Recently Scott and I were having lunch in a very eco-conscious restaurant, and reminded each other about that time that I went to war with the Knights of Columbus.
That year the theme for all our teaching had been Catholic Social Teaching, and when we got to Care for God’s Creation, we made a decision as a staff to stop using Styrofoam cups in our church- across the board- that meant for all the groups using our kitchen, as well as for parish events. But to soften the impact on these groups, the parish team decided that we would supply the cups, plates and everything else a group could need,sourced from ethical/eco-friendly suppliers. That year we also switched to free-trade coffee only, and supplied that too.
This move was a no-brainer. To try to teach our people about care for God’s creation over Styrofoam cups of victimizing coffee would be ludicrous. It was also a win-win, because each group that used our kitchen wouldn’t have to schlep to party city or whatever, every time they held a pancake breakfast; less work, and no cost. We cleaned out the kitchen, got rid of all the leftover styro-supplies, and stocked it. We let every group know the plan.
The hardest part for most of the groups was kind of a dumb-founded-ness. What do you mean we don’t have to supply our own stuff… it’s free? What?
But the Knights of Columbus were a different story. They were Not On Board.
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