How to get your gathering to go green
- Dec 6, 2016
- 2 min read
The following list contains a modified version of tips that Faith & the Common Good recommends to congregation leaders about going green. As mentioned in the article, many groups usually begin with starting a community garden, using insulation instead of A/C and even installing solar panelling. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow in order to get the planning process started.
1) Show your enthusiasm:
Show people that taking care of the environment is something that you’re passionate about. Start conversations about going green with your congregation members and throw around ideas with them. Once you begin to put the idea in people's heads, they’ll reflect on it and possibly discover that taking care of the environment is something that they care about too.
2) Bring people together:
Take up a leadership position and start a group that meets on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis. There’s power in numbers, and the more people you inspire to join the cause, the more work you can get done on your congregation.
3) Speak to your leader(s):
If you aren’t already the leader of your congregation, get that authority figure in on the group’s planning. You will need their help to ensure that the environment-friendly infrastructure is approved and possibly carried on for years to come.
4) Spread the word:
Make flyers to post in your congregation. Start a Facebook group, event page, or a post on your wall explaining what you’re trying to do. Speak with people after your weekly service or prayer time. Encourage others to engage in the program with you. There’s no such thing as too much help!
6) Educational events:
Invite key figures of the environmental activism community to speak with members of your congregation. Hold these green events once a month, if possible. These events can build interest and answer some of the questions your congregation members can have. The more educated your community becomes, the easier brainstorming is.
7) Completing energy audits:
Faith and the Common Good offers energy audit services. In their words, “energy audits provide the basic information about the potential for more efficient energy use. An audit can range from a simple walk-through, pointing to obvious problems and potential opportunities, to a full engineering study that goes into great detail.”
8) Retrofitting your building:
Retrofitting can make your building more energy efficient. You can do this by caulking doors and windows, insulating your attic and basement, and installing solar panelling.
9) Involving community:
If you have the space, consider starting a community garden. This can be a fruit and vegetable garden, or a green space full of plants. It can bring individuals outside your congregation into your community and possible encourage new membership.
10) Greening your sacred spaces at home:
Bring what you have learned with your congregation back into your own home. Commit to a fully green lifestyle and continue your work outside of your church, mosque, synagogue or group.
Check out this video below to get some ideas for how you may be able to make your building more eco-friendly.
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