www.gipl.org

P.O. Box 286 Decatur, Georgia 30031

404.377.5552

Sustainable Celebrations A guide for embracing

simplicity and sustainability

in faith communities who celebrate!

What Matters Most Late fall and early winter in Georgia finds faith communities

preparing for festival season. As the temperatures cool and leaves

change colors, a celebratory mood fills the air and we turn to what

matters most. Gathering with loved ones to remember with gladness

and thanksgiving the goodness that fills our collective life. Our

different faith traditions invite us to reflect on this same topic with a

variety of expressions. Yet, our cultural experience of this festival

season more aptly reflects a time of frenetic activity marked by over-

consumption, over-spending and over-reaching boundaries. People of

faith can choose a different path, though, and return to what matters

most this time of year – celebrating the goodness found in our

relationships with others and with our Earth.

Sustainable Celebrations is a guide for such a time as this. We have

consolidated resources and ideas from many of the faith traditions.

Our hope is that as you use this guide for your own witness, you also

learn something about what our brothers and sisters in other faiths

are doing to celebrate this season. May all our celebrations be

sustainable and earth-honoring!

That’s how much trash Americans collectively throw out EVERY WEEK

between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. That’s 25% more on average than

any other week of the year. Make a pledge this year to reduce your waste as

you celebrate! Check out GIPL’s Waste Wise program.

Includes tips for: Thanksgiving

Christmas

Hanukkah

Muharram

Diwali

Winter Solstice

New Year’s

One Million Tons

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A Sustainable Thanksgiving

1) Live gratefully. Gratitude is the first step towards conservation. Meister Eckhart said that if the only prayer we ever said was “thank you” that would be enough. It has also been said that saying “thank you” makes all that we have be enough. Check out www.gratefulness.org for more ways to express your gratitude this season.

2) Embody the 3 Rs in all you do. About 28 billion pounds of food is wasted every Thanksgiving. That’s 100 pounds

per person in the U.S. Because of

the increased volume of food we prepare, we must take extra steps to reuse, recycle and compost all that we can. Make a commitment to this effort and share that with your holiday guests. Everyone can do their part. Celebrating the abundance also does not mean preparing more food than your party can enjoy. Consider reducing the menu slightly.

Thanksgiving is a celebration of the fall harvest—a time to give thanks for the bounty of food our land provides. We know that this bounty cannot be enjoyed without a healthy environment. So, how might we use this celebration to be more aware of our earth, becoming more grateful and less wasteful? Also, consider that two-thirds of all Americans are overweight or obese and 17 million households are food insecure (meaning they don’t have regular access to food). We offer these ideas as ways to make your Thanksgiving meal an opportunity to support sustainable agriculture, reduce your water use and go on a low carb(on) diet. Try these ideas for a festive, simple and sustainable holiday of gratitude.

This will help lessen the amount of food thrown away. Encourage your congregation to donate leftovers from its holiday gathering to a local food bank or homeless shelter. Make such arrangements before the feast to be shared.

3) Eat and drink locally. The average holiday feast travels 3,000 miles to your table. Commit to reducing that distance to 200-300 miles by supporting farmers in Georgia, the Carolinas, Florida and Alabama. Not all foods can be procured regionally but most can when thought is put into it. Foods will be fresher too. In the least consider a heritage turkey raised sustainably from a local farmer. Choose

organic over conventionally grown produce and meats as

well. Check out Local Harvest for

listings of regional farmers and purveyors.

4) Travel responsibly. As members of your faith community make travel plans this holiday, encourage them to consider purchasing carbon credits to offset fossil fuel use (either by car or plane). More information can be found at www.cdmgoldstandard.org.

5) Share abundantly. Let everyone know that you are working to lighten your eco-footprint this year (and beyond), and invite new ideas and participation.

Once we realize how well the earth provides for us, we will begin to care for the earth in a new way.

Visit GIPL’s Worship page for scripture and prayer resources.

