Graphic from Alternatives' collection Worship Alternatives: Art
More ART

Read and use this Advent--The Liberating Birth of Jesus: A Birth Story Able to Reverse Our Planet's Perils by Lee Van Ham. Read more here. // SLW! Podcast #1120: Lee's new book: The Liberating Birth of Jesus

11/12-View, share and discuss Alternatives' classic video The Celebration Revolution of Alexander Scrooge: A Modern 'Christmas Carol'. // Discussion Guide

Relish CELEBRATING ART

11/13- "We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish... all ate and were filled." -from Matthew 14:13-21. Do I miss the chance to do what I can because I can't do it all? (from Trek)

11/14-For your church or group consider using one of the following. Focus on an appropriate or interesting theme. (Dates are given only for reference.)

11/15-ChurchWorldService.org distributes the exceptionally attractive Global Calendar and greeting cards of color pictures of people from around the Earth.

See it now at https://youtu.be/TDOQmrBClog

11/16-Start saving Sunday comics to use for wrapping paper for gifts. Recycle Christmas cards by cutting at the fold. Write a personal message on the back and use as a post card. Save envelopes.

For more information

Unplug the Christmas Machine

11/17- The Christmas Pledge

Believing in the true spirit of Christmas, I commit myself to:
Remember those people who truly need my gifts
Express my love in more direct ways than gifts
Examine my holiday activities in the light of my deepest values
Be a peacemaker within my circle of family and friends
Rededicate myself to my spiritual growth

Nudge/Blog/eNews

11/18-Make a Plan. Set small and specific goals. Want to minimize Christmas preparations? To feel more relaxed this holiday season? To spend more relaxed time with the children this Christmas? Want to give less commercial gifts? (Continued)

The Hidden History of Guns and the Second Amendment

11/19-Look at your goals and think of one, two or three activities that will help you accomplish them. Unless you are assured of other people's cooperation, it's best to focus on activities that you can do by yourself. (Continued)

The Hidden History of the Supreme Court and the Betrayal of America

11/20-Next describe these activities in simple written sentences - what you are going to do and when it should be done, for example: Goal: I want to simplify my gift giving. Activity 1: I will write letters to Aunt Carol and Aunt Rebecca suggesting that we give gifts only to the children and mail those letters by October 1. (Continued)

11/21-Share your plan with your family. Choose your time carefully. Wait until they are in a relaxed and accepting frame of mind. Be nonthreatening. Unless the other family members have done a lot of thinking about Christmas, introduce the topic gently. Take the time to explain your reasons for wanting to make changes. Once they know your sincere motives, they are likely to be more supportive. Finally, talk to others as soon as possible. Many like to plan for Christmas early.

11/22-Brainstorming is fun! It requires withholding judgment on any idea, letting ideas come out from other ideas. Linear thinkers may be more goal oriented and circular thinkers may be more creative. Both are necessary. A balance of both is optimal.

11/23-Simplicity is the greatest peace making tool we have in the war between the have's and the have-not's.

11/24-A Birthday Gift for Jesus - When we celebrate a birthday, we are careful to give what the person really wants or needs. Is there any doubt what Jesus wants from us? He insists that in order to give to him, we must find him in the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the naked, the sick and the imprisoned. By helping to provide a goat for a farmer in Honduras, a decent home for a family in rural Mississippi, or food for those who are victims of war, we can give Jesus a birthday gift he really wants.

Contact organizations listed in Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway? for more information on how to give money, time and skills to those in need.

November holidays include: Fourth Thursday-Thanksgiving Day

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART

Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?

11/25-Use Alternative's Christmas Budget Worksheet (Cost Analysis Form), to estimate how much you spent on each item last Christmas. Then total it. This is private. Don't feel guilty about how much you spent or proud about how little. Decide what percentage of that amount your family is willing to give to truly needy people this year. We recommend 25%. You may decide on 10% or 50%. (Continued)

11/26-Now we may feel we have just as many things to buy and people to buy for, but with less money. We have several options. We can drop some folks or activities from the list. We can buy less expensive items. We can draw names instead of everyone giving something to everyone else. Or we can practice Alternative Giving. That's done in various ways. The first is deciding how much of last year's budget to give away and to whom.

Prepare for Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Friday after Thanksgiving-Buy Nothing Day ('Black Friday.')

11/27-Say to yourself, out loud while looking in a mirror. "I'm OK. I'm enough. I don't have to prove how good or strong I am by using my purchase power. I don't need to own or show-off my stuff to be accepted or loved. I'm forgiven for my past waste and extravagance."

11/28-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Thanksgiving

The Thom Hartmann Hidden History Series

The Hidden History of the War on Voting: Who Stole Your Vote and How to Get It Back

The Thom Hartmann Hidden History Series

The Hidden History of Monopolies: How Big Business Destroyed the American Dream

November holidays include: Fourth Thursday-Thanksgiving Day

11/29-Surprise is a key element of gift giving. To avoid bad surprises, do not rely on mind reading. Instead, help your family members and friends select appropriate gifts - and also reveal some fascinating personal preferences. Ask each person in your gift exchange circle to fill out the questionnaire. (Continued)

11/30-Voluntary simplicity is not Scroogism. Gift giving IS appropriate, especially if it is not just habitual, not based on catalogue shopping and mall hopping. Add meaning to your giving by giving appropriate gifts... gifts based on information about the recipient, not what interests the giver or what the giver would like to receive.

Relish CELEBRATING QUOTES.

For more information

Return to Table of Contents

Month 10*

Month 10*

Sustenance

10/1-Reflect on Luke 12:22-32 or Matthew 6:25-33. Don't worry about what you'll eat or what you'll wear. That sounds like encouragement to live more simply.

