A Commitment to Earth Care
Larchmont Avenue Church is Certified as a PC (USA) Earth Care Congregation
Larchmont Avenue Church has twice annually (2023/2024) been certified as an Earth Care Congregation by Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s Presbyterian Hunger Program. This distinction speaks to the great commitment that Larchmont Avenue Church has made to care for God’s earth.
To become an Earth Care Congregation, this congregation affirmed an Earth Care Pledge to integrate environmental practices and thinking into their worship, education, facilities, and outreach.
The Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to recognize churches that make the commitment to take seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden.
Started in 2010 by the PC(USA), the goal of this program is to inspire churches to care for God’s earth in a holistic way, through integrating earth care into all aspects of their church life. The Earth Care Congregation certification honors churches that make that commitment and encourages others to follow their example.
“Larchmont Avenue Church is just one of the 292 churches in our denomination that chose to dedicate themselves to intentional care of God’s earth this year. This congregation’s activities and commitment even in the midst of navigating limitations brought about by COVID-19 brings hope to their community and indeed to the world. We believe that Larchmont Avenue Church will inspire others to respond intentionally to God’s call to care for the earth,” says Jessica Maudlin, Associate for Sustainable Living and Earth Care Concerns for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Ongoing and Additive Sustainable Action
Year after year, additive action ensures that Larchmont Avenue Church maintains its Earth Care Congregation certification, but more importantly, makes a positive environmental impact in the surrounding community. As an Earth Care Congregation, the Church has undertaken a substantial and coordinated recycling effort to include composting and Zero Waste policies and events, as well as, congregation and community wide sustainability education (Earth Care Sunday), facilities energy usage and paper reduction policy recommendations.
If you are interested in getting involved with LAC’s sustainable action and Eco Task Force contact our office at 914.834.1800 or lacoffice@lacny.org.
Native Planting & Pollinator Garden
LAC’s Native Plant and Pollinator Garden will be installed in two phases. The first phase took place in the Fall of 2024 and included the layout of the Garden’s footprint along with the installation of the larger trees and shrubs. The second phase, to take place in the Spring of
Kristen Carpenter, LAC’s Eco Task Force Chair notes, “We are proud to be in our third year as a certified Presbyterian Church (USA) Earth Care Congregation, a distinction awarded annually for environmental stewardship achievements in worship, education, facilities, and outreach. The Native Plant and Pollinator Garden was the highlight of our recertification application in 2025.”
“Across the country local environmental groups are educating people about the importance of native plants and pollinators. Native plants are plants that have adapted over centuries to the local weather and soil. They provide food for native species of insects, birds and wildlife. Equally important to a thriving ecosystem are pollinators such as bees and butterflies, who facilitate the growth of fruit and seeds and enable plant propagation. Unfortunately, pollinator numbers are declining rapidly due to loss of habitat and the widespread use of pesticides. Communities can help recreate natural habitat on residential properties and in public spaces, by planting pollinator-friendly native plants and trees, and avoiding pesticide use,” explains Elizabeth Poyet, LAC Eco Task Force member and founder of the Larchmont-Mamaroneck Pollinator Pathway.
Rev. Dr. Peter Bynum, LAC’s Head Pastor, remarks, ”The new garden is the latest step in our congregation’s longstanding commitment to ecological responsibility and sustainable practices. We celebrate our Village’s decision to commit to the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, and we are thrilled to be part of the effort to support native plant and pollinator habitats in our community.”
HOW Green Westchester
Among the Earth Care actions undertaken by Larchmont Avenue Church is a commitment to community and interfaith coordinated efforts through Houses of Worship (HOW) Green Larchmont. This multifaith organization also complements and furthers the Town of Mamaroneck and Village of Larchmont’s commitments to sustainability and positive climate action. In 2023, Larchmont Avenue Church hosted “Rooting for Trees” and we look forward to bringing education to the community about going beyond plastics in the Fall of 2025.