People & Media...

In the modern era, churches are the last place you would expect to find green crusaders. However, the best ready-made group of volunteers might just be found these days at your local church or synagogue. NBC's Today Show recently ran a feature on churches and synagogues going green that shares what some are doing to address the global environmental concerns.

Winning the award for the most hard core environmentalists in the piece were Janet Ryan and the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart, who have turned their 280-acre property into an example of "sustainable living." While many churches are interested in letting the young people take the charge in this area, the sisters, whose median age is 86, have decided they will lead the way. The sisters dug deep enough to install a geothermal unit for heating and cooling, developed wetlands and added prairies.

Rabbi Warren Stone of the Temple Emanuel in Kensington, Md., shared his passion for the issue and concluded with this comment: "More and more people have become aware that this is perhaps the most central more and spiritual issue facing our world today."

The final part of the segment came with a profile on Prestonwood Baptist Church, highlighting what Dr. Jack Graham has done for his church on the topic. The most impressive stat? The church saved more than $1.5 million over the past 18 months with their church on energy issues. Said Dr. Graham, "I believe that many evangelicals, especially young evangelicals, are waking up to the need and looking forward to the future."

If you want to get your local church involved in this issue, the Interfaith Power & Light commission would be a great place to start. This organization offers free energy audits to faith-based organizations, giving a list of recommendations and action points to take to make this a reality in your congregation. Or if your pastor or rabbi is a cynic, give him or her a copy of Saving God's Green Earth, which is a book by Tri Robinson, a pastor who is helping others learn how to implement this value in a local church through his example.

Don't miss out on an opportunity to help your church or synagogue become leaders on this issue by challenging the community and congregants to care for the earth.