10/2-Learn about the power of "cheap food." Resist using foods that deprive other countries of food and have little or no nutritional value, such as coffee. Caffeine is an addictive drug. Other beverages, like fruit juice, can be just as socially inviting.

Start SLW! Non-Consumer Christmas Campaign early this year. SLW! Legacy Podcast 'WHOSE Birthday?' mini-series #5, Episodes #104-107

10/3-Reduce your consumption of red meat by 10%. It takes many gallons of water and many pounds of grain to make one pound of beef for our table.

10/4-Vertical integration of food is the process in which the most powerful resource becomes monopolized. The people who sell the food also control distribution, processing plants and production. We can vote against it with our dollars by shopping at Farmers Markets, by supporting community-based agriculture, by refusing to buy out-of-season fruits and vegetables.

Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment

10/5-Consider fasting one regular meal time or one day per week. Use the discomfort to deepen awareness of poverty. Offer the savings to the poor.

10/6-Help supply soup kitchens by gleaning unsold produce from grocery stores. Find out if you have a local Food Bank. Visit SecondHarvest.org: The Nation's Food Bank Network. Who do they help? Can you help too?

Guest Blog: Toward an Ecological Civilization

10/7-What "bottom line" do I use to decide what something is worth? Do I eat my food slowly and reflectively, or do I most often eat on the run? How could I buy more of my food from farmers in my area? (from Trek)

10/8-Food Co-ops like Blooming Prairie provide nutritious food. If you don't have a retail store in your area, you may have a buying co-op which takes orders once a month and delivers the following week. Be cautious of some "health food stores."

Return to Table of Contents

10/9-Cook with the World Community. Investigate recipes from other countries, especially developing countries. Obtain at least one alternative cookbook, such as the Mennonite's World Community Cookbook series: More-with-Less Cookbook; Extending the Table; the more recent ones Simply in Season and Simply in Season for Children. Hear an interview with the series editor on SLW! Podcast.

10/10-Vegetarians come in several flavors: those who eat no red meat; those who eat no meat; and Vegans, who eat no animal products (no milk, no eggs). Contact The Vegetarian Resource Group: Vegetarian Journal at vrg.org, or EarthSave.org: Personal Food Choices: Global Results.).

10/11-Reduce processed food by at least 10% at each meal. Cooking "from scratch" takes more planning and time but is more nutritious and fun when done together. Make menu planning and shopping a social event, instead of a chore.

10/12-Serve and take only what you and your household can eat. Go back for seconds if you're still hungry. Focus on flavor, not quantity. Try to throw nothing away. Develop clever ways of using left overs. Proudly eat chicken backs!

10/13-Research indicates that a typical in-home American father has only three minutes a day of direct conversation with his child. Also, an American couple that are still married only have five minutes a day of meaningful verbal exchange.

10/14-We can learn more about community by doing meal preparation and clean-up together. Vow to eat at least one meal a day together. Often we allow the school, the community, the TV, even the church to take away our common meal.

10/15-We Americans now eat a great deal of expensive convenience food - at home or in restaurants. Many of its nutrients are processed out. We work more hours so we can afford more expensive food that's fast so that we can work more to buy more expensive, hollow, highly processed food. Can we find ways to stop the cycle?

10/16-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: World Food Day (Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 188-191; To Celebrate, p. 146). Contact U.S. National Committee for World Food Day at WorldFoodDayUSA.org.

For more information, read Food and Celebrations, Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 57-69; To Celebrate, Chapter 4, pp. 71-86; Living More with Less, pp. 245-268 (Eating Together).

Other October holidays include: Second Monday-Indigenous Peoples' Day; Columbus Day (To Celebrate, p. 145)

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART

Return to Table of Contents

Sustainable Agriculture, Organic Farming

10/17-Shop at Farmer's Markets. Eat mostly fruits and vegetables that are in season in your area. Most Americans are far removed from the source of their food and from the people who grow it. Our food travels an average of 1300 miles to reach our tables.

10/18-Children's Sabbath. Children's Defense Fund (ChildrensDefense.org) publishes CDF Reports and sponsors Children's Sabbath. Take a stand for children in worship services, educational activities, community service and advocacy efforts.

10/19-Top 10 reasons to buy organic: 1. Protect future generations, 2. Prevent soil erosion, 3. Protect water quality, 4. Save energy, 5. Keep chemicals off your plate, 6. Protect farm worker health, 7. Help small farmers, 8. Support a true economy, 9. Promote biodiversity, 10. Taste better flavor.

10/20-We are endangered by the pesticides that have been banned in this country but exported to and used in poor countries. Write a letter to a government official protesting the dumping of toxic chemicals in Developing World markets.

10/21-Investigate sustainable agriculture; also sustainable economic development, which is opposed to perpetual economic growth. Investigate Jubilee OneEarth Economics.

10/22-Biodiversity protects our food supply. Famines can result from monocultures. Extinction is forever. Contact SeedsOfChange.com: Organically Grown Seed (888/762-7333) and Seed Savers Exchange at SeedSavers.org.

For more information read Living More with Less, pp. 245-268 (Eating Together).

10/23-Landmines make farming a very dangerous business in many parts of the world, particularly Southeast Asia. Petition the federal government to work for the elimination of the use of landmines that cripple, maim and kill civilians.

10/24-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: United Nations Day (Treasury of Celebrations, p. 191; To Celebrate, p. 146)

Return to Table of Contents

10/25-Worth Reading: To Till It and Keep It: New Models for Congregational Involvement with the Land (715/294-2831). Or other resources from EarthMinistry.org

Relish SUSTENANCE QUOTES

10/26-A weed is called "a plant out of place." A weed is in the eye of the beholder.

