Innovative partnership aims to help Episcopal churches 'go green'
Episcopal News Service. October 5, 2010 [100510-01]
In an innovative venture that benefits congregations of all sizes, the Episcopal Church has partnered with GreenFaith, a national religious environmental group, to assist churches' efforts to "go green," according to an Oct. 5 press release from the church's Office of Public Affairs.
"I'm very excited about this collaboration with GreenFaith," said Michael Schut, the Episcopal Church's officer for economic and environmental affairs. "The program is holistic and very well supported. Participating congregations will not only 'green' their buildings and grounds, but develop relationships with environmental justice advocacy organizations and members of the interfaith community, and integrate creation-care into education and worship. Congregations can learn from the experiences of other congregations. The program is a possible avenue for deep congregational revitalization."
Many congregations have expressed the desire to be environmentally "green" and as ecologically responsible as possible. The collaboration between GreenFaith and the church provides a means for that effort, the release said.
"Collaboration with GreenFaith is a wonderful expression of our 2009 General Convention mission priority commitment to 'networking the Body of Christ' and to 'alleviating poverty and injustice,'" said the Rev. Christopher Johnson, the church's officer for social and economic justice. "We look forward to encouraging participation among Jubilee ministries around the interdependent issues of environmental, economic and social injustice and how these three factors subvert the dignity of those most adversely impacted by their affects."
General Convention considered some 15 environmental resolutions at its 2009 convention to address climate change, global warming, economic and environmental justice, renewable energy, nuclear energy and weaponry, and one that would establish a liturgical creation cycle during Pentecost.
The goals of this partnership, Schut said, include: to support the development of faithful, strong environmental leadership; to help congregations learn to reduce their operating costs; and to model creation care, spirituality and justice throughout a congregation's life and practice.
Certification
To address those goals, GreenFaith is offering its GreenFaith Certification Program which Schut explained as a two-year, holistic process engaging an entire congregation through education, worship, environmental justice advocacy, building and grounds and developing relationships with the larger interfaith community.
The program is the nation's first interfaith environmental certification program designed specifically for houses of worship, said the Rev. Fletcher Harper, GreenFaith's executive director. The program empowers churches, mosques and temples to become strong environmental leaders by carrying out a substantial number of environmental leadership activities over a two-year period, he added.
Among the tools and resources provided by GreenFaith to participating churches are webinars, web-based resources and phone/e-mail support.
Grants
To participate in the program, GreenFaith offers a sliding scale fee, based on congregation size. To mark the launch of this collaboration, the Economic and Environmental Affairs Office and GreenFaith are underwriting 50 percent of the tuition for 30 churches nationwide, enabling selected churches to enroll for a total discounted cost of $250 – $750.
Subsidies will be awarded in two rounds. The deadline is Dec. 1 to receive a subsidy in 2010; for 2011 the deadline is Feb. 1. To apply, contact Schut at mschut@episcopalchurch.org.
Webinars
GreenFaith will offer a free hour-long webinar to help congregational leadership understand the program and to answer questions and address concerns. The schedule for the upcoming webinars is:
- Monday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. EST.
- Thursday, Oct. 21, noon and 3 p.m. EST.
The webinars will be archived online for those who who cannot participate live. To participate, contact Stacey Kennealy at skennealy@greenfaith.org.