Speaker notes for meeting for learning presented by Brad Stocker at the meetinghouse on  9/4/2016:

How has the meetinghouse greened itself

For some time now Miami Friends Meeting has had a commitment to Earth.

Friends elsewhere have too.

 

My first knowledge of it was when Janet Lancelott connected us to Quaker Earthcare Witness and shared materials from that Friend’s organization. MFM became the only meeting i

know about to send a representative to the QEW meetings and continues to support that even when SEYM made me their rep.

 

While we Friends are autonomous in our structure, bottom up, we are within the context of the Greater Everglades Bioregion and within the folds of SEYM.

SEYM’s queries and advices for the 11th Month are:

Care of the Natural World

The Eleventh Month SEYM Queries and Advices

Queries:

• Do we live in harmony with nature?

• Do we live in keeping with the spirit of the unity, sacredness, and integrity

of all creation?

• Do we seek to minimize our consumption of the earth’s resources?

• Do we encourage equitable and sustainable use of those resources?

• Do we walk gently over the earth, seeing that of God in all of nature?

• Do we seek to educate ourselves, our children, our meeting, and our

community about how our lives can be more in harmony with the earth?

• Does the meeting strive to bring all its practices in harmony with the

natural world?

Advices:

• Maintain in ourselves and encourage in others a sense of responsibility for

the environment, both for the present and for future generations.

• Avoid amusements that stimulate destructive emotions, are detrimental to

the health or tranquility of others, or are damaging to the natural

environment.

• Show a loving consideration for all creatures, cherishing the beauty and

wonder of all God’s creation.

• Share our sense of reverence and stewardship for the earth.

 

So we can see that Earthcare is a testimony and that our greening activities are witnessing. This is a moral, ethical, faith based caring.

We are assessing our environment for its place within the larger context. Awareness is important to support these things we’ve done. For example, we changed out halogen, 50w heat producing bulbs with 6w LED equivalent lumens and low heat output. Someone replaced them with halogens. Possibly they burned out. But with awareness and attention they would

have been replaced with other LEDs. So, a Friend suggests we look at what we have to raise our awareness, influence our actions, and see what’s next.

 

Here is an initial list.

 

Rechargeable batteries for sound system

            lowers land fill impact

            keeps mercury and other toxins out circulation

            saves resources

sound system invites those hearing challenged into the worship a caring for human species

                       

The air conditioning system.

            could be argued that we should have none but that’s been decided

            high ERR  or Energy Efficiency Rating

            we changed out the older system for a higher ERR on all of the ac except library

            we split the units so that we zone cool more efficiently

            we installed reusable metal filter in big unit lowering waste and one time cost

            we installed programmable thermostat which is more accurate and efficient

 

Door closers

            we installed door closers to keep the ac in and the bugs out

            while we are conscientious folks we are at times in a hurry

           

Windows

            lots of natural light through windows cuts energy use

            fits our spiritual understanding of Light

new windows in the activity room

            the wooden jalousies were inefficient, broken, and opaque

            the new windows allow light into the room sufficient for some activities

            they close well and do not leak energy heated or cooled air

            they are a specific safety glass, not hurricane proof but more like a car window

 

Lighting

            florescent lightening replaces incandescent and now we are transitioning to LED.

            why LED.

Higher initial costs in some cases but longer life and usage.

Lower still energy use.

Lower heat output lowers energy for ac.

 

So LEDs in track lights in kitchen.

Huge LED in the west side parking area.

LEDs are being planned for the tubes in meeting room.

LEDs with solar panel for the MFM sign on Sunset.

 

Plants

            trees on the ground shade the building lowering energy

            plants create microclimates that are cooler

            plants invite other species to share our space

            we have a butterfly garden in front

            the pre-school has food garden

            we used native plants to define and shape the drive on the Bartram property

we have given attention to native plantings because they are less needy of attention and extra watering after they are established

 

Kitchen and hospitality

hot water heater is turned off when not in use

dish washer uses less water than hand washing

use of porcelain plates reduces landfill impact

cups with our names on them reduces waste

cloth napkins reduces paper waste

attention to buying

use of recycled paper products lowers impact on environment

organic products when we can

buying locally when possible

ex: fair trade organic coffee impacts environment and social justice

eco-friendly cleaning products are available

 

Education

we have used signs to make us and visitors aware of our consciousness to Earthcare

we have had presentations

this series of first First Days attention to Climate Change for example

First Day School has had numerous activities with Gwladys, and many others

the bench at the west entrance

the butterfly garden at the front entrance

there is a curriculum book from Quaker Earthcare Witness for anyone willing to do activities with the children. It’s called Earthcare for Children

we have QEW and access to their materials

 

Actions

we have a representative to QEW we support

we have been instrumental in establishing the Field Secretary for Earthcare position in SEYM

Friends from MFM have been involved from the beginning up to the selection of the person to fill the position

MFM as a group and individual have made significant donations to fund the position

MFM friends have participated in marches and demonstrations

have written letters

support FCNL in their efforts and are learning to lobby on climate change

success in one area opens the door to potential in others

we are voting on amendment 4

we continue to stay informed

we carry the message home

 

If we accept the premise that our relationship to the rest of Earth not us carries moral, ethical, spiritual components and obligations, then it is natural to make this focus and attention

to all Earth a mindful worship.

 

So what else do you see we do? What else do we need to do?