10/27-Organic gardening involves the use of natural herbicides and pesticides. Composting vegetation from the garden and the kitchen (no meat!) builds up the soil. Low maintenance composters work slowly. Adding worms and natural enzymes speeds up the process.

Return to Table of Contents

Return to Table of Contents

Month 9*

Media QUOTES

Non-Conform Freely

Media Literacy

9/1-Most of us know so little about something so powerful and pervasive in our lives: the media. We're familiar with print media (magazines and newspapers), electronic media (television, radio, cable and the internet) and other media (telephone, billboards, direct mail). But do we recognize its effect in our lives, our families, our society, our world?

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART

9/2-We think of media as ways to receive information or entertainment. But the powers of commercialism see the media first and foremost as ways of delivering customers to advertisers. Through those eyes many other common items become media - anything that can carry a logo, a name - clothes, buses, sports stadiums. An average American sees 16,000 commercial impressions per day!

9/3-Media Literacy is an attempt to educate people about the power and techniques of the media. It includes the effects of advertising on our desires and the impact of violence on our behavior.

9/4-Media Literacy is directly connected to Simple Living. True meaning and fun in life come from relationships with self, friends, family and God. Stuff is a burden, a barrier, that prevents us from cultivating those relationships.

Advertising is largely a powerful and devious obstacle to living more simply. Advertising tries to create needs in us that we don't have. To get us to buy things we really don't need... stuff that gets in our way of finding real meaning and happiness in life, stuff that uses our time, money and energy but gives little in return except the desire for more.

Guest blog--Patheos: Messy Spirituality--Progressive Like Jesus

9/5-A helpful resource about the media is We Know What You Want. Learn about Screen-Free Week (formerly Turn Off TV Week).

Guest blog--103 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice

9/6-Contact Media Literacy groups for your own development, for the protection of your family, for the educating of your friends. Visit MediaLiteracy.com and Univ. Oregon Media Literacy.

Nudge/Blog/eNews--Latest Podcast Episode

9/7-Center for Media Literacy, the largest producer of media literacy teaching materials in North America (800/226-9494 or MediaLit.org). The Media Education Foundation (800/659-6882 or MediaEd.org) provides educators and others with video resources toward the development of a critically minded, media-literate public.

9/8-Center for Science in the Public Interest (cspinet.org) fights alcohol and tobacco billboards. Citizens for Media Literacy promotes citizenship in the age of mass media.

Imagine if everyone knew how to read. Twenty percent of the world is illiterate and almost two-thirds of the illiterate are women.

Take a moment to reflect on what reading means to you. What are some of your reading memories? How does reading contribute to your self-confidence, your ability to succeed, your joy, and your ability to learn?

Every September 8th, on International Literacy Day, Population Media Center (PMC) celebrates successes and acknowledge tremendous need. In some countries, literacy rates--from young adults to the elderly--are still well below 50 percent. Women are disproportionately illiterate. PMC focuses on girls' education because we know it's one of the best paths out of poverty and subservience. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 4 includes literacy for all young people and the opportunity to learn how to read for all adults who are not literate. Everyone deserves the right to read.

PMC's Work on Girls' Education

For more information

September holidays include: First Monday-Labor Day

Return to Table of Contents

9/9-Advertising can give us information to meet our basic needs... food, shelter, etc. Objectionable ads create false expectations and needs that are really wants or desires. Are we really better people because of the beverage we drink? Will we be sexier if we buy a certain kind of car? Will we be more popular or successful if we wear certain kinds of clothes or perfume?

Guest Blog--TreeHugger: People are Eating Less Meat and Doing More Home Cooking

9/10-When watching TV, ZAP the commercials (mute the sound). No need to be assaulted by aggressive car and soda pop commercials. Some consider ads "the price of admission." That's exactly what advertisers want you to think. The air waves belong to the people. We owe advertisers nothing!

Guest blog--Patheos: Why I Am a Progressive Christian (part 1)

9/11-Avoid wearing commercial logos which attempt to convey status and promote overconsumption. Fingernail scissors will cut embroidered logos off of sweaters. Only wear messages that convey values that you truly believe in. Be the Message!

Non-Conform Freely Celebration/Commemoration: Sept. 11 - 9/11

9/12-If a national magazine carries an article that criticizes the tobacco industry or questions smoking, one large tobacco company that also owns food companies will pull its FOOD ads from the magazine.

Guest blog--Patheos: Why I Am a Progressive Christian (part 2)

9/13-Some advertisers are trying to capitalize on our desire for simpler lives. An expensive luxury car is hyped with a picture of the shiny vehicle and the word "Simplify." A national restaurant chain uses the slogan "Simplify your life. Eat out more." The Masters of Doublespeak!

Relish 'Spirit of Simplicity' QUOTES: 8. Media // Relish 'Spirit of Simplicity' ART: Media

9/14-In the name of "research," some advertisers - without our permission or even our knowledge - place cameras in grocery stores to photograph our eyes as we shop. When we look at cereal, for example, a camera records our reaction to various boxes and even measures the length of time we focus on each box. This "research" helps advertisers decide what sells.

9/15-Are you a "news junkie?" Most commercial news broadcasts and talk shows stress the sensational. Too much stimulation from them can develop cynicism, even paranoia. Yes, we need to be informed, to protect ourselves. But moderate the input from commercial broadcasts and consider the alternative press, including public and independent radio and TV, especially Free Speech TV, LINK TV and Democracy Now! with Amy Goodman. Giving up something for Lent? Give up some media input... news and entertainment (wherever the line between them may be)... a-news-ment?

