The Green Team
Land Acknowledgement
As we gather with friends, allies, and those we may not yet know, we acknowledge that the land traditionally known as De Jope, which means four lakes, is part of who we are and reflects our history. Wisconsin is the homeland of 12 First Nations, including the Ho-Chunk people, who have lived in the Madison area for thousands of years, contributing in many ways to our region.
As Christian European immigrants, we acknowledge our part in the history of systematic destruction and displacement of Indigenous peoples. We acknowledge the ongoing systems of harm, toward our indigenous siblings and toward the land, that are perpetuated throughout our neighborhood, our state, and the world today. We, Messiah Lutheran Church, are committed to protecting and honoring the history and people of this area, working toward healing and justice with our local indigenous communities, and living as stewards and caregivers for the land and water.
What is the Green Team?
Messiah's Green Team is dedicated to fostering a wide environmental impact, challenging every person to make one change in their life to benefit the earth. Our call is always to seek ways to heal and better steward the land we care for.
Boomerang Bag Group will next gather to sew Boomerang Bags on
Tuesday, November 11 from
10:00 am - 12:00 noon
in the Social Hall.
We are looking for clean cloth or other type of material bags that we can transform into grocery type bags for St. Stephen’s Food Pantry.
There is a collection bin in the collection area for these items.
Boomerang Bags is about connecting communities, making bags, diverting waste, starting conversations, fostering sustainable behaviour, and having a bit of fun!
Here at Messiah we have a group of members who gather on the thrid Tuesday of each month and work on different parts of the Boomerang Bag projects.
Some members sew bags at home in their spare time, and some work on other parts of the bag making process.
You can still help even if you can’t sew!
Since our Boomerang Bag group started a few years ago they have made over 2000 Boomerang Bags. That is a lot of material saved from ending up in the landfill.
Here is a breakdown of where all those bags have gone:
600 Craft & Bake Sales (last year and this year) 300 at each Craft & Bake Sale.
12 - Activity Bags for children to use in the Sanctuary
10 - Given to St. Paul’s AME Church
500 - Given out at Messiah in Fall 2023, Earth Day 2024 and Spirit Day 2025
36 - Given out at the Ladies Lunch Bunch
50 - Given out to individuals
50 - Given to camp participants
24 - Given to St. Stephen’s Food Pantry
They are now preparing 400 bags to be given out at Synod Assembly in May
Prairie Hill
Throughout May of 2025 thanks to generous donations by members of Messiah, we planted a 1600 square foot prairie on the north end of our property!
With a mix of native Wisconsin plants, we will:
- Strengthen root systems and soil health
- Reduce water runoff from the parking lot, and the amount of grass that needs to be cut weekly
- provide space for pollinators (bees, birds, etc.)
- And add some beauty to the neighborhood!
Solar Panel Array
On May 4, 2025 we dedicated our 121-panel solar array! We were joined by representatives from “Solar for Good” and “MadiSUN,” two of the organizations that we received grants from to make this project possible! And we even got on TV!
121 panels = 85,000 kWh/year = $9,000 of our electric bill saved = $9,000 we can send back into the community programs we support!
As of October 2025 we have saved 56,000 lbs. of carbon emissions which is equal to planting 424 trees
Return to using Glass Communion Cups
On May 10, 2025 we reintroduced glass communion cups in place of the single-use plastic cups we have been using.
A huge thank you to one of our members, Roger, for crafting the two collection tables, literally extending our communion table! This was done in memory of his wife who passed away in 2024. She was a proud advocate for the environment and a beloved member of this community.
Trip to the Dane County Landfill and Recycling Presentation
On August 26, 2025 nine Messiah folks took the tour at the Dane County Landfill, and on September 10, 2025 30 more people took the tour. They had a very powerful learning experience related to trash and recycling in our community.
On the evening of September 10, 2025, 40 people participated in an evening of pizza and a presentation on recycling. Brian Johnson shared a PowerPoint presentation, a short video, and spoke to us about Madison’s recycling program. After his presentation he held a question and answer session.
