December 9, 2008

Stone Church of Willow Glen goes green

By Alison van Diggelen
Special to the Times

Last month Stone Church of Willow Glen opened its glistening green doors to two energetic and noisy guests during the morning service.

Elle shows off her flower power with a freshly planted seed. Photo courtesy Alison R.G. van Diggelen

Dubbed the Green Men (after The Blue Man percussion group), two emerald-faced men ran down the aisle wielding drums and tambourines during the children’s service, making a cacophony of noise. Through animated mime and percussion they showed the children and the congregation how to live more greenly:

—by recycling old cans rather than throwing them in the trash,

—by carrying a reusable water bottle rather than buying a water bottle

—by using cloth not plastic bags to shop

—and by switching regular light bulbs for Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs) and remembering to turn them off when leaving the room.

Each member of the congregation was asked to write down a green promise and keep it in their wallet.

This special visit by the Green Men coincided with Stone Church’s celebration of its Green Certification from Santa Clara County, a celebration that included green facing painting, planting seeds, green corsages for new members and, of course, mountains of green cake.

Pastor Ken Henry sported a stunning green chasuble for his sermon, “God is Green.”

The Green Men mysteriously disappeared after the service and were last seen heading for the city swamp....

For more information about the Stone Church of Willow Glen and its green Certification, see www.stone church.org.