Hispanic Heritage Month, 9/15-10/15

Yom Kippur 2021 begins in the evening of Wed., 9/15, and ends in the evening of Thur., 9/16. Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Yom Kippur

9/16-The Media Foundation (800/663-1243 or Adbusters.org) sponsors Buy Nothing Day and publishes the irreverent magazine Adbusters: Journal of the Mental Environment. The Center for Media and Democracy (PRWatch.org) publishes PR Watch:Public Interest Reporting on the PR/Public Affairs Industry.

Nudge/Blog/eNews--Latest Podcast Episode

Return to Table of Contents

9/17-Is there any difference between watching a concert by the Three Tenors or a game at the Three Rivers stadium? Professional sports, movies and the fine arts may be on different spots on the entertainment continuum, but they're on the same line, as long as there's a passive audience. A Beethoven symphony is engaging to some. So is a hard fought hockey game. And they may represent the same thing... struggle between good and evil. Let's support the Arts by DOING the ARTS ... drawing, writing, dancing, reading aloud. If we feel incompetent, let's take a class. (Continued)

9/18-Amateurs and professionals are on a continuum too. The difference is not between "good" and "bad" art and entertainment but between passivity and involvement. Passive entertainment makes money for somebody else, so it's promoted. Active entertainment takes no more time but takes our energy. "The system" is designed primarily to keep us passive, to let professionals do the work while we pay them outrageous salaries. Non-conform freely. Reduce passive entertainment; increase active arts.

9/19- Play non-competitive, communications games with your family, such as Everyone Wins: Cooperative Games and Activities. (See January 21 for story telling games.)

Relish MEDIA QUOTES

9/20-Alternatives can help equip you to present children with alternatives to TV, to be prepared for weekly family fun time, to help develop your child's social conscience, to help develop your child's spirituality and interpersonal skills.

Guest blog--Patheos: Thoughts on an Imperial God

9/21-International Day of Peace ('Peace Day')

The International Day of Peace ('Peace Day') is observed around the world each year on 21 September. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.

Getting Ready Early for an Alternative Christmas Festival/Workshop

Refuse to be sucked into the fall hectics. Begin planning a less-consumer holiday season a little at a time. Use SLW! free online resources.

Peruse SLW! Advent-Christmas-Epiphany Article Index

9/22-"But seek first God's kingdom and God's righteousness and all these thing will be given to you as well." -Matthew 6:33.

Start SLW! Non-Consumer Christmas Campaign early this year. SLW! Legacy Podcast 'WHOSE Birthday?' mini-series #1, Episodes #6-11

Worth investigating:

9/23-First Day of Fall/Autumn Treasury of Celebrations // To Celebrate, p. 143).

Refuse to be sucked into the fall hectics. Begin planning a less-consumer holiday season a little at a time. Use SLW! free online resources.

Read a Festival Guide

9/24- If you find gambling "fun," set a limit of what you would normally spend for an evening's entertainment. If you're given free chips as an incentive, spend them (and any winnings) and no more. The addiction of gambling is no "better" than any other addiction, legal or illegal.

Refuse to be sucked into the fall hectics. Begin planning a less-consumer holiday season a little at a time. Use SLW! free online resources.

Read a Workshop Guide

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART

Return to Table of Contents

9/25-Most marketing tries to create constant dissatisfaction and personal inadequacy. We need one more thing - THIS thing - to be happy. Ooops. Didn't work? Then try this. "A satisfied customer is not." (from Fool's Gold)

Getting Ready Early for an Alternative Christmas Festival/Workshop

Refuse to be sucked into the fall hectics. Begin planning a less-consumer holiday season a little at a time. Use SLW! free online resources.

Submit an item for the new edition of 'Whose Birthday Is It, Anyway?'

9/26-Beware of Spin. The purpose of public relations is to interpret events in the best interest of the client (a company, group or government) that the firm represents... not necessarily the public's best interest. "Spin doctors" are generally public relations people who "put a spin" on an event, to get the public to see the event in their client's best interest. We can't avoid all spin, all interpretation. Be aware of their purpose. Then beware.

SLW! Nudge/BLOG

Week Four: 06/22/21

Planning Alternative Christmas Events Early

6/26-Many churches and groups organize Alternative Christmas events in the fall. Alternatives' How to Organize an Alternative Christmas Community Festival and Planning an Alternative Christmas Workshop might help. The three basic plans can be used singly or combined.

#1. Offer information about worthwhile organizations and encourage people to give a monetary gift in someone else's name. Most people consider it an honor to receive a "gift" that makes a difference. Contact Alternative Gifts International (800/842-2243 or AltGifts.org)

6/27-#2. Sell to or give to others crafts and clothing from artisans of non-industrial countries. Your family and friends get beautiful gifts at reasonable prices. Third World artisans get a fair price for their work since volunteer fairs and shops don't take a large share. Contact: SERRV International (SERRV.org); Ten Thousand Villages (TenThousandVillages.com); Friends of the Third World (FriendsOfTheThirdWorld.org) and Sharing the Dream (SharingTheDream.org).

SLW! Digest

6/28-#3. Organize an Alternative Christmas Workshop at your church. Several churches might work together. Go beyond gift-giving to the purpose of celebrating Christmas. Give people other ways to celebrate. Use support materials like Unplug the Christmas Machine and Leader's Guide to Unplug the Christmas Machine Workshop, also in audio. (See December.)

