Nancy Sleeth
Consuming Less and Sharing More
Last week, my husband looked like an angel to me, up to his elbows in dishwater, scrubbing a seemingly endless stream of commercial-sized pots and pans. On Monday nights, we attend a worship service, take communion, and feed those in need. After the shared meal, we help distribute donated food. It’s become a regular highlight of our week. On this particular Monday, we had about twice as many people attending as usual. Extra tables were set up. Testimonies were shared. … Continue reading
First Tree Planting a Huge Success!
Thanks to the generosity of Blessed Earth friends and volunteers, the first day of the tree planting project was a resounding success. Church and community members gathered on a sunny autumn morning to help plant trees in an under-served neighborhood of Lexington, KY. A total of 33 trees are being planted, with requests already coming in to expand the project in other communities next spring. We still need your help! You can help us grow the project in four ways: … Continue reading
The Longest (and best!) Sabbath of the Year
Thanks to the end of daylight savings time, last week was the longest Sabbath of the year. Matthew had a strong desire to see water flowing downhill, so we packed a picnic and happened upon a local park along Elkhorn Creek. What a delightful discovery! Not only was it one of the prettiest spots we have seen in Kentucky, but the time resting in green pastures and walking the trail along gently flowing waters most definitely restored our souls. The … Continue reading
Q&A with Nancy
This Q&A with Nancy was originally posted September 14, 2011 on Jason Hess’s blog “Ecksermonator: Evolve Your Thinking.” It is reposted with permission. This month I was able to ask Nancy Sleeth, the co-founder of Blessed Earth, a few questions about the organization. With more and more people getting involved in the green movement, environmentalism and creation care efforts I just wanted to take a few moments to introduce you to a nonprofit that is worth your attention. Blessed Earth … Continue reading
Blessed Earth partners with the National Cathedral
…and five other major churches in the next five years Last spring Matthew was invited to speak from the pulpit of the National Cathedral, the “Nation’s Church,” in Washington, DC. His talk and forum were the centerpiece of their Earth Day celebration. As a school child, Matthew had taken yearly field trips to visit with stonemasons and watch the Cathedral being built, so this was an especially meaningful moment for him. The Cathedral, which seats 3,000, was packed. As Matthew … Continue reading
Irresistible “Healthy” Cinnamon Rolls
My friend, Bethany, makes Sunday cinnamon roll a special treat. She bakes and slices it the night before, then leaves it out for breakfast so she and her husband can stay in bed an extra hour on Sabbath morning while her three young children enjoy a special meal. I always make two loaves when we have guests—if there are any extras, they make a very welcome care package! 1 1/8 cup warm water 2 tsp vanilla 1 tsp salt 3 … Continue reading
A Place at the Table
Last month, we had John and Margo from the Wildlands Network over for dinner. John is doing an east coast trek to raise awareness about the need for wildlife corridors in North America. One of their staff members follows Blessed Earth on Twitter and Facebook, and she asked if John could stop by while he was passing through Kentucky. As you know, Blessed Earth is all about building bridges. We help people who love the Creator learn how to love … Continue reading
What Should Christians Eat?
