-from Kathie Brown
At my office, I encouraged them to do away with Styrofoam cups. For a short time, they went to some other type of disposable cup, but we have now done away with those completely and everyone was given a china cup with the company name. In my job, I coordinate meetings and incentive trips for companies. At least in domestic locations, we are encouraging our clients to have water stations (with pitchers or large dispensers and glasses) rather than bottled water. Two of my clients did this for meetings this winter.

The June edition of the St George’s newsletter is now available. Just click on 2008-06Newsletter.pdf for all the latest St George’s news!

The May edition of St George’s Newsletter has been mailed, and is available for viewing or download at 2008-05Newsletter.pdf. Keep up on all the parish doings with St George’s Online!

Continuing on the subject of “reducing,” here are a couple of suggestions of websites that can assist you in reducing your junk mail. Greendimes.com - it costs $20 to use this service, but they do a lot of the leg work for you. Reduce.org - this website is recommended by the group Congregations Caring for Creation and tells you how to go about reducing your junk mail.

The online edition of St George’s monthly newsletter is now available for April. What’s happening this month? What’s the latest Sunday School Scoop? Who’s serving at the altar next Sunday? Find out here: 2008-04Newsletter.pdf

If we are to concentrate on “reducing and reusing,” as discussed last month, we should reduce our use of disposable paper products. But when you do buy paper towels, paper napkins, facial tissues and toilet paper, please consider buying recycled paper products. Most are made from 100% recycled paper, but an even more important number is the percent that is post-consumer paper. The higher the post-consumer percent, the better. Post consumer is the paper that we recycle from our homes. Look for brands like Green Forest, Seventh Generation and Whole Foods 365 brand.

A copy of the February St George’s Newsletter is available for download. Just click 2008-02-Newsletter.pdf to read the newsletter. Keep up to date with parish news, events, and ministries at St George’s Online!

Environmentally responsible cleaning alternatives.

Soaps, dishwashing liquids and laundry detergents are available that are kinder to our environment. Several brand names are Arm and Hammer Essentials, Seventh Generation, Whole foods and Shaklee. In the local Whole Foods stores you can refill your natural cleaning bottles to reduce waste. Shaklee cleaners are concentrated so that you can add water, waste and save on shipping costs. You can also make your own homemade cleaner. Most are made with common ingredients like baking soda, borax, vinegar and olive oil.

Environmentally responsible cleaning alternatives.

Soaps, dishwashing liquids and laundry detergents are available that are kinder to our environment. Several brand names are Arm and Hammer Essentials, Seventh Generation, Whole foods and Shaklee. In the local Whole Foods stores you can refill your natural cleaning bottles to reduce waste. Shaklee cleaners are concentrated so that you can add water, waste and save on shipping costs. You can also make your own homemade cleaner. Most are made with common ingredients like baking soda, borax, vinegar and olive oil.

The St George’s Newsletter for January is now available for download. Just click 2008-01-Newsletter.pdf to read the newsletter. Keep up to date with parish news, events, and ministries at St George’s Online!

The St George’s Newsletter for January is now available for download. Just click 2008-01-Newsletter.pdf to read the newsletter. Keep up to date with parish news, events, and ministries at St George’s Online!

Are you aware that most curbside recycling programs collect the following:

• Boxes for food items that do not go in the refrigerator or freezer, e.g. Boxes from crackers, cake mix, pasta, gelatin & pudding, cereal
• Boxes from health and beauty aides, e.g. toothpaste, facial tissue, over-the-counter medications
• Boxes from products such as trash bags, zipper-type bags, printer cartridges
• Empty tubes from toilert paper and paper towels
• Gift and shoe boxes
• Shredded paper

Are you aware that most curbside recycling programs collect the following:

• Boxes for food items that do not go in the refrigerator or freezer, e.g. Boxes from crackers, cake mix, pasta, gelatin & pudding, cereal
• Boxes from health and beauty aides, e.g. toothpaste, facial tissue, over-the-counter medications
• Boxes from products such as trash bags, zipper-type bags, printer cartridges
• Empty tubes from toilert paper and paper towels
• Gift and shoe boxes
• Shredded paper

You can read the December edition of the parish newsletter here: 2007-12.Newsletter.pdf.

Keep up to date with parish events, news items, and Sunday service personnel with St George’s Online!

In December our Grown-Up Sunday School will feature three presentations:

December 2: Jackie Olafson of STEP will keep us up to date on St Louis Park Emergency ministries.

December 9: The Rev. Theo Park of the Church of St James on the Parkway will speak about liturgy and the arts.

December 16: Lou and Rosie Michelich of St George’s will share experiences from their dental mission trips to Honduras.

On December 23 GUSS will take a break from its usual schedule to enjoy the children’s Christmas Pageant. GUSS sessions will begin again in January.