Latest Simpler OneEarth Living Podcast Episodes

6/29-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: RETIREMENT

Month 3*

Global Justice

Language

3/1-Our language shapes the way we think. Inclusive language opens us to more inclusive lives. Inclusive language may seem a little awkward because it feels new or different, not because it's wrong.

Simpler Living Nudge

3/2-Using inclusive language does not assume that everyone is alike or even equal in abilities. It recognizes that each person has different gifts but that we treat all with respect, not with prejudice. All are of equal value in God's sight.

3/3-When we hear the term "politically correct" or "PC," someone may be denigrating inclusive language.

3/4-"Sexism," "racism," "ageism" are expressions of prejudice, that we "pre-judge" people by their age, race or gender. We make up our mind about someone before getting to know them. All of these are very real. They combine prejudice and power. We can't escape prejudice but we can catch ourselves, say "Ooops," and instead be open to the person.

Worship Alternatives: Lent/Holy Week/Easter

3/5-Our attitudes about global justice are reinforced by language. We may think of people in developing countries as less than we because of their race or income. We may take a condescending or superior attitude, wanting to help "those poor souls." Instead, let's offer our help, not impose it, like we would want others to offer us help when we're in need. We're all family... the human family.

3/6-Beware of media and organizations that spread unconscious and excessive American nationalism, that suggest that Americans are superior than others because of our great wealth and power, that play on our fear of the unknown.

'Who's Risen from the Dead, Anyway?' collection

3/7-Do we impose titles on people, such as 'Mr. and Mrs.,' that they have not requested? Do we call people by their first names or diminutives when such may show a lack of respect?

Simpler OneEarth Living Legacy Podcast 03/19: Chuck Collins of the InEquality Project

3/8-International Women's Day (Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 141-144; To Celebrate, p. 107)

Legacy Guest Blog: Jubilee OneEarth Economics/Casa Jubileo--Pushing Back on Extreme Wealth in a Time of Hyper-Capitalism (Chuck Collins)

For more information

Orthodox Lent usually begins in March.

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART

3/9-Front line organizations, such as World Vision, Oxfam, Care, Heifer Project, Self Help, provide direct aid and self-help programs to needy people. Advocacy groups, like Bread for the World, lobby governments to do more for the needy. The U.S. government has access to more resources than do private organizations that depend on contributions. Participate in Bread's OFFERING of LETTERS at your local chapter or congregation or in your home.

3/10-Investigate global justice magazines, such as New Internationalist: the People, the Ideas, the Action in the Fight for World Development

3/11-Your congregation probably has a Social Ministry Committee. Find out what the members do. Typical projects are direct help, such as serving at the local Soup Kitchen, or education, such as a Social Concerns Fair. Resolve to participate in one project this year.

Spirit of Simplicity ART: Celebrating Lent/Easter

3/12-Your denomination probably has a national or regional hunger office. Contact it, find out what it does and consider giving it a contribution this year. Church World Service (800/456-1310 or ChurchWorldService.org) sponsors the national interfaith CROP Walks each year. Either walk or sponsor a walker this fall. Help start a walk if your community doesn't have one yet.

3/13-Worth Reading

3/14-Check to see if your city and state have a Human Rights Commission. Make one phone call or read their web site to find out what they do to confront prejudice. Check the government section in the front of your phone book or do an internet search.

3/15-Simplicity is not romanticizing poverty, monks, the Amish or people who struggled through the Great Depression. We only diminish those people's devotion or struggle, and we tend to try to make the journey of discipleship look silly or "for others," unrelated to us, untouchable. Poverty is NOT fun. Two thirds of the world population live in poverty involuntarily. We have a choice.

3/16-"Just as you did it to one of the least of these... you did it to me."-from Matthew 25:31-40. What sense of connection with people in need can unlock my compassion and generosity? Was there ever a time when I really didn't have enough money? How did or does that make me feel about people who are wealthier than me? (from Trek)

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART

3/17-St. Patrick's Day (To Celebrate, p. 108). Ponder "If you want peace, work for justice." August 6 is Peace Day or Hiroshima Day.

3/18-The pursuit of Peace: 12 steps of peacemaking can make your faith more than just talk. 1. Pray for peace and for one another. 2. See faces. 3. Learn names and stories. 4. Take the first step to love. 5. Reach out and touch. 6. Find common ground. 7. Make relationships concrete. 8. Give peace offerings. 9. Learn languages. 10. Eat together. 11. Celebrate together. 12. Stand with those in danger. -Ann Helmke

3/19-Does your denomination have a Peace and Justice office? Investigate Fellowship of Reconciliation, an association of religious Peace Fellowships. Call 914/358-4601, ask for a copy of Fellowship Magazine.

3/20-First Day of Spring (Treasury of Celebrations, pp. 145-148; To Celebrate, pp. 108-110). What can you do to reduce street crime? Would you join a brigade to remove gang-related graffiti?

3/21-Contact Center of Concern: Promoting Global Justice and Peace since 1971 (CoC.org); Pax Christi (PaxChristiUSA.org) which works for peace for all humankind; Pace e bene; Waging NonViolence; Teach Peace Now; War Resisters' League

3/22-Simple Living Works! offers many resources designed for children or people who work with children (like parents!). We hope to affect children's buying habits early because they are targeted by so many advertisers. A well-intentioned grandmother said, "I like to spoil my grandchildren when they're little. But when they turn ten, I CUT 'EM OFF." We're hoping to be a little more helpful.

3/23-Read Alternatives' "War Toys and Christmas: A Contradiction in Terms" and "Organize for Peace: How to Start a Peacemaking Group in Your Church."

