Resources for Congregations

PlanItGreen for Congregations

As included in the Environmental Sustainability Plan for Oak Park and River Forest.

Resources and Funding Sources for Energy

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Resources and Funding Sources for Waste

Resources and Funding Sources for Water

GreenFaith Interfaith Partners in Action for the Earth

GreenFaith offers green building resources for faith communities at buildingingoodfaith.org.  Here you can find:

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  • Two webinars that describe the green building process.

  • An explanation of green building terms and concepts.

  • Fundraising advice.

  • Theological, environmental, and economic reasons to “build green.”

  • Tips on finding qualified architects.

  • Success stories of religious groups that have completed green building projects.

Faith in Place

Faith in Place gives religious people the tools to become good stewards of the earth. We partner with religious congregations to promote clean energy & sustainable farming.

Since 1999, Faith in Place has partnered with over 600 congregations in Illinois—Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Zoroastrian, Baha’i and Unitarian. We’re also part of the national Interfaith Power & Light campaign.

Our mission is to help people of faith understand that issues of ecology and economy—of care for Creation—are at the forefront of social justice. At Faith in Place we believe in housing the homeless, feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. But even if we do all those things, and love our brothers and sisters with our whole heart, it will not matter if we neglect the ecological conditions of our beautiful and fragile planet. Visit here: http://faithinplace.org/

Interfaith Power & Light Campaign

The mission of Interfaith Power & Light is to be faithful stewards of Creation by responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy. This campaign intends to protect the earth’s ecosystems, safeguard the health of all Creation, and ensure sufficient, sustainable energy for all. Visit here: http://interfaithpowerandlight.org/

Cool Congregations Calculator

Use the Cool Congregations Calculator to estimate your congregation’s carbon footprint. It offers a snapshot of your carbon footprint, allowing you to look at the best places to lower your footprint and become more energy smart. Carbon footprint is broken down into four sub-components:

  • Energy use

  • Transportation.

  • Goods and services

  • Waste

Credit is then given for lands your congregation may manage in their natural state as carbon sinks and for any carbon offsets your congregation has purchased. Your congregation’s total footprint is provided in both pounds of carbon and in acres. Visit here:  http://coolcongregations.com/

Carbon Fast for Lent

Follow your own Carbon Fast, or choose from this calendar of suggested daily actions.
As you lay aside the calendar each day, do so with a prayer.
From Washington Interfaith Power & Light (WAIPL) Find Carbon Fast pdf document here

Web of Creation

The Web of Creation was established to foster the movement for personal and social transformation to a just and sustainable world from religious perspectives. To that end, the information at this site will:

  • connect you with ideas, resources and strategies for doing eco-justice

  • inform, inspire, encourage, educate you about eco-justice

  • support you in your efforts to live, work and pray in ways that promote eco-justice

Visit here: http://www.webofcreation.org/

THE WORK OF LOCAL CONGREGATIONS

Congregations Share their Sustainability Initiatives & Resources at Interfaith Green Network Forum on 9/11/2012.

Congregations presenting were:

  • ·         Ascension Catholic Church – Community Garden

  • ·         Euclid Avenue United Methodist Church – Geothermal Heating and Cooling

  • ·         Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church – Garden Ministry

  • ·         First United Church of Oak Park – Professional Energy Audit

  • ·         Good Shepherd Lutheran Church – Green Fair and Eco-Film Fest

  • ·         Grace Lutheran Church and School – Waste Reduction / Recycling

  • ·         St. Giles Family Mass – Community Makes Change Faster

  • ·         Unity Temple – Policy Advocacy

Also see the article about the sustainability forum which was held on September 11, 2012.

Click here to see the slides from the presentations given by the following Congregations on their Sustainability Initiatives:

Good Shepherd Lutheran:

http://www.goodshepherdlc.org/category/sections/sustainability

Oak Park Friends Meeting:

http://www.oakparkfriends.org/the-green-pages.html

Oak Park Temple:

http://www.oakparktemple.com/green.htm

Euclid Avenue United Methodist:

http://www.euclidumc.org/green.htm

First United Church of Oak Park: 

http://www.firstunitedoakpark.com/groups/environmental/