o   Mission Statement
    o   Subcommittees 
    o   MiIPL 
    o   Fair Trade Sales 
    o   Recycling 
    o   Energy Savings 
    o   Green Living 
    o   Politics   

• Our Mission Statement -  We are a ministry devoted to deepening the connection between ecology and faith, by promoting conservation, energy efficiency and renewable energy.
• Subcommittees - The Green Committee is divided into the following subcommittees:  Recycling, Member Information, Church Energy Savings, Politics, Events. Our meetings are very quick, energetic brainstorming sessions with a set time limit. Attendance is not required for general membership. If you would like to offer your time and talents in some way please contact Julie Bricker at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• MiIPL - St. John's is a member of MiIPL (Michigan Interfaith Power and Light). This means—among other things—that members of St. John's can get discounts on Energy Star appliances, compact fluorescent (CFL) light bulbs, and various other items. If interested, call or visit any ABC Warehouse and mention your congregation belongs to MiIPL. You can visit the ABC Warehouse website or the MiIPL website, where you can also shop online.
• Fair Trade Sales - The Green Committee is offering Equal Exchange Fair Trade coffee and chocolate for sale monthly. The term Fair Trade means that small farmers in developing countries are paid a fair wage no matter what the global coffee market rate is. For more information visit the Equal Exchange website, or the World Fair Trade Organization's (WFTO) website  (previously the International Federation for Alternative Trade, or IFAT).
• Recycling -  St. John's participates in a comprehensive recycling program through SOCCRA. Administration offices, the New to You Shop, Open Hand Food Pantry, the kitchen and the caterers work toward recycling all cardboard, paper, plastic, glass and metal. The program has been successful enough to reduce our trash output by about 75%. St John's does not accept cardboard or paper from parishioners anymore. Additional recycling outlets are listed here: 
  • Electronics - can be recycled at SOCCRA (phone 248-288-5150), which sends it Classic Computer Recovery, Inc.
  • Glass (brown and clear)- can be recycled at SOCCRA (phone 248-288-5150), which sends it to Greenstar.  -
  • Glass (green) - can be recycled at 8-Mile and Evergreen.
  • Hazardous Waste (solvents, paint, yard chemicals, etc.) - can be recycled at SOCCRA (phone 248-288-5153, please make appointment. 
  • Metal - can be recycled at SOCCRA (phone 248-288-5150), which then sends it to the Ferrouis Processing & Trading Co.
  • Paper, cardboard, news print, etc. - can be recycled at SOCCRA (phone 248-288-5150), which then sends it to Waste Management.
  • Plastic Containers - (all # types and sizes) can be recycled at SOCCRA (phone 248-288-5150), which then sends it to Plastipak.  
  • Plastic Grocery Bags - can be recycled at SOCCRA (phone 248-288-5150).  
  • Styrofoam - can be recycled at the corner of 8-Mile Road and Evergreen.  
  • Styrofoam Peanuts - can be recycled at PAK Mail (phone 248-543-3097).
  • Used Building Materials and Appliances - can be recycled at Restores of Habitat for Humanity ( 248-338-8392) or at Architectural Salvage Warehouse (313-515-0399).  
• Energy Savings -  Limiting our daily energy use can help us move toward a future where we are living within the means of our planet. Please refer to the following websites for energy savings ideas: Environmental Protection Agency; Energy Star; Warm Training Center (home energy efficiency); Urban Options (energy and environmental information).
• Green Living for Health and Spirituality  - Every day we make decisions that affect our environment and the lives of our worldwide neighbors. Opening our minds to these effects may help us to understand our place in God's world. The following websites are good sources of information:
  • Local Motion - Non-profit organization using reliable substantive, scientific fact for better living through fewer toxins.
  • Earth Charter Initiative - Global society on values and principles for a sustainable future.
  • Hunger Movement - Ending hunger and poverty information at Heifer International. 
  • Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance - Promote food systems that rely on organic methods of food production and that revitalize and sustain local communities.
  • Maple Creek Farm - Organic Community Supported Agriculture.
  • Michigan Interfaith Trust Fund - provides loans and technical assistance for affordable housing and economic development throughout Michigan.
  • Voices For Earth Justice - interfaith network of people commited to prayer, education and actin that deepen our sense of wonder, responsibility and gratitude for all creation.
  • Native Energy - global warming and climate change.
  • Abundant Forests Alliance - replanting our forests.
• Politics - Be proactive and informed. Contact your elected officials often. They need to hear from you. Use these web links to identify and contact your officials:
  • National - The US Government's Official Web Portal;
    • Senators;
    • House of Representatives.
  • State of Michigan - State House of Representatives & State Senators by zip code;
    • State Senators by zip code.
  • Local - Oakland County Districts, then Commissioner;
    • Detroit Mass Transit.