Advocacy/Boycotts

3/24-Central America Week

3/25-Over the years people of faith have used boycotts to reduce poor social practices among businesses, such as Nestle Company's practices in the Developing World. The organizer of that boycott is still at work for other causes - Corporate Accountability International (formerly InFact.org: Challenging Corporate Abuse, Building Grassroots Power, Since 1977). Most denominations have an advocacy office. Contact yours and find out what they do. Alternatives' "Reaching Out Through the Media" helps promote events and causes.

3/26-Small, every day protests can be effective. Businesses listen to buyers. Most want to avoid controversy. Most want to do business quietly as usual, even if some results are harmful or wasteful... as long as they're profitable. The strongest way to challenge such businesses occurs when we might diminish their "bottom line." Change to a different maker of a similar product that is less wasteful. Then write a letter explaining your concern or join an organized boycott to make sure that the egregious company gets the point.

3/27-Assertive folks buy one share of an offending company's stock, file shareholder resolutions, attend the annual meeting and verbally protest the company's policies.

3/28-Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Holy Week/Good Friday

Wrapping up Women's History Month

3/29-An organization like WorkingAssets.com/CREDO (800/548-2567) provides long distance, credit card and investment services and is an advocate for change. Their profits go to a wide variety of grassroots organizations, voted on by the customers annually.

3/30-Find out who your local, state and national government representatives are. Your local library, League of Women Voters or an internet search can provide a list of names, addresses, phone and e-mail. Write at least one letter expressing your support for laws (and lawmakers!) that protect the environment, not degrade it. And send one not supporting climate change deniers. You can also call your senators' and representative's office in your part of the state. Check directory assistance or search the internet.

3/31-Government officials are influenced by hand written letters instead of signed form letters or "petitions." Most organizations will supply a sample letter on an issue that you want to address. You can then word it in your own style. Address your letter to: Senator ___, United States Senate, Washington, DC 20510; Representative ___, House of Representatives, Washington, DC 20515. Or call the Capitol switchboard (202/244-3121) to talk with your members of Congress or to get their FAX numbers or e-mail addresses. Close a letter with "Please let me hear from you on this issue." Most will respond, at least with a form letter presenting their position.

Return to Table of Contents

Month 2*

Celebrating More Responsibly

Week 1: Music/Worship

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Worship Alternatives: Art
More ART

2/1-Musicians are not exempt from the call to offer help to the needy and to care for God's Creation. Urge your congregation to put on a benefit concert, including some music of social responsibility. Worthwhile musicals are Lazarus from Bread for the World, and The Race: A Simplicity Musical from the ELCA Hunger Program.

2/2-Write a letter to the music publishers your congregation uses the most. Urge them to use recycled paper and soy-based inks when they print their music.

2/3-A great, inexpensive hymnal on social responsibility is Banquet of Praise from Bread for the World. Give a copy to your Minister of Music and offer to buy more copies for your choir, youth group or congregation.

2/4-Alternatives' Worship Alternatives collection includes hymns, litanies, etc. on global justice. The Hymn Society in the United States and Canada (TheHymnSociety.org or 800/THE-HYMN) has several collections and papers on topics related to Voluntary Simplicity, including Sing Justice! Do Justice!

2/5-BWAAG (Better World Artists' & Activists' Guild) says, "Never underestimate the power within you to make a better world." This non-profit, national ecumenical network of individuals who are committed to enriching the peace and social justice ministers of congregations and related organizations has produced several recordings and songbooks. Visit Better World Series site or FaceBook.

Non-Conform-Freely Celebration: Black History Month

2/6-Investigate Alternatives' booklets and recordings Sing Justice! Do Justice! and Stories and Songs of Simple Living.

2/7-In Celtic Christianity, the wild goose is a symbol for the Holy Spirit. Wild Goose Songs from the Iona Community in Scotland are very direct and powerful.

Worship Alternatives: Lent/Holy Week/Easter

2/8-After the Bible, the hymnal often is the second most important book to many Christians. If you do not have one, buy your denominational hymnal for your office and home for private and family daily devotions. Read one hymn per day as poetry. Sing the ones you know.

More on celebrating more responsibly in November and December.

For more information

Week 2: Preparing for Lent, Easter and Other Spring Festivals

2/9-Celebrations belong to people. They are not natural resources to be strip-mined each year for the sake of profit. Treasury of Celebrations channels our desire to celebrate into activities that truly nourish the human spirit, express our solidarity with all the Earth's people, and respect the environment. If you are not satisfied with consumer-oriented celebrations, this big book of creative ideas will help you resist consumer pressures and celebrate in a more spiritually fulfilling, joyful way.

2/10-"Freedom from anxiety is characterized by three inner attitudes. If what we have we receive as a gift, and if what we have is to be cared for by God, and if what we have is available to others, then we possess freedom from anxiety. This is the inward reality of simplicity. However, if what we have we believe we have gotten and if what we have we believe we must hold onto, and if what we have is not available to others, then we live in anxiety. Such persons will never know simplicity regardless of the outward contortions they may put themselves through in order to live 'the simple life.'" --Richard Foster (a Christian theologian and author in the Quaker tradition, best known for his 1978 book 'Celebration of Discipline'; also 'Freedom of Simplicity,' 1981; 'Longing for God' with Gayle Beebe, 2008)

2/11-Alternatives' numerous Worship, Study & Activity Guides for Lent and Easter include "An Easter Seder" (meal) and "A Passover Seder." Some resources are intergenerational.

2/12-'Who's Risen from the Dead, Anyway?' collection

2/13-Alternatives' numerous 40 Day Calendars for Lent (as bulletin inserts, a poster or booklet) can be used within lectionary cycles or not. Some also come in Spanish; one is for children.

