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Environmental Week, 2014
The 31st joint Environmental Week worship was held on May 21, at Seoul Cathedral of the Korea Anglican Church. The joint service was sponsored by the NCCK Life and Ethics Committee. The service took place without the use of electricity for lighting, with only candles being used. Fr. Lee Kyong Ho, vice Moderator of the Life and Ethics Committee, was worship leader, and Rev. Lee Sang Jin preached.
In the sermon, Rev. Lee said the issues of climate change are global issues, and to solve them we must use the 'Green Blessings' given by God, like using energy provided by solar, hydro and wind energy. In addition we must moderate our life styles and abandon the greed which drives us to accumulate more and more comforts and conveniences. In these ways the crisis facing the world can be overcome by faithful and loving people.
This was the 7th time Green Church Awards were given. Up to this time, 40 churches have been recognized for trying to protect God's creation in the midst of this crisis, and see that their mission from God is to faithfully live in creation and maintain life. Every year the NGO Christian Environmental Solidarity receives applications from the churches in the spring, and in May select recipients of the awards
This year’s first award went to KalSan Methodist Church. This church regularly takes its people out to experience nature, and as well the meals on Sundays are always prepared from local organic food. Some of the activities that have taken part in: from 2002, each year they go out to experience the life of Korea's tidal mudflats; in 2007 and 8 the congregation participated in the cleaning of the oil spill on Tehan Beach; in 2004 they spend a summer monitoring trash at Anmundo's beaches; and in 2012 they organized solidarity meetings against the construction of the Tarolim Bay Dam.
The second award went to GurumSan PROK Church. This church broke down the wall surrounding their entrance and built a flower garden there. They have sponsored flower festivals each year. Each year they invite the people who live nearby to attend a picnic, and they have run a flea market to encourage the recycling of goods.
The others that won 2014 awards were Sarangbang PCK Church, Wonju Anglican Church and Purun Village PCK Church.
Congratulations to these Christian Communities who strive to live with integrity in Creation.
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