LAC Announces its Earth Care Congregation Recertification

Larchmont Avenue Church (LAC) is proud to announce its recertification as an Earth Care Congregation by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) The Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to recognize churches that commit to taking seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden of our planet.

This status speaks to the significant commitment that LAC has made to care for God’s Earth. To become an Earth Care Congregation, LAC affirmed an Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental practices and thinking into their worship, education, facilities, and outreach.

One of LAC’s most beloved traditions is connected to this long-standing commitment to ecological responsibility and sustainable practices. The LAC Rummage Sale, which celebrated its 35th anniversary this month, is environmental care at its best, encouraging the reuse, recycling, and repurposing of items that would otherwise be added to landfills. In addition, the church commits to donating 100% of the proceeds from the sale day to support the missions of LAC’s community partners. This year the sale took in 1,000’s of donations, had over 500 happy shoppers, and raised $14,000!

Earth Care work at LAC has also focused on community education events and green initiatives. On April 28, 2024, a dedicated Earth Care Sunday worship service was held at the church. Additional plans for 2024 and beyond include the installation of a Native Plant Garden on the church grounds and the adoption of additional sustainable business and facility practices. This August, LAC will also host its annual vacation camp, the theme of which will be compassion for God’s creatures and care for our Earth. The camp (open to all children 3-10 years of age) will feature hands-on learning, games, and arts and crafts, all of which will help children become the next generation of eco-sustainers.

In addition, LAC is proud to be a founding and active member of the Larchmont consortium HOW Green! (Houses of Worship Green), which includes three other community houses of worship (Larchmont Temple, St. Augustine Church (R.C.), and St John’s Church). In November of 2023, LAC was honored to host HOW Green’s special event “Rooting for Trees.” Attended by 100 members of the community, the gathering featured a presentation by Andrew Reinmann, Assistant Professor of CUNY Advanced Science Center, on the critical role that trees play in combatting climate change. Much of the discussion dealt with understanding the best native trees for local planting and encouraging our municipalities to protect and increase the tree canopy in our area.

“Larchmont Avenue Church is just one of the 331 churches in our denomination that chose to dedicate themselves to intentional care of God’s earth this year,” says Jessica Maudlin, Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). “This congregation’s activities and commitment bring hope to their community and indeed to the world. We believe that LAC will inspire others to respond intentionally to God’s call to care for the earth.”

Because LAC sees this ecological work as vital to its mission, the congregation has organized a group whose sole purpose is to help keep the eyes of the church focused on ecological awareness and the pursuit of best practices. “LAC’s Eco Task Force is committed to furthering our congregation’s journey toward sustainability,” says task force Chairperson Sasha Nahr. “We are always looking for ways to deepen our commitment to Earth care and promote environmentally responsible practices in our church and our community.”

Rev. Dr Peter Bynum, LAC’s Senior Pastor, affirms that this kind of ecological concern is an important part of the life of faith. “Scripture makes it clear that God’s good creation is something that has been entrusted to us,” he says. “We are all caretakers of the beauty, majesty, and delicate balance of Earth’s glorious garden, and this sacred work is very much a part of our calling as disciples.”