A New Kind of Coffe Hour
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Transcript of A New Kind of Coffe Hour
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The N.R.S.V. Coffee HourNourishing Renewable Sustainable Vermont
Living In to Our Baptismal Vows
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INTRODUCTION:
RETHINKING COFFEE HOUR
This short brochure is grounded in the Baptismal Covenant and
focuses on the practicalities of using our weekly coffee hour to teach
and model earth-friendly behaviors. Hopefully the suggestions in this
brochure will stir deeper thought and community discernment about
expanding the mission of the local congregations into the community.
Perhaps coffee hour will become an opportunity to invite the
wider community in for a meal, as a forum for discussions, or a way to
foster partnerships other community groups especially those that use
the building and grounds. But most of all the Earth Stewards hope and
pray for adoption of some of the green suggestions offered here.
Gods Creation is worth preserving; and what better place to model and
teach some practical applications for that kind of stewardship than at
church?
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Come to me all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Coffee hour is an opportunity to practice hospital-
ity to those who are in need, neighbors, people who
need a community, children and families to cre-ate a space for genuine connection. It does not
have to be lavish but it does have to be genuinely
Say grace before the refreshments are served or post a
prayer of thanksgiving on the table where the food is
served
Schedule a host/ess specifically for children as well as
adults
Try conversation cue cards to help lead conversations
beyond the typical small talk
Try thematic coffee hours periodically that will in-
spire conversations about things important in your con-
gregationmaybe even invite guest speakers
INTRODUCTION:
RETHINKING COFFEE HOUR
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INTRODUCTION:
RETHINKING COFFEE HOUR
Will you continue in the apostles teaching and
fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the
prayers?
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and when-
ever you fall into sin, repent and return to the
Lord?
Will you proclaim by word and example the
Good News of God in Christ?
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons
loving your neighbor as yourself?
Living in to our Baptismal Vows
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Will you persevere in resisting evil, and whenever
you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it
and keep it.
The earth has suffered too long from human abuse and neglect.
God created humans to care for the earth and all that is in it.Coffee hour is an opportunity to become more aware of how
daily life can abuse the earth. It is also an opportunity to demon-
strate commitment to care for creation
Use reduce.reuse, recycle practicesclearly mark your recepta-
cles.
Set a goal for your parish of zero waste coffee hours and take
steps to achieve that goal.
Consider using compostable materials when you choose to use
disposables. Here are some suggestions for purchasing composta-
ble goods (see addendum for sources):
Products made using plants like soy, corn and potatoes
and can be composted in private composts
Products made from CPLA (Crystalized Polylactic
Acid) that can be composted but best in municipal or
commercial composts
Products made from recycled wood or bamboo are or-
ganic and compost easily
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Will you proclaim by word and example the
Good News of
Matthew 15:33 - The disciples said to him, Where are we to get enough
bread in the desert to feedso great a crowd?
Christians are known by how they live and by the choices they
make in daily life. Communities of faith can support a local
economy, honor each other, the earth, and the economic well
being of all people in the choices of food served as coffee hour.
Feature local food providers each week; contact them about
posting coupons or promotional materials.
When fellowship hosts provide food that comes from localproducers or local shops, name those shops and begin to build
relationships with themthey may do future partnering with
your congregation!
Petition for donations for food an supplies; when you receive
any such gifts, remember to thank them publicly and privately.
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Will you strive for justice and peace among all
people and respect the dignity of every human be-
Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for the abundance of life
does not consist in the abundance of possessions.
Buying fair trade honors the dignity of people around the globe.
Yes, fair trade costs us a little more but it fair trade ensures that
more people will enjoy Gods abundance.
Learn more about fair trade at fairtradeusa.orgwhere you can finda list of fair trade companies and partners.
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INGREDIENTS for a new kind of coffee hour
A. Tableware and CUPS Declare your building STYROFOAM FREE
Practice REUSING by washing plates, utensils and cups; or
Practice RECYCLING;
use compostable or recyclable plates, utensils, and tableware.
Compost paper napkins,
Gather scraps of material to make cloth napkins and reuse
weekly
B. Fair Trade coffee, chocolate, bananas, etc. Buy Fair Trade coffee and tea. Visibly display the FairTrade
sign
Buy Fair Trade ingredients such as chocolate and bananas
Use fair trade ingredients in baked goods and appetizers
C. Local Foods Support local economy: buy local cheese, milk, breads, flour,
fruits, vegetables
Negotiate a CSA that contains items especially appropriate for
coffee hour
Use only local eggs!
D. Organic and Healthy Foods
Support healthy eating by buying either certified organic or farm-ers using organic techniques but not yet certified
Be intentional about promoting healthy eating with few
sweets and more healthy food.
Buy local honey or other natural sweeteners.
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INGREDIENTS for a new kind of coffee hour
E. 3 Rs for 3 Cs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for
Committed Creation Care) Compost soiled napkins, food scraps, tea bags, and coffee grounds
Buy sweeteners, creamer and sugar in bulk rather than individual
packages
If you use a Keurig machine buy the reusable filter or a biodegrad-able cup. (Do you know how much more expensive it is to serve
coffee this way? ) http://www.motherjones.com/blue-
marble/2014/03/coffee-k-cups-green-mountain-polystyrene-plastic
Make a pot of tea with a mesh ball or buy tea bags without strings
and staples
Use unbleached filters for coffee and compostable muffin paper
F. Hospitality Make coffee hour an opportunity to expand the circle of fellow-
ship. Invite:
neighbors,
people/groups who use the facilities,
other groups in the community with whom you would like to part-
ner.
Groups your would like to thank or recognize for good work
G. Serving Suggestions Offer gluten free snacks
Label foods with nuts
Groups like foods together so people who are avoiding sweets and
cluster around the cheese and crackers Cut everything in to small portions so people can sample without
wasting.
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CALL FOR RECIPES AND IDEAS!
We need your helpfor the next edition of this
publication, wed like to include recipe and
serving ideas that have worked for YOUR
N.R.S.V coffee hour.
We hope this will be a first edition of an ever-
expanding resource. Please let us know if weve
missed something, if you have any additions, or
suggestions.
Also, send along PHOTOS of your successful
N.R.S.V coffee hour
Send any ideas along to: