by Drew Page
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Spotlight on Ministry |
MIDDLETOWN (03/05/2010) -- Resolutions come easy. Executing them takes work. Executive Secretary Yvo de Boer of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change said in December, “The world walks away from Copenhagen with a deal.” He then added, “So the challenge is now to turn [the agreement] into something real, measurable and verifiable.”
In 2008, the CT Conference resolved to “increase their level of ‘green’ activity and practice within the next two to five years.” This is no different than promising to lose 20 pounds in 2010, right? The Conference did far more than resolve, and now several churches have shown how the proper steps can improve the environmental impact of our congregations.
The Connecticut Conference Environment Ministry Team (EMT) has developed 45 actions steps to becoming a green church. Divided into three recognition levels, called globes, these steps are certainly “real, measureable, and verifiable.” The most commonly taken steps include preaching on environmental stewardship, examining energy use toward forming a plan for reducing consumption, and recycling. George Stone, Co-Chair of the EMT, says these are frequently seen because they cost nothing and require no expertise. According to Stone, all 15 level-one action steps have been taken by various conference churches.
First Church of Christ in Middletown UCC is “way ahead of almost all of us in steps taken,” says Stone. First Church has been recognized as a Green Church with Two Globes, meaning they have achieved at least 80% of the steps in levels one and two. The Rev. John C. Hall, pastor at First Church, attributes the success to focusing on three goals: reducing the environmental footprint of the congregation, changing the culture of its members shifting attitudes, and advocating community involvement.
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Over the past 4 years, First Church has taken a long list of steps to reduce its energy consumption, including replacing light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), installing programmable thermostats, and moving worship into the parish hall in cold weather to avoid heating the larger sanctuary. Through its efforts, the church has reduced electricity consumption 34 percent, dropping from 50,000 kwh in 2006 to 33,000 kwh in 2009.
The church has made equally impressive strides toward changing the thinking of the congregation. From preaching about the environment to promoting clean energy options for its members, the church is dedicated to changing the attitude of members from an I-Do-My-Part mindset to making environmental care a lifestyle.
“It’s easy for individuals to take steps that make them feel better,” says Rev. Hall. “But it’s equally destructive when they feel okay about other things they do.”
Visible reminders such as the low water landscape in front of the church and a green column in the electronic newsletter help promote the mind shift. First Church has even held an electric car show to encourage congregants to think about their own transportation methods.
A focus on community advocacy led to the creation of The Jonah Center of the Earth and Art. Started as a vision to get the Middletown community to build an educational facility at the landfill, the center has become an education and advocacy organization whose goal is to foster communication and collaboration between community members, scientists, business people, artists, and environmental resources. Since 2005, the center has helped promote energy efficient planning in the community, intervened with alternative low impact construction designs, and promoted cultural events such as “Feet to the Fire”, an eco-arts festival that drew over 2000 visitors in 2008.
George Stone calls First Church an “inspiration to us all.” And yet, the steps taken by First Church are the same first steps all churches can take. It’s not as easy as making a resolution, but some things are worth the effort.
For information on taking steps toward a greener church, visit the conference’s Green Church resource (www.ctucc.org/greenchurch/). To learn more about the Jonan Center, visit their website (thejonahcenter.org).
Drew Page is Media Assistant for the Connecticut Conference UCC.