One of my favorite Christian writers happens to live in Kentucky. We have a number of acquaintances in common, and I often have the privilege of breaking bread with him. He enjoys good food that is sustainably grown, locally raised, and healthful–an ideal guest, never picky or fussy. The bonus: he is an engaging storyteller with an infectious laugh, so the meals are never dull. That Christian writer, of course, is my husband Matthew. I recently re-read the “Food for Thought” chapter of his … Continue reading
Spring Clean, Green Clean
“I love a clean house. I just don’t like cleaning.” That’s a direct quote from our twenty-year-old daughter, Emma, who recently graduated from college and is now living in her first apartment. Emma is honest enough to express what most of us feel—we want our homes to be uncluttered, fresh, and inviting, but getting there can seem daunting. People of faith who care about God’s creation face another confounding factor: how we do we tend our homes without hurting the … Continue reading
The Earth is Yours
Photo by Jeff Rogers Thanks to letters from you, some days just start out right! This one from a pastor’s wife in California literally filled me with music. The tune is stuck in my head (a good thing), but I always have trouble understanding lyrics (I’m deaf in my left ear), so I’m glad Erin included the words! The metaphors match the scene outside my window—spring “rising from the ground” in this season of resurrection and hope. Dear Nancy, My … Continue reading
Easter, Naturally
My favorite worship time of the year is sunrise service on Easter morning. I love worshipping the Creator in his creation, even if it means getting up early and bundling up in very un-Easterly mittens and jackets. My least favorite part of Easter is the commercialism. At the risk of sounding like an Easter Grinch, I feel myself cringing at all the merchandising, advertising, and displays that start filling the stores after Valentine’s Day. Advertisers spend more money in the … Continue reading
The Triple Bottom Line
When Matthew left medicine nearly a decade ago, I returned to full-time teaching. By choice and necessity, we had significantly downscaled our lifestyle at home, and now I felt it was time to help lighten the footprint of my workplace. During my first contract meeting with my boss, I explained that taking care of the planet was my passion. He politely told me that it was not his. For those of you who may receive similar resistance at work, this … Continue reading
Delicious Challah on the Sabbath
One tradition that you may want to incorporate in your Sabbath is challah, a simple braided egg bread. If you have a bread machine, baking challah is incredibly simple. Add ingredients to the bread pan in the order given: 1 cup warm milk 3 T soft butter 1 t salt 2 large eggs, beaten 3 1/4 cups unbleached flour (preferably local or organic) 2 T sugar 2 t active dry yeast Set the bread maker for dough. (If you don’t … Continue reading
On Accidents, Weddings, and Zinnias
Last Saturday, we celebrated a milestone: the marriage of our son Clark and Valerie. The wedding was simple, joyous, and God-centered. Although they did not set out to make the wedding “green,” it was a beautiful and environmentally sustainable ceremony. Everyone contributed their skills and talents: Val’s mom made the wedding gown and bridesmaid dresses. She also sewed bow ties for Clark and the groomsmen, which allowed them to wear whatever dark suit they happened to own. At the bride’s … Continue reading
Resolution for 2010: Sabbath Quiet
When people ask me about the first thing they should do to care for the earth, I give an answer that they don’t expect: Start observing the Sabbath. The intent of the Sabbath laws is restraint. We are not supposed do it all, just because we can. Sabbath is about taking our hands off the controls one day a week and letting God be God. Go on walks. Take guiltless naps. Share meals with family and friends. Cultivate a 24/6 … Continue reading
Students provide hope for the Kingdom
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of speaking at Belmont University’s convocation, as well as with a freshman seminar class studying creation care. When I told the director of spiritual life that I would share my creation care journey and then ask students to work in small groups on a Good Steward Covenant—committing to specific actions they would take today, this week, this month, and this year—I could see he was a bit skeptical. No speaker had ever … Continue reading
Is Conservation Enough?
Conservation is the first answer, since it costs little or nothing and makes up the lion’s share of “low hanging fruit.” I don’t, however, believe it is the only answer. The example I give is the clothes line. It costs little or nothing to conserve energy by hanging them on the line. But once we get our electricity bill down to about $15, it’s pretty hard to go much lower without investing in technology. The easiest solution is if we … Continue reading
Shop, Share, and Save!
Over the last three decades, the Three R’s–Reduce, Reuse and Recycle–have become a regular part of our speech and practices. Now it’s time focus on the Three S’s—Swop, Share, and Save. John the Baptist tells us if we have two cloaks, to share one with our brother. Isn’t it time for us to take an inventory of all the extra cloaks, toys, furniture, and clothing we have in our homes, and give them to someone who needs them? Here are … Continue reading
Reducing Water Waste
Last summer, we visited a friend on his family land in eastern Tennessee. The stone cabin under construction at the top of the hill seemed like a metaphor for the young couple’s marriage—strong yet fledgling, promising yet new. The view from the hilltop must have been spectacular one hundred years ago; it was still quite pleasant. But now the skyline was obscured by a persistent haze. The nearby mountains, it was explained, act like a catcher’s mitt, keeping a close … Continue reading
Red, White and Blue Go Green
What could be more patriotic than caring for the planet this Independence Day? Whether you’re hosting a picnic at home for friends and family or simply marveling over your town’s fireworks display, here are some simple ways to add green to your red, white, and blue celebration. Food choices Throwing a picnic or having a BBQ on the Fourth? Choose locally grown, organic produce. Also, consider offering a vegetarian option, such as veggie burgers. Want to know how the foods … Continue reading
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