In a year marked by increasing climate disruption, dozens of faith communities from across the nation have received recognition in the 2012 Cool Congregations Challenge sponsored by Interfaith Power & Light, a national organization mobilizing a religious response to global warming. The annual challenge offers religious congregations an opportunity to show leadership in saving energy […]
Cool Challenge 2012 Stories
2012 Winner in Energy Efficiency
A sustainable renovation and restoration project in Madison, Connecticut, brought the Sisters of Mercy the top prize in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation category in the 2012 Cool Congregations Challenge. The Sisters of Mercy recognized that their Mercy Center retreat facilities could no longer meet the Connecticut State Building Code. It could have meant the […]
2012 Winner in Renewable Energy
Solar power has slashed the cost of electricity at Federated Community Church, which meets in a beautiful century-old building in Flagstaff, Arizona. Now the congregation has a national award to show for its energy saving efforts, too. Federated Community Church is the winner of the Renewable Energy category in the 2012 Cool Congregations Challenge. The […]
2012 Winner in Grounds and Water Conservation
Homeless people aren’t simply getting a handout at the free Saturday brunch at University United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas. They also helped the congregation win the national Grounds and Water Conservation award in the 2012 Cool Congregations Challenge. University UMC is an urban church with a number of social justice ministries, including Open Door, […]
2012 Winner in Engaging Congregants and Communities
An interfaith effort to help low-income Mainers save on heating costs has won the 2012 Cool Congregations Challenge award in the Engaging Congregants and Communities category. High heating bills prompted the board at First Universalist Church of Rockland to investigate, and their study showed significant heat loss through the windows. Leaders researched solutions and found […]
