JANUARY 2026

St. B’s Fellowship Committee helpers are intentional about preparing for and cleaning up from our parish parties, like Epiphany. All the Martin’s BBQ catering tins were lovingly washed out to be recycled. Their sweat equity means very little goes to the landfill—which means God’s land and creatures don’t bear the cost for our celebrations!

Allison Walker and her dad Jim Pichert, members of Urban Green Lab’s (UGL) Sustainable Changemakers Collective, represented St. B’s at UGL’s recent Climate Week Cook-Off. Local chefs competed to prepare unique culinary creations highlighting food waste reduction and sustainable practices with zero waste and low carbon footprints. See below for more info on UGL.

St. B’s is hosting Diocesan Convention Fri Jan 23 - Sat Jan 24. The CC ministry will assist with bussing stations at the luncheons both days. This is one way we show others beyond our parish that we love and serve a God who is committed to redeeming everything that exists. Needs:

1 person for lunch, 11:30am - 1:15 pm on Fri

3 people for lunch, 12:15 am - 2:15 pm on Sat 

1 person for all day general assistance, 9 am - 4 pm Sat (or any amount of time you can offer)

Please sign up here or let Gretchen know (615-429-7234). 

Also, save the date! 2nd annual Weed Wrangle: March 7, 2026

CC admin and/or research tasks: Doable from home (computer/phone) on your flexible schedule, approx. 1-2 hours/week, or as you can. Contact Gretchen.

Waste management: 

• Diocesan convention Jan 23-24. Here is the sign-up sheet.
• Take hard-to-recycle materials to collection centers around town. Contact Gretchen.

Tend the Weed Wrangle plot: Contact Jim Pichert. 

Urban Green Lab (UGL) is a nonprofit founded in 2009 by Nashville residents who believe education and access to outstanding resources are key to achieving sustainability. UGL organizes teams and individuals, trains them on making sustainable choices, and connects people with services and peers. St. B’s will be engaging with UGL more throughout 2026.

St. B’s hosted Diocesan Convention in 2020 right before Covid. It was the first convention where sustainability practices were in place. We asked clergy and delegates to bring their own mug and water bottle; used our ceramic plates and reusable silverware; and composted the food waste. These efforts were well-received and got the attention of leaders and parishioners throughout the diocese. Some of these practices have become the expectation now at diocesan events! 

Epiphany is the season of light… as you’re changing batteries for various apparatuses that give you literal and metaphorical light, don’t throw the dead or corroded batteries in the garbage! Bring them to church. There’s a tub in the recycling closet in the gym. Volunteers take them to electronic waste recycling centers where we are assured they actually get recycled and stay out of the landfill.

“Sustainable in the City” is a podcast hosted by the Nashville Department of Waste Services and Urban Green Lab. It ran for 3 seasons as a webinar (watch here) before becoming a podcast (listen here or via any podcast service). It discusses topics like waste, river-friendly farm practices, environmental justice, creative reuse, etc., and features everyday Nashville residents talking about sustainable living.

SCRIPTURE

When God began to create the heavens and the earth, the earth was complete chaos, and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good, and God separated the light from the darkness.

– Genesis 1:1-4, NRSV

PRAYER

For the well-being of the earth; for its resources of water, air, light, and soil, that they may be tended for the good of all creatures, we pray: merciful God, keep your planet and people in peace.

– Standing Commission on Liturgy and Music

Contact the Creation Care Committee Chair Gretchen Abernathy (creationcare@stbs.net); and Fr. Ed Smith, Associate Rector (esmith@stbs.net).

ST. BARTHOLOMEW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH

4800 Belmont Park Terrace, Nashville TN 37215

stbs.net  •   615.377.4750