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Qur’an

2:152

14:7

31:12

“In Islam thanksgiving is not only a particular religious act or service; it is the whole life. The

whole life should be lived in obedience to our

Ultimate Benefactor, Allah . God has been good

to us and so in our thankfulness we should worship Him, obey His commands and orders. Our daily

prayers, our fasting during Ramadan, our Zakat and Hajj are all our acts of thanksgiving. We

should do them not only as duties that must be performed but as our gratitude to our Lord and

Creator.” Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi2

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Celebrating Thanksgiving with Prayer & Worship

Judeo-Christian

Genesis l:l-28- Creation Story

Genesis 9:8-17- God's Covenant All Creation

Psalm 8- The Majesty of God

Psalm 65- Thanksgiving for God's Blessings

Psalm 104- Praise of God the Creator

Psalm 107 – Thanksgiving for Deliverance from Trouble Psalm 146- Trust in God Alone

Psalm 147- Zion's Grateful Praise to Her Bountiful Lord

Psalm 148- Hymn of All Creation to the Almighty Creator

Revelation 21:14-New Heavens and New Earth

It is believed that the first Pilgrims as they

landed in the New America recited Psalm 107 in gratitude for the journey survived.1

1www.jewishideasdaily.com

For each new

morning with its light,

For rest and shelter of the night,

For health and food,

For love and friends,

For everything Thy goodness sends.

--Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-

1882)

Suggested Web Links:

A Thanksgiving Liturgy of Gratitude,

Prayer, Song, and Feast

Thanksgiving Prayer

A Buddhist Thanksgiving Reflection

Visit GIPL’s Worship page for scripture and prayer resources.

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Lo.’ The number of the months with Allah is twelve

months by Allah ‘s ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are

sacred: that is the right religion. So wrong not yourselves in them. Holy Qur’an (9:36)

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic year, which follows a lunar calendar. It is a month of peace

and remembrance. The word muharram literally means “forbidden.” Thus, Muslims must refrain from

fighting and bloodshed during Muharram.

While some observe Muharram with fasting, it is not required like in Ramadan. On the tenth day of the month, Muslims mark the Day of Ashura (Yaumu-l 'Ashurah) with fasting. It is believed that such

practices will forgive all the sins of the previous year. Ashura is considered the most sacred day of this month. Some also mark Ashura with gifts to charity.

Regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sunset. It is estimated that Muharram is from late October through November most years.

Muharram Islamic New Year

Sustainable Practices for Muharram & Ashura adapted from green-muslims.org

Lessen your carbon footprint. Encourage members to carpool, ride a bike, or walk to services. Forgo styrofoam! Restaurants, picnics, and parties are often filled with styrofoam plates or cups, so encourage “bring your own” reusable tableware to reduce waste. If Styrofoam is necessary, make sure to recycle it.

Be mindful of your usage. Conserve electricity, gas and water. Be conscious of waste. Do your wudu with less water, cook with less, or pray by candlelight.

Host a Zero-Trash Event. Ask people to bring their own plates/utensils or provide reusable tableware. Use Green Khutba resources to share some tips to continue the environmentally-conscious ideas through the year. Turn leftovers into a creative new meal! Don’t waste a morsel!

Fast through the year. Eat less. Remind yourself the mercy of fasting throughout the year. The prophet pbuh would often fast on Mondays and Thursdays. It is a way to remain mindful of the bounty bestowed on you through the year! When foods are enjoyed, choose healthy, fresh, local produce. Get to know your local farm stand.

Plant a tree for peace and dedicate a prayer for a non –violent world.

Give charitable gifts to organizations working to improve environmental

health in communities all over the world – ex: Carbon Covenant.

Pray under the stars. Remind yourself how small you are by praying

under the vastness of the sky that holds us. We are small but our impact can be large. As inheritors of the earth, how are we fulfilling the trust we have with God to protect it? Pray for our planet and each other.

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Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is an African

American and Pan-African

holiday which celebrates family,

community and culture.

Celebrated from 26 December

thru 1 January, its origins are in

the first harvest celebrations of

Africa from which it takes its

name. The name Kwanzaa is

derived from the phrase

"matunda ya kwanza" which

means "first fruits" in Swahili, a

Pan-African language which is

the most widely spoken African

language.

Kwanzaa was created in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, professor of Africana Studies at California State University, Long Beach, author and scholar-activist who stresses the indispensable need to preserve, continually revitalize and promote African American culture. Finally, it is important to note Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, not a religious one, thus available to and practiced by

Africans of all religious faiths who come together based on the rich, ancient and varied common

ground of their Africanness.

Check out GIPL tips

online.

Consider how conventional culture has influenced religious customs this time of year telling us we are not satisfied until we’ve done more

and spent more. Now consider how to experience a more sustainable Christmas - ecologically, financially, emotionally and spiritually.

Covenant with friends and family to embrace simplicity so that all of creation may fully know the joy, hope, peace and love throughout

Advent as Christians together journey to the manger of their Savior.

Reclaiming Advent:

A guide from PCUSA.

1. Purchase your holiday tree from a local Christmas tree farm, if

you even must have a tree. Local Christmas tree farms are considered sustainable forestry practices, reduce fossil fuel

consumption in transporting trees cross-country, and support a

local farmer. Learn more about the Great Tree Debate and

Recycle your Christmas Tree.

2. Use natural, fresh greenery in holiday decorations as well as bare branches, pine cones, berries and other items found in nature. Eliminate plastic from seasonal decorations.

3. Offer gifts of time and service in lieu of material gifts. Rekindle relationships and enjoy the gifts of friendship. Make time to be

with those whom you love instead of time shopping for the “perfect” gift. Make time for a special outing together.

4. When purchasing goods, buy fair-trade, sustainably-sourced

and/or locally sourced items. This not only applies to Christmas gifts but to the holiday foods and meals you will enjoy together.

5. Consider a gift of energy and/or water efficiency. Give the gift

of carbon offsets. Give LED lights or energy efficient light bulbs as gifts. Make an investment in alternative energy with a carbon offset purchase. Put together a water conservation kit that

includes water aerators, reusable bucket to collect bath water, toilet-tank water savers. It may not seem glamorous but folks will

appreciate the time taken to collect these items. Offer to help install the items too.

6. Consider a gift of eco-friendly cleaning products. Folks will appreciate the time spent collecting these useful items. Recipes and ideas are plentiful!

7. Think outside the box – the big box stores, that is. Shop at consignment stores, antique stores and vintage boutiques. Gently

used items and re-gifting are extremely eco-friendly.

8. Enjoy the outdoors. Get outside and see the new thing our God is doing in this change of seasons. Use this time to cultivate

silence and give thanks for the goodness that has come to you since last Christmas.

9. Do one less thing this holiday season – one less party, one less decoration, etc. Allow space to wonder in the sacredness of this time of year. Yes, it is possible to slow down and still have great

joy at Christmas.

10.Go tell it from the mountains – about your plans to dial down

Christmas this year. Your sharing just might inspire others to do the same. Covenant with a group in your congregation to make

this ritual of intention and simplicity a shared experience this Advent and Christmas.

A Sustainable Advent & Christmas

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Go Green at your Church’s Advent Event!

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More Ideas for a Green Christmas:

Sustainable Gift-giving Reduce your Holiday Waste

Greening Your Gift-Wrapping A Sustainable Holiday Feast

A Sustainable Advent & Christmas

Worship & Liturgy:

Preparing for a New Light

Praying with Creation in

Advent & Christmas

from Web of Creation

Many churches host annual Advent events to help folks of all ages prepare for the season. Fun crafts, food and fellowship are often shared. This event can easily go green without sacrificing quality of

program. Try these ideas at your next Advent Event!

1) Scale back the number of crafts offered. Simplifying the program will contribute to a peaceful atmosphere and help participants begin the practice of slowing down for the season.

2) Use eco-friendly, natural materials for craft supplies. Use items found in nature. Use recyclable materials. Reuse items such as magazines and paper rolls for craft ideas. Make sure finished items

can be recycled or composted after they have been enjoyed for a Christmas season or two.

3) If making Advent wreaths, gather fresh, natural greenery from church members’ yards to be

shared at the event. Have participants reuse wreath forms from previous years (collecting them in the weeks leading up to event.) Don’t use fake greenery that includes harmful toxins and plastic.

4) Offer the chance to make beeswax candles for Advent wreaths. Beeswax candles are the eco-

friendly choice. Learn more about the benefits of beeswax. Conventional candles are made with

harmful paraffin which is not eco-friendly.

5) If serving food, choose a simple, healthy and seasonal menu that does not include a lot of sugar. This can also be a way for participants to see how to have a healthy, more sustainable holiday

meal. Remember to use reusable dishware and recycled paper products.

6) Offer a holiday gift market that includes fair-trade goods and sustainable gifts.

Green Menorah Covenant

Hanukkah is celebrated for eight days beginning

on the 25th of Kislev (mid- to late-December).

Since Hanukkah falls four days before the new

moon and close to the winter solstice, it seems only natural that a key element of this holiday is

light. It is the "Feast of Lights" (along with

"Feast of Dedication" and "Feast of the Maccabees"). The essential ritual of Hanukkah

is the lighting of candles or Menorah.

It seems natural for Hanukkah to be a sustainable holiday, according to religious activist Rabbi Arthur Waskow1. The central story of using one day’s oil to meet eight days’ need is a reminder to conserve

resources. The vision of the prophet Zechariah in which the Temple Menorah is depicted as a living being flanked by olive trees feeding oil into it also expresses the profound connection between nature and

humanity. The spirit of Hanukkah is to turn individual actions outward for the rest of the world to see. (The Shalom Center)

Use environmentally sustainable candles. Beeswax or soy wax and oil provide more natural alternatives to the traditional paraffin Hanukkah candles, which contain harmful toxins.

