Bright Ideas

Bright Ideas
In the race to slow the progression of climate change, many efforts are devoted to reducing carbon emissions: solar and wind power, hybrid and electric vehicles, and energy efficient building practices. But scientists and climate change activists are increasingly focusing on carbon sequestration, a…
Bright Ideas
Summer is a great time to slow down, relax and enjoy one another’s company. At St. Elizabeth’s Church in Sudbury, there is a new summer tradition that reflects that slower summer pace: the cookout Eucharist.Every Wednesday in July, St. Elizabeth’s parishioners gather for a come-as-you-are Eucharist…
Bright Ideas
Each Ash Wednesday, Episcopalians from numerous congregations take to streets and train stations in an effort that's come to be known as "Ashes to Go."  (Read about some past efforts here.)Among them this year were the Rev. Margaret Schwarzer, Associate Rector for Adult Formation and…
Bright Ideas
Grace Church in New Bedford has joined a national movement to provide something that is taken for granted by many, but sometimes out of reach for the homeless and working poor: clean laundry.  South Coast Mission Hub Life Together intern Victoria Laskey learned of the nationwide Laundry Love…
Bright Ideas
The Church of Our Saviour in Arlington is using an old tradition to build new connections among parishioners and promote prayerful waiting during the Advent season.  Las Posadas is a tradition from Mexico and Central America, and Our Saviour's iteration of it, families bring nativity figures…
Bright Ideas
Creation Care Season got an early start at Christ Church in Waltham in its partnership with the Meadowscaping for Biodiversity summer program. Cone flowers in the meadow. Students learned about native…
Bright Ideas
For high school students planning to attend college, SAT performance can be a major obstacle.  Preparatory courses can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. These classes, which have become the norm in affluent school districts, are often financially out of reach for low-income students…
Bright Ideas
As part of their Christmas gift giving this year, members of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Watertown are turning off lights in unused rooms, air drying laundry and carpooling--just a few of the relatively inexpensive carbon-emission-saving acts that are part of the parish's holiday Give-to-the…
Bright Ideas
Fall means pumpkins at Epiphany Parish in Walpole. Since 2006, the church has been hosting a pumpkin patch, incorporating the entire community into this month-long, seven-day-a-week effort.   The word is spreading, as well: this year, St. Mark’s Church in Burlington opened its own pumpkin…