Earth Stewards 2025 Lecture Series The Aldersgate Earth Stewards are at it again! Trying to help us learn more about climate change and steps we can take at home, at work or at school to lessen the impact we have on Mother Earth. To that end, Earth Stewards will host a lecture series starting in January and ending in April to help us learn about various topics with the help of experts from the City of Lincoln, Lincoln Electric System (LES) and Aldersgate’s own Steve Schafer. Details follow below.
These presentations will be live-streamed. We do hope you will join us in person so you may enjoy the light refreshments that will be served. Most speakers plan to bring handouts, so please attend in person if you’re able. This is your chance to ask experts questions in person!
You are welcome to bring a friend, your cousin, or a neighbor, too! We look forward to seeing one and all!
January 28, 2025
Speaker: Jessica Kneifl
Topic:
- LES Sustainable Energy Program (SEP) for 2025
- Heat Pump Incentives
Description
Every year, Lincoln Electric System (LES) offers incentives to help us improve energy efficiency of our homes and commercial buildings (https://www.les.com/sustainability/sustainable-energy-program). Residential improvements are typically for heating/cooling systems, hot water heaters and sealing/insulation – improvements that save you money! LES and the City of Lincoln also have a heat pump program that offers additional incentives for heat pump installation (you must live in the City of Lincoln). Jessica Kneifl from the LES Energy Services group will review the 2025 LES Sustainable Energy Program (SEP) incentives, along with the LES/City of Lincoln heat pump incentives on Tuesday, Jan 28 at 7 PM in the Aldersgate UMC sanctuary. Please join us and take advantage of directly asking Jessica your questions (it sure beats phoning/emailing and waiting for a response!). Light refreshments will be served. This presentation will be livestreamed for those at home, and you may submit questions online.
A livestream of this event is also available on our YouTube Channel
February 25, 2025
Speaker: Anna Oeting, Sustainability Specialist
Topic: City of Lincoln Climate Action Plan
Description: The City of Lincoln has drawn up a Climate Action Plan. What does it contain? How will it affect me? What is the goal of the plan? What progress has been made? Please join us in the Aldersgate UMC sanctuary on Tuesday, Feb 25 at 7 PM as Anna Oetting, Sustainability Specialist from the City of Lincoln, gives us an overview of the city’s plan and some current things that are underway. The plan is large and we can’t cover all aspects of it, but we can learn more about how our city government is working for us to make Lincoln a more resilient city in light of climate change. This is your time to come and be able to directly ask Anna your questions. Light refreshments will be served. This presentation will be livestreamed for those at home, and you may submit questions online.
Bring your questions, too! There will be time for Q&A after the presentation. Take advantage of asking an expert face-to-face.
A livestream of this event is also available on our YouTube Channel
March 25, 2025
Speaker: Marc Shkolnick, LES Energy Services Manager
Topic: The Big Balance
Description:
Lincoln Electric System (LES) is the electrical supplier for Aldersgate and most members of the congregation. They set a decarbonization goal (i.e., reduce or eliminate the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) released into the atmosphere) several years ago and revised it in 2020. Their aim is to be net zero (no CO2 emissions) by 2040. This aligns with the City of Lincoln’s
Climate Action Plan (see the Feb 25 speaker above) goal of an 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050. Please join us in the Aldersgate sanctuary on Tuesday, March 25 at 7 PM to hear Marc Shkolnick, LES Energy Services Manager, present ‘The Big Balance’. He will outline how LES is transitioning away from fossil fuels and generating more electricity from renewable sources. This is a very insightful presentation, and you won’t want to miss it! Light refreshments will be served. This presentation will be livestreamed for those at home, and you may submit questions online.
A livestream of this event is also available on our YouTube Channel
April 22, 2025
Speaker: Steve Schafer
Topic: Lawn Alternatives
Description:
You might be aware that Aldersgate has been conducting some lawn experiments for the last few years. Now is the time to see what has survived both drought and heavy precipitation events. Please join us on Tuesday, April 22 at 7 PM in the Aldersgate sanctuary where Steve Schafer will outline the process he has followed over the years with these experimental lawn coverings, including which ones are thriving and which ones have not been as successful. This is your chance to come and ask your questions face-to-face with Steve. Light refreshments will be served. This presentation will be livestreamed for those at home, and you may submit questions online.
A livestream of this event is also available on our YouTube Channel