Caring for God’s Creation
“The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.” – Psalm 24:1
At State College Presbyterian Church, caring for creation is part of our calling.
Together, we strive to live faithfully as stewards of God’s world — conserving, protecting, and celebrating the earth.
Our Commitment To
Creation Care
State College Presbyterian Church is proud to be an Earth Care Congregation within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), first certified in 2015. Our mission is to nurture ecological awareness both within our congregation and throughout the wider community.
We partner with organizations that share our vision:
Centre County Green Business Partners – promoting sustainable practices locally
Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority – supporting responsible recycling and waste reduction
Our Sustainability Circle (Green Team) leads initiatives that help us be an earth-loving congregation, from reducing energy use to teaching environmental stewardship.
“What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God?” – Micah 6:8
The Sustainability Circle
Our Sustainability Circle, or “Green Team,” leads the church’s environmental efforts.
We work together to:
Encourage sustainable practices in daily church life and events
Coordinate the annual “Celebrating God’s Creation” worship service near Earth Day
Partner with community groups and faith organizations on local eco-initiatives
Maintain our Earth Care Congregation certification each year
The team also provides educational opportunities — from Adult Ed sessions to service projects — helping us live out God’s call to be faithful stewards of the earth.
Interested in joining the team or attending a meeting?
Composting & Recycling at SCPC
Since 2014, we’ve partnered with the State College Borough’s Commercial Composting Program to reduce waste and care for creation more fully.
At SCPC, we compost:
Food waste
Paper towels and napkins (uncoated/non-shiny)
Other biodegradable materials
You’ll also find clearly marked recycling bins throughout the building for:
Paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, and aluminum
Office and kitchen recyclables
Cardboard collection, thanks to the FISH Youth Group
By putting all food and paper waste into a sustainable stream, we act as caretakers of God’s world.
Weatherization First
Through our partnership with PA Interfaith Power & Light, SCPC supports the Weatherization First initiative. This outreach program helps low-income Centre County residents make their homes more energy efficient.
Our volunteer teams assist with simple but meaningful projects like:
- Adding insulation and weather stripping
- Caulking and sealing drafts
- Building wood-framed storm window inserts
These acts of service conserve energy and embody love for our neighbors and creation alike.
Simple Ways to Care for Creation at Home
Caring for creation begins with daily choices.
Here are ways you can make a difference:
- Know your footprint: Calculate your Ecological Footprint to see how your lifestyle impacts the planet.
- Recycle smarter: Visit the Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority to learn what to recycle and how to do it properly.
- Reduce first: Before recycling, look for ways to minimize waste.
- Plant with purpose: Choose trees, shrubs, and flowers that support pollinators and wildlife — like Juneberry, Nanking Cherry, or Strawberries as ground cover.
- Consider clean energy: Learn about wind and solar options at Clean Energy Option.
“If I spend enough time with the tiniest creature, even a caterpillar, I would never have to prepare a sermon. So full of God is every creature.”
Faith in Action
From compost bins to worship liturgies, every small step at SCPC reflects a larger truth — that caring for creation is an act of faith.
We continue to explore how our building, ministries, and personal habits can better honor the beauty and balance of God’s world.
“God created the world... and filled it with all manner of creatures... so that humankind could live and thrive with it.”
Join Us in Caring for God’s Creation
Whether you recycle, plant a garden, or join our Green Team, you are part of this sacred work. Together, we can renew the earth and live more faithfully in harmony with all of God’s creation.