In November, Faith Communities Go Green hosted the first local conversation “How to Start a Green Team in Your Congregation”. Panelists from six different congregations shared stories on how they got people together to form a green team. They described their green team accomplishments and provided advice to the audience based on their experiences.
The meeting was exhilarating. Each panelist shared their team’s successes, impressing us all with how small groups of people can do so many wonderful things for the environment.
Key areas of action were identified by the panelists.
- Form your team, even if your first meeting is just two people. The more people you have, the more credibility you have. Determine who the decision makers are in your congregation. Get support and commitment from your congregational decision makers, religious leaders and staff. Use available organizing tools to solicit interest and engage potential team participants. One way to find like-minded individuals is to host a symposium on a current environmental issue.
- Develop educational programming for adults and children by having speakers, film screening discussions, and outings to connect with nature. Conduct an energy audit in the congregation facility and in households. Incorporate recommended upgrades, purchase reusable tableware for events, recycle and compost. Post monthly green actions in the e-bulletin. Host a weekend retreat with workshops on becoming carbon neutral.
- Lobby for policy changes. Visit with legislators, sponsor monthly advocacy actions, become part of a coalition doing this work.
- Bring care for the earth into worship services.
Advice offered: Show people the connections between environmental issues and other issues they might care about, such as refugees or food insecurity. Use the strengths of the people on your team.
The biggest take away was that having a green team in a house of worship enables lay members to influence attitudes and daily behaviors to take better care of our planet for future generations. It was thrilling to hear all the success stories, inspiring us to start a green team in our own houses of worship.
Faith Communities Go Green provides support for faith groups to work together to protect creation. Everyone was invited to complete a survey for their congregation. The 7 question survey helps Faith Communities Go Green understand the needs of the faith community. The survey, upcoming events, the recording of this event and other previous events, can be found at https://greenumbrella.org/faith/