MPC C.A.R.E.
The C.A.R.E. Team is a group of Morningside members that seeks to love and protect God’s creation. Our goal is to increase our congregational awareness on issues of environmental sustainability, stewardship, education, and advocacy. Re-started in 2020, C.A.R.E. has been active in offering opportunities for campus conservation (we are newly certified as a wildlife sanctuary by Birds Georgia, formerly Georgia Audubon) and are seeking certification as a PC USA Earth Care Congregation. We regularly sponsor field trips, hikes, educational programs and promote environmental advocacy for all members and friends. We have established relationships with such organizations as GIPL (Georgia Interfaith Power and Light), South Fork Conservancy, and Trees Atlanta. We meet monthly, either virtually or in person, to provide updates on events, discuss possible new initiatives, and schedule upcoming events.
To learn more about C.A.R.E. Team activities or to join in some of our programs, hikes, and field trips, view the ENews@Morningside; Month at a Glance newsletter, the weekly bulletin posted on our homepage, or email the church office.
Conservation
CARE is committed to conserve the five acre campus of Morningside as an outdoor “sanctuary,” as a place that honors biodiversity, native species of plants and trees, that provides a habitat for native wildlife, most especially birds, and as an outdoor environment that honors and celebrates God’s creation. Recent initiatives include:
Membership in Birds Georgia (formerly the Georgia Audubon Society)
Certification by Birds Georgia as a wildlife sanctuary
Coordination and support by Trees Atlanta in the planting of native trees on campus
Pursuit of certification as a PCUSA Earth Care Congregation
Energy audit by Georgia Interfaith Power and Light
Outings
MPC Care sponsors field trips, hikes, and outings to both enjoy creation and to educate ourselves about conservation efforts. Recent outings have included:
Wildflower hikes in Georgia’s Chattahoochee National Forest
Intergenerational hikes to Len Foote Hike Inn
Field trips to CHaRM, Atlanta’s premier recycling facility
Field trip to Kendeda Building for Innovative, Sustainable Design on Georgia Tech campus
Field trip to Atlanta Waste Management facility
Education and Advocacy
CARE has been active in efforts to keep the congregation informed of its activities and opportunities to become engaged in efforts to participate in and advocate for conservation and sustainability initiatives. Among our efforts are:
Periodic reports to Morningside affinity groups of CARE initiatives
Publication of CARE initiatives through church publications
Advocacy on behalf of the protection of the Okefenokee Swamp; forthcoming offer of a field trip to the Okefenokee
Awareness of Public Service Commission vote and issues of concern
Faith development class speakers on issues related to the environment and creation stewardship
Ecological and environmental “Minute Messages” during worship