For more information read Treasury of Celebrations, Part III, pp.127-227

On Ash Wednesday (beginning of Lent) we are reminded of our mortality. What do we really want to accomplish in our lifetime? Daydream about people living in harmony in a clean environment. Make the fantasy as positive and fun as possible. Focus on the people and the Earth interacting, not on "stuff," things, possessions or money.

2/14-St. Valentine's Day

V-Day: A Day of Awareness of Violence Against Women Worldwide. OneBillionRising.org

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity: Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART

2/15-"If I give away all my possessions... but do not have love, I gain nothing." - from I Corinthians 13. What keeps me from giving the gift of myself more often? What non-material gifts could I give on the various gift-giving occasions during the year? (from Trek)

Presidents' Day: What values do we really admire in heroes? Who do we pick to be our heroes?

Week 3: Rites of Passage

2/16-Treasury of Celebrations: Create Celebrations That Reflect Your Values and Don't Cost the Earth contains life affirming ways to celebrate holidays and rites of passage, such as births, graduations and deaths. It draws material from the six Alternate Celebrations Catalogs published from 1973-87 by Alternatives and adds new ideas in its 384 pages. To Celebrate: Reshaping Holidays and Rites of Passage is the only predecessor of Treasury still in print.

Simpler Living Nudge/Blog (eNews #113)

2/17--Non-Conform Freely Celebration: Ash Wednesday (First Day of Lent) Treasury of Celebration: Lent

Legacy SLW! Podcast #13: Let's Get Ready for a Simpler Lent & Easter

2/18/20--The average American wedding now costs over $27,000. We can find value and meaning without going into debt. Wedding Alternatives (The Alternative Wedding Book) helps create a beautiful wedding that reflects true family values and doesn't cost the Earth. It comes in English or in Spanish (Nuestra Boda).

SLW! Quarterly Digest--links to posts and podcasts from many colleague organizations--Lots of Help!

2/19-A January-February, issue of Modern Bride Magazine contained 940 pages! The Alternative Wedding Book offers alternatives to engaged couples, clergy and others... alternatives to the bridal magazines and professional bridal consultants. It encourages couples to use their imaginations as they incorporate their values and family and ethnic traditions in planning meaningful wedding celebrations. It's a practical planning guide with personal stories from people who chose more than the status quo wedding.

Voluntary Simplicity study/action guide Session 10: Weddings and Other Merriments

2/20-The Alternative Wedding Book details ways to sort out what is important to you and make your wedding what you want it to be. It gives guidelines for ceremonies (with eight complete examples) and practical and cost-cutting tips on food, flowers, decorations, photography, clothing, music, location, setting, entertainment, invitations, even choosing rings. The Wedding Timeline/Checklist is a fast and easy way to make sure your plans run smoothly and that everything gets done. The Budget Worksheet will help you save money and time.

2/21-What messages about material goods do I get from my church or faith community? Do my closest friends push me toward deeper values, or make it harder to live them out? (from Trek)

2/22-New Road Ministries (803/892-2556) offers bereavement seminars and video. The classic Dealing Creatively with Death and numerous children's books dealing with death and grieving are valuable resources. Also natural funerals.

Voluntary Simplicity study/action guide Session 6: Celebrating Death

For more information read

Other February holidays include on Third Monday-President's Day (Washington's Birthday observed) (To Celebrate, p. 95).

Week 4: What Is "Enough"?

2/23-Meditate on the concept of "enough." "Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that I need." - from Proverbs 30:7-9. "The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little." -II Corinthians 8:15. Do I think a world where everyone has enough is part of God's vision for humankind?

2/24-"Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?"-from Isaiah 55:1-5. Do I give the people who love me what they most want from me? Am I able to spend the time I need to build special relationships with the people I love?

2/25-What is a good balance of "deferred gratification" and "taking no thought for tomorrow?" Will the amount of things I own continue to grow throughout my life, or will I eventually say, "that's enough"? How much do I need to accumulate before I can do what I really want to do? What am I doing now to enjoy2/ life?

2/26-Spend an evening with one of your parents, a grandparent or other friend who has retired. Invite them to talk about the choices they have made about how to spend their lives. What choices have brought them the most joy? What do they wish they had done more of?

2/27-Do I use the things I own to build walls or bridges between myself and others? What messages do I receive about the need or desirability of "having my own space"? Who gives me those messages? If a fire destroyed my place, who would I ask to give me emergency housing?

2/28-Meditate on "hospitality." What is the finest gift I can offer a visitor who comes into my life? When have I been received into someone's home or living space with great hospitality? What did they do to make me feel welcome? Who makes me feel most at ease in his or her presence? How does he or she make me feel at ease?

2/29-Leap Year Day. What to do with an extra day? How can I work for just enough without tying myself into knots of guilt and despair?

Return to Table of Contents

Month 1

Life Principle #1: Do Justice

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice. More ART

1/2-Voluntary Simplicity is not about following rules, but about living by principles. Living more simply is about personal responsibility. It's seeing where our lives may be extravagant, even out-of-control, and deciding what to do a little at a time to cut down on overconsumption. Don't begin cold turkey. You might get frustrated and give up.

1/3-20% of the world's population - the Overconsumers - use 80% of the resources and the other 80% - the Sustainers - use only 20%. Our planet cannot sustain life if everyone lived like the Overconsumers. The motto of voluntary simplicity begins to make sense: Live simply that others may simply live. This calendar challenges us Overconsumers - virtually every person in North America, Western Europe and Japan - to offer up an Environmental Tithe, to reduce consumption of all resources by at least 10%. God put us on Earth to be stewards of Creation - sustainers, not abusers; protectors, not dominators.

