...when you use eco-palms for Palm Sunday!
Because the actual palms that church members wave in their churches on Palm Sunday are not the real meaning of this day, most people don't think about where the palms we use come from and how we might be neglecting the call to love our neighbor and care for creation by using particular types of palms. At Second this morning, we used eco-palms. Here's what the bulletin insert explaining this project had to say.
COMMUNITIES AT RISK
More than 300 million palm fronds are harvested each year for US consumption alone--most of them for Palm Sunday. Yet for the communities who harvest these plants year after year, palm fronds rarely represent jubilation. Although US palm purchases may reach as high as $4.5 million each year, the palm harvesters themselves earn very little. Indigenous families and communities, who rely heavily on palm harvesting for income, represent the poorer segments of the rural populations in the palm-producing areas of Mexico and Guatemala.
ENVIRONMENT AT RISK
GOOD NEWS: A HEALTHIER HARVEST
The PC(USA) has partnered with Lutheran World Relief, Catholic Relief Services and the University of Minnesota to help build support in the US for eco-palms by introducing congregations to this social and environmental justice project.
Eco-palms are harvested in a more sustainable way--harvesters are paid on the quality of their palms rather than the quantity. These communities are also committed to using harvesting practices that minimize the impact on the natural forest.
Eco-palm harvesters and community members sort and package the palms themselves and sell their palms directly rather than relying on middlemen. In this way, eco-palms improve local communities' standard of living and ensure that the money paid for the palms benefit those who labor.
Because the actual palms that church members wave in their churches on Palm Sunday are not the real meaning of this day, most people don't think about where the palms we use come from and how we might be neglecting the call to love our neighbor and care for creation by using particular types of palms. At Second this morning, we used eco-palms. Here's what the bulletin insert explaining this project had to say.eco-palms: a healthier harvest
Today, in celebration of Palm Sunday, our congregation has partnered with Enough for Everyone of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to use eco-palms--a branch truly worthy of celebration.
COMMUNITIES AT RISKMore than 300 million palm fronds are harvested each year for US consumption alone--most of them for Palm Sunday. Yet for the communities who harvest these plants year after year, palm fronds rarely represent jubilation. Although US palm purchases may reach as high as $4.5 million each year, the palm harvesters themselves earn very little. Indigenous families and communities, who rely heavily on palm harvesting for income, represent the poorer segments of the rural populations in the palm-producing areas of Mexico and Guatemala.
ENVIRONMENT AT RISK
Typically, palm harvesting is done by community members hired by local contractors, who then sell palms to large floral export firms. Payment is based on volume, so harvesters are motivated to gather a larg
e quantity of palms without regard for quality. As a result, up to half the palms harvested are usually discarded due to poor quality. Many palm producing areas are important biosphere reserves, and the harsh harvesting techniques rapidly deplete the forest's rich biodiversity.
e quantity of palms without regard for quality. As a result, up to half the palms harvested are usually discarded due to poor quality. Many palm producing areas are important biosphere reserves, and the harsh harvesting techniques rapidly deplete the forest's rich biodiversity.GOOD NEWS: A HEALTHIER HARVEST
The PC(USA) has partnered with Lutheran World Relief, Catholic Relief Services and the University of Minnesota to help build support in the US for eco-palms by introducing congregations to this social and environmental justice project.
Eco-palms are harvested in a more sustainable way--harvesters are paid on the quality of their palms rather than the quantity. These communities are also committed to using harvesting practices that minimize the impact on the natural forest.
Eco-palm harvesters and community members sort and package the palms themselves and sell their palms directly rather than relying on middlemen. In this way, eco-palms improve local communities' standard of living and ensure that the money paid for the palms benefit those who labor.
As we raise our branches in celebration today, we play an important role in protecting forests, local jobs, and sustainable livelihoods in harvesting communities.
part of Enough for Everyone
a campaign of the PCUSA that encourages creative ways of to practice responsible discipleship in the global community, including the Presbyterian Coffee Project, Electric Stewardship, Sweat-Free T's, Oikocredit, the Eco-Palm Project, and the Global Marketplace.
2 comments:
Central also used eco-palms!
Since the USA is the center of the "me first" movement, it is always good to hear of groups who are changing that mindset. I loved the pictures!
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