This week’s tip is to eat in-season foods this fall, and our quote is from St. Francis of Assisi.
Think having a green corner in your parish newsletter or bulletin is a great idea, but don’t have time to research or write one? Episcopal Climate News is here to help! Every Monday, to help Christians live out our faith in daily life, Episcopal Climate News offers a free green-living tip and a theological quote that your parish can use in its weekly newsletter or bulletin. Just copy/paste the text below, and feel free to edit/shorten as your space requires. Share this week’s column on Facebook.
Living on God’s Earth
By Episcopal Climate News, facebook.com/EpiscopalClimateNews
This week’s earth-friendly living tip: Eat seasonally this fall
Fall is here, and that means it’s getting a little chillier. When the weather changes, it’s time for our diets to change, too. Eating seasonal and local food is a great way to reduce our carbon footprints. When we eat strawberries or watermelon in the fall or winter, chances are we’re eating something that’s been shipped from far away – which means a lot of transportation and a lot of fossil fuels. (Eating seasonally and locally also means the foods will be fresher, and hopefully tastier!)
What’s in-season will vary depending on where you live, but some common fall foods include apples, beets, broccoli, carrots, garlic, grapes, kale, leeks, mushrooms, potatoes, swiss chard, and squash. Learn more at https://www.saveur.com/content/fall-produce-guide or https://www.eatthis.com/fruits-veggies-in-season-in-fall/
Episcopal Climate News quote of the week: Saint Francis of Assisi
October 4 is the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment. In his honor, many parishes around the country are observing a Blessing of the Pets this week. One little-known fact about St. Francis is that he was a war veteran who suffered from PTSD. Perhaps his need for healing is what led him to reconnect with nature and identify with other outcasts. Here is an excerpt from his hymn, “Canticle of the Sun”:
Be praised, my Lord, through all Your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun,
who brings the day; and You give light through him….
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Moon and the stars;
in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and beautiful.
Be praised, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air,
and clouds and storms, and all the weather, through which You give Your creatures sustenance.
Be praised, my Lord, through Sister Water;
she is very useful, and humble, and precious, and pure…
Be praised, my Lord, through our sister Mother Earth,
who feeds us and rules us, and produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs.
Read the full canticle here: http://ismreview.yale.edu/article/canticle-of-the-sun-ii/
Episcopal Climate News 
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