Relish Spirit of Simplicity ART: Voluntary Simplicity

1/4-Living more simply may mean dealing with our own resentment when others don't "get it." When we are making corrections to live more responsibly and others don't seem to have the slightest inclination to change their wasteful ways, we may feel angry. We can be living testimonials. We are not judgmental but we speak up whenever we have the chance.

Legacy SLW! Blog: New Year--New Daily Inspiration (Simpler Living Every Day Calendar for 2020)

1/5-Simplicity is not "living on the cheap." It's more than being frugal, far from being a tightwad, and surely not being a miser. In some cases it may mean actually paying more for tools that are Earth-friendly. Instead it's a journey to find more meaning, more joy, more fun in life by getting out from under the burden of so much stuff - to remove the barrier of stuff that keeps us apart from other people, from God and even from ourselves.

We avoid fads, convenience and deprivation. Instead, we believe in abundance -- there's enough for everyone's need, not anybody's greed.

1/6-Epiphany. Consider using Alternatives' An Epiphany Celebration, in your congregation. Or read it here.

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART

1/7-The first principle is not "Think about Justice," or even "Believe in Justice." It's "Do Justice!" Besides our prayers, our contributions, and our pressure on governments, we help the world's poor by consuming less, thereby making more available for others. Biblical justice reflects God's great love for the poor and our parallel call to live in a way that positively responds to their needs.

Simpler OneEarth Living Podcast--Ep. 0121--Grace Dyrness: Planning Economic Revitalization WITH Poor People instead of FOR Them: Wow!:

1/8-In face of an economic system and an advertising industry that pressure us, we CAN take control of our own buying patterns! We can beat this addiction of overconsumption day by day... and then share ideas of simpler living with others.

Legacy SLW! Podcast--Episode #2::Life Standard #1: Do Justice!

For more information

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity: Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART

1/9-Reflect. "And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8. We have a great deal to learn from people in Developing World countries, most of whom live simply by necessity, not choice. More about food in October.

1/10-All things are connected. We want to help those poor people with THEIR problem OVER THERE. However, we need to realize many of their problems are caused by OUR problem OVER HERE, our overconsumption.

1/11-A black bishop from Africa said, "White folks... yes, they're the people who can sing and NOT move at the same time." African music can help liberate other Christians.

1/12-For every Christian that North America and Western Europe loses, Africa gains three! We have something profound to learn from our African brothers and sisters.

1/13-Ask yourself, "What can I live without?" Be uncomfortable. Take something off - a watch, an earring - as a reminder of less. Are you a slave to the clock? Are you burdened by too many clothes or jewelry? Take something off.

1/14-Even people from our highly technological medical establishment are now seeing the potential of learning from native healers/shamans. We are learning natural cures from the rain forests.

1/15-What do children say when they want to do something they know is irresponsible? "But everybody's doing it!" Let's try that in our lives. "But God, everybody's driving a new car.... But God, everybody builds a big, expensive house that's many times bigger than they need, claiming it's for equity when the kids leave home.... But God, everybody has a yard that looks like a golf course so that nobody complains that we're lowering their property values...." Sounds just as silly and disconcerting as kids' requests to sleep outdoors on a sidewalk overnight to be in line for tickets to a rock concert.

See Alternatives' video Simply Enough: Tony and Shane on Simple, Just Living, with bonus segments.

1/16-Voluntary Simplicity is a consciousness, an awareness. It is a matter of personal responsibility. Before we buy or use something ask, "Do I really need to do this?"

Other January holidays include
Martin Luther King Day (Third Monday).

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART

1/25-The forces against living simply are extremely powerful and devious. Some of them are quiet, unwritten... like how we dress in church, how our house will look at Christmas time. But many of them can be loud, in-your-face forces that work to get as deeply into our pocketbook as possible. (See September for media pressures.)

1/26-Let's say what overconsumption often represents - addiction. As any addiction, it is powerful. It takes great will power, faith, and the right tools to beat an addiction. The addiction of overconsumption is reinforced by our culture. It is encouraged, fed, promoted by peer pressure and by advertising. We are told it is patriotic to buy, that our economy depends on it, that we are "worth it." We are worth much more than our stuff! Destroying the Earth in the name of 'economic growth' is not patriotic!

1/27-Worth Reading: the classic Your Money or Your Life by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. Check out the recent SLW! Podcast about the latest edition.

1/28-Small groups could benefit from: Living More with Less Study Guide; Your Money or Your Life Study Guide, Simple Living / Compassionate Life.

Alternatives' video Break Forth into Joy!: Beyond a Consumer Lifestyle won a Gold Medal at the Houston International Film Festival!

1/29-"Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?"-from Matthew 6:24-33. How do my clothes reflect my personality and my values? Did the people who made my clothes get a fair wage for their work? Go to your clothes closet. Choose enough clothes to wear a different outfit each day for a week. Put the other clothes aside. Wear only the clothes you've chosen for the next two weeks. (from Trek)

Graphic from Alternatives' collection Spirit of Simplicity:
Quotes & Art for Simpler Living and Global Justice
More ART

1/30-Shop at Goodwill and other thrift shops. Wear clothes from other cultures. Support others who break clothing stereotypes. Show the great fraud of "The clothes make the man" and "Dress for success." Is wearing "nice" clothes to church a matter of giving God our best? Wearing expensive clothes is giving our best to ourselves and our clique-mates.

1/31-We can object when people suggest dress codes for voluntary events, such as company parties or church activities. Must men always feel obliged to wear a tie?

For more information

Life Principle #5: Cherish the Natural Order, appears in April and May.

Return to Table of Contents