Green your Hanukkah decorations. Try crafting a dreidel out of recyclable materials. Remember making an alphabet block Hanukiah as a child?

Recreate the experience with your family or community, and see how creative you can make your Hanukiah. Make your decorations from

recycled or recyclable paper with family. If you’re not into crafting, look into buying an eco-friendly Hanukiah that is made from recycled products or

uses LED lights.

Buy organic and/or local food (even oil). Lighten up your latke routine. Consider using local yams

and sweet potatoes. Recycle the frying oil.

Give money, or your time. Instead of giving chocolate Hanukkah gelt, give money to charity – environmental organizations or hunger relief agencies. Invest in community!

Make your own gifts. Take a photo and create your own frame, knit a scarf or a hat, or make your own beeswax candles. Also, bake a special Hanukkah dessert to give to friends and family. Personal gifts are not only special, but they can also add meaning to your celebration.

Buy Fair Trade chocolate. If you still want

chocolate gelt, opt for Fair Trade choices.

Save paper. Send environmentally-friendly e-cards as opposed to the traditional paper cards. Or, buy cards made from recycled paper. In addition, use recycled or recyclable paper when wrapping gifts.

Celebrate 8 Days of Action. After lighting your menorah each evening, dedicate yourself

to being more environmentally aware and enacting food and energy justice.

An Eco-Friendly Hanukkah

Hanukkah

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Winter Solstice New Year’s In the Northern Hemisphere, the

winter solstice occurs on December 21 and marks the

beginning of the winter season. It's the shortest day of the year,

featuring the least amount of daylight between sunrise and

sunset. Solstice literally means “sun stands still.” The holiday timing of the winter solstice is

rooted in ancient religions. Throughout history, humans

have observed this seasonal milestone and created spiritual

and cultural traditions to celebrate the rebirth of sunlight after the darkest period of the

year.

The winter solstice is a time to

celebrate the fact that we still

depend on the sun and Earth for

survival. Try relying on the

natural rhythm of light and dark by fasting from electricity use for

one day. Join friends and family for a festive gathering outside around a fire pit. Take a walk in

nature with lanterns. Offer a blessing for the fresh winter air

and night sky. Enjoy a potluck meal with friends, encouraging a

menu of local, seasonal foods. Decorate with fresh greenery. Create new meaning for this

ancient tradition. Release into the darkness the failures and

regrets of the past year. Embrace the light and recommit to a sustainable New Year.

A gala time for every Indian, Diwali is the grandest celebration for Indians all over the world.

Usually in October or November, it is the five-day celebration of the

triumph of light over darkness. Earthen lamps shine on moonless

night to exalt all that is good and to discard away everything that is evil.

Make it a Green Diwali:

Reduce electricity use by lighting

diyas, conventional earthen lamps. Use beeswax or soy candles. Commit to using less electricity

throughout the celebrations.

Eliminate plastic from decorations and use only fresh flowers. Compost once it’s time to discard.

Make eco-friendly rangoli.

Give organic, fair-trade gifts. Choose recyclable gifts and

eliminate excessive consumerism.

Buy vintage gold not newly mined gold jewelry. Share what you have with people in need.

Reduce amount of firecrackers at

your celebration or choose eco-

friendly firecrackers. Wishing

Diwali Balloon and Butterfly are good

options. In addition to toxic

manufacturing of firecrackers, air and noise pollution from firecrackers is harmful to all

creatures.

A greener New Year’s

celebration is like all the other events in this guide – the goal

is to lessen our impact and focus on what matters most in

our lives. Make your New Year’s a time to celebrate the

goodness of the Earth and all that it has and will continue to provide.

Serve organic and local food and beverages. Lots of

organic wine & champagne is on the market now as well as

great craft beers.

Don’t over-consume and do commit to not wasting food.

Decorate with natural

materials instead of plastic. Don’t use disposable party décor or favors. Use cloth

napkins and table coverings.

Don’t use disposable

dishware. Borrow reusable

ceramic or glass plates if you need more for your party.

If a new party outfit is

needed, buy vintage or from

consignment. Do we really need a new outfit from a

department store?

Spend time outdoors. Instead

of New Year’s fireworks, take a walk under the midnight sky

with friends.

www.gipl.org

Diwali