageous rate. During each month the system will generate electricity equivalent to that which is needed to light the sanctuary for that month.

We need your help to make this system a reality. The total cost of the system is approximately $50,000. With grants, the initial gift and money already pledged ($2,000 in support of Dan and Barb Seitz Ice Age Trail hike) we need another $8,000.

This is an opportunity for St. Matthew’s to be a leader in the community as good stewards of the world God created. Each time we use energy from a renewable source we take a small step toward making the world more livable for all of God’s people, particularly the poor, the elderly, and those who are very young. We ask that you prayerfully consider a donation to this project.

Pastor Gary Erickson ~~ Pastor Chris Manke ~~ Pastor Margaret Schoewe

GREEN TIPS Around the House

SAVE MONEY IN THE BATHROOM -- Buy water-efficient showerheads. With low-flow models, a family of four can cut water usage by as much as 280 gallons a month - and yet not feel much difference in water pressure. Two we like: Kohler’s Master Shower Eco (kohler.com) and Niagara Conservation’s Earth Massage (niagaraconservation.com).
ADJUST FRIDGE AND FREEZER TEMPS -- Refrigerators eat up the most electricity in the household. Maximize efficiency by keeping the fridge at 37 degrees and the freezer at 0 degrees.
RECYCLE SMART --  From furniture to electronics, one person’s trash is another’s treasure - so when you want to dispose of an old item, don’t make the dump your first stop. Two sites with alternatives: freecycle.org and earth911.org. The Freecycle Network describes itself as “a place to give or receive what you have and don’t need or what you need and don’t have - [to keep] stuff out of landfills.” The Earth 911 Web site offers community-specific resources, with a focus on recycling. Check out the home page (earth911.org) to find out where you can recycle your computer, your cell phone - even used motor oil.

10 Tips to Get Your Green On

• Turn off the ights or the TV when leaving the room
• Turn off the tap when you are washing your hands or brushing your teeth
• Remember to recycle your magazines, newspapers, soda cans, etc.
• Walk, bike or take the bus to school, work and church
• Borrow books, CDs and movies from libraries or friends instead of buying them
• Plant a shade tree on the sunny side of your house.
• Use washable plates, cups and silverware instead of plastic
• Set the thermostat in your house two degrees cooler in winter and two degrees warmer in summer
• Use fluorescent light bulbs instead of incandescent
• Take vacations close to home or take a train instead of a plane when going farther away