Many people first enter the gates of a church at a large function, perhaps a funeral, wedding or church bazaar. Our Catering practices show a lot about our relationship with the Creator God, and our neighbours. After that event is the Church yard strewn with rubbish, some of which will be blown into the neighborhood? Do we buy cheap meat which is coming from harmful practices to animals? How much compassion do we put into our catering practices?
Here are some helpful guidelines prepared by the WCC
3.1 Buy ecological, fair, and regional
“We prefer buying from local producers and respect ecological and social criteria.”
Supporting local establishments promotes economic wellbeing and coherence in our regions as well as has a positive impact on the
environment. Introduce officially the ‘best offer’ instead of
‘cheapest offer’ principle.
For instance we prefer to offer in our cafeterias:
• fair-traded coffee, tea, juice, and chocolate and vegetarian food.
In our offices we choose to procure:
• products that adhere to social and ecological
standards; and long-lasting products.
3.2 Reduce waste
“We avoid disposable (single-use) articles and buy reusable products and recycled materials.”
The huge and still growing plastic island in the ocean is showing how we drown in our own rubbish. Plastic is even becoming a part of our food chain. There is no need for using beverages in plastic bottles or tin in daily life. Avoid every form of throwaway articles. Depositing waste for recycling is good. Reducing waste is better. Where using throwaway articles seems unavoidable, opt for compostable ones, if possible. Reducing paper consumption in the office can be another important
step.
3.3 Re-use and recycle
“We want to reuse instead of waste.” Give items the chance for a second life: in the hands of someone else or in new applications. Let’s be creative. Organised exchange circles bring people together and help to save money and protect the environment. Creative, secondary-use concepts can be of unexpected beauty. Nowadays one can find good quality recycled
paper. The positive effects of this choice on the environment are often underestimated. If you “love your neighbour as yourself”, you are interested in who is producing the goods that you need and how. Can you find the respect of life in the whole production process?
This material was produced by Norman Tendris who was tragically killed in the Ethiopian Airlines Crash.
https://www.oikoumene.org/en/resources/documents/wcc-programmes/diakonia/economy-of-life/roadmap-for-congregations-communities-and-churches-for-an-economy-of-life-and-ecological-justice