News-Record.com

Faith groups in this area increasingly have the desire to reduce the environmental impacts of their buildings and members lifestyles, but they don't necessarily have the know-how.

A new Greensboro organization has stepped up to educate the more than 400 congregations in the city about energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation and other practices. Environmental Stewardship Greensboro (ESG) has met for less than two years but has already accomplished a great deal, most recently creating a "Cool Congregation" certification initiative. The program provides an outline of steps congregations can take to expand environmental awareness and action among members and the wider community. Steps include outdoor worship services, nature walks, use of organic and Fair Trade products, rain barrel installation and carpooling.

In the past, ESG has partnered with the Glenwood Neighborhood Association to purchase rain barrels for residents and organized studies of Thomas Berry's "The Great Work." On Nov. 21, the group will hold its first fundraiser by inviting Walkin' Jim Stoltz to hold a concert at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. (Note: I have attended some of the meetings as a representative of Presbyterian Church of the Covenant.)

For more information about Cool Congregations or the upcoming concert, call Tom Clary at 292-6283 or e-mail Annette Green at AnnetteZG AT hotmail.com; Eric Hoekstra at HoekstraEB AT yahoo.com; or Nelson Stover at StoverN AT bellsouth.net.