People of faith across the country are doing their part to prevent global warming in their own homes and places of worship through the Cool Congregations program, and saving hundreds of dollars in the process. Cool Congregations is a stewardship program designed to help congregations engage their members in caring for Creation by reducing their individual greenhouse gas emissions.
National Ohioans for Sustainable Change offers both Certification and a prize money Challenge to exemplary Cool Congregations. The annual Cool Congregation Challenge is a fun and easy way for congregations to compete for recognition and prize money. Deadline is December 15, 2014. Click here for flyer. To learn more about the Cool Congregation Challenge, click here.
OFSC is also excited to announce a new, national recognition program and its first 20 Certified Cool Congregations. These exemplary houses of worship have proven that they are reaching significant carbon pollution reductions in response to global warming that often surpass the U.S. goal of 17% outlined by President Obama in his Climate Action Plan.
Driven by a common mandate to be good stewards of Creation, the first 20 Certified Cool Congregations are averaging 42% greenhouse gas reductions, showing that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Their stories are both practical and hopeful. OFSC president, the Rev. Canon Sally G. Bingham, says, “These congregations are leading the way. They are putting their faith into action and bringing moral responsibility to the forefront of the movement to protect the climate.”
For more information, click here.
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland-a Certified Cool Congregation
First Unitarian Church of Cleveland in Shaker Heights was one of the first 20 to be a Certified Cool Congregation, with a 30% carbon reduction. Congratulations!
Click here to learn more about this congregation’s energy saving activities.
Ohio Congregations win national honors--The 2012 Cool Congregational Challenge Awards
Two Ohio congregations won recognition in the 2012 Cool Congregations Challenge. First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, Shaker Heights, and First English Lutheran Church, Columbus, are among more than three dozen congregations honored this year by Ohioans for Sustainable Change a national organization mobilizing a religious response to global warming.
“A Cool Congregation has a certain infectious can-do spirit as they work to make a concrete environmental benefit. Winners just exude that spirit and inspire us to believe that we will solve climate change and protect Creation, one congregation at a time.”–Susan Stephenson, executive director of OFSC