GLC GREEN TEAM PROUDLY PRESENTS NEW RECYCLING OPTIONS FOR GETHSEMANE

A recycle symbol made of recycled materials

You may have noticed our new recycling stations in the Community Hall and narthex where we recycle paper and cardboard, bottles and cans, and glass. To date, our BottleDrop blue bag account has collected $185.37! Thanks to all who have taken blue bags and turned in bottles from Gethsemane or at your homes!

But wait, there’s more! Several Gethsemane members have Ridwell accounts for expanded recycling, and we want to offer more options to you by asking you to save items at home and bring them in each month. Through Ridwell, we can regularly recycle all kinds of things that our municipal recyclers will not accept, like plastic bottle caps and flat lids, pill bottles, corks, clear plastic clam shells, clean multi-layer plastic food bags, Styrofoam, cords/chargers/remotes, old phones. In September, bring in your corks and plastic bread tags (not metal twisties). In October, we’ll collect pill bottles (please remove any labels with personal information) and plastic flat lids.

A recycle symbol made of recycled materials

GLC COATS FOR KIDS SPECIAL OFFERING IN SEPTEMBER

Coats for Kids with Paint Background

On Sunday, September 13th and Sunday, September 20th, we will be collecting a special/second offering. Look for the BASKETS rather than the plates, OR the special offering envelopes that will be stamped and labeled for the Coats For Kids Coat Drive. If you would like to make a gift but are not physically present, you can send a check to church with “special offering” or “COATS” in the memo line.

This special/second offering does not cancel out the Change for Good/Open Hands jar. It’s meant to be a way for us to clearly name the outreach work that our dollars go to and place it seasonally at a time where it can do the most good! If this special offering goes well, the council is hoping to name/notice quarterly opportunities for special offerings like this. When we collect our dollars together, we can all do more good in the world!

Reconciling in Christ (RIC) Discernment

Teenagers talking in a park

With the support of Council, a core group of members has been called to help Gethsemane discern and consider becoming a “Reconciling in Christ” (RIC) congregation. Over the next few months, the core team will provide opportunities to share, talk, and learn through forums, panels, listening sessions, and one-to-ones. Resources will be provided through the Olive Press and Sunday worship announcements, bulletins, and eblasts. We want to move from welcoming to belonging. We want to embrace diversity. We love out LGBTQIA+ family and friends. As part of our work, our church will craft a new welcoming statement. Love wins.

Please join us for special forums after worship on September 20 and October 4, when we will share basic information from Reconciling Works, and a next session on October 18 when we will feature a panel to include leaders of congregations who have become Reconciling in Christ.

Teenagers talking in a park