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Green Houses of Worship

Level One

Celebrate

  1. Devote at least one worship service annually to environmental stewardship – visit our worship resources for more info.
  2. Participate in IREJN’s Earth Prayers for Earth Day Weekend 
  3. Develop a course of study based on your sacred texts that highlights the importance of stewardship of the earth.

Educate

  1. Form a “Green Team” in your community.
  2. Show environmental films – start with this list for IREJN-curated films.
  3. Add Green elements to youth group curriculums. 
  4. Include a “Green” column in your newsletters, bulletins, or social media postings – sign up for IREJN’s newsletter.
  5. Run a weatherization campaign for individuals through the Home Energy Solutions program with Energize CT or your municipal utility. Your house of worship can earn $1,000 grant if 25% of the households in your religious community participate in energy efficiency programs. 
  6. Participate in IREJN’s Home Energy Assessment Competition with your house of worship.
  7. Invite environmentally-focused speakers to present at your house of worship.
  8. Make environmental resources available to members of your house of worship.
  9. Add environmental children’s books to your religious community’s library.
  10. Plant a pollinator garden and become part of the Pollinator Pathway. Teach about the importance of organic lawn care, native plants, and land conservation.

Reduce

  1. Keep radiators/heating ducts/refrigerator coils clean.
  2. Recycle paper/bottles/cans.
  3. Put office machines on power strips and unplug rarely used appliances
  4. Reduce hot water temperature to 120 degrees
  5. Use low impact paper products.
  6. Install a refillable water station to conserve water

Connect & Advocate

  1. Sign up for the I Care about Climate and Creation Postcard Campaign to send postcards urging decisionmakers to protect the climate and public health.
  2. Share information through announcements in worship, newsletters, and social media.
  3. Host discussion groups on how the legislative process in your state works and how to find your representatives and their voting record. Help people find their legislator.
  4. Attend IREJN’s annual webinar environmental legislation in the CT legislative session.
  5. Connect with other environmental organizations that work on environmental policy, like Clean Water Action, CT League of Conservation Voters, and Citizens Campaign for the Environment.
  6. Attend IREJN’s Legislative Breakfast at the the State Capitol Building in Hartford
  7. Join IREJN!