Georgia Mountain Unitarian Universalist Church Reflects on Their Four Directions Fund Grant
In 2017, GIPL was pleased to provide a seed grant through our Four Directions Fund to Georgia Mountain Unitarian Universalist Church. One of ten grant recipients, Georgia Mountain UUC has a vibrant Green ministry that engages people within and beyond the four walls of the church. This past year, the congregation collaborated with several local organizations to tackle an environmental issue close to their hearts. Continue reading
Holy Comforter Episcopal Church Receives a GIPL Energy Efficiency Grant to Upgrade Lighting to LED
Holy Comforter Episcopal Church has been a GIPL partner for over a decade, and received a pre-Power Wise energy audit in November 2007. The audit was conducted by Shane Totten of Southface and Woody Bartlett, GIPL co-founder. They were a former recipient of the GIPPY Trailblazer award. Holy Comforter applied for their first GIPL matching grant in 2009 and received $1,134 to upgrade T-12 fluorescent lights in the Parish Hall to T-5 fluorescents. This year, they applied for funding to upgrade their sanctuary lighting from 200 watt incandescent lights to 7 watt LED. The incandescent lights cost $770 annually to operate while the LED cost $32 annually. In addition, they will upgrade all their exit signs to LED. The grants committee recognized the merits of their grant application. The committee awarded Holy Comforter Episcopal Church $4,432 to help fund these energy conservation measures from their energy audit. Continue reading
Celebrating a Green Field Day
GIPL partner, Roswell Community Masjid, celebrated a Green Field Day on April 28th as a part of their larger Earth Day celebrations. The event was open to the community and promoted sustainability through recycling and providing reusable water bottles. We are grateful for this reflection from RCM member Lubna Merchant:
We have been taught to believe that “If a Muslim plants a tree or sow’s seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, it is regarded as a charitable gift (sadaqah) for him.” (Bukhari) Continue reading
Guardians of Gaia Reflects on their Four Directions Fund Grant
In 2017, GIPL was pleased to provide a seed grant through our Four Directions Fund to the founders of Guardians of Gaia. One of ten grant recipients, Guardians of Gaia is a theatrical show infused with music and multi-media which combine to convey a powerful environmental message. It was conceived, co-written, directed and produced by Angela Bennett of Roots Productions, and was co-written and originally performed by The Pacha Mamas. Continue reading
St. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School Receives a GIPL Grant
Congratulations to St. Peter Claver Regional Catholic School in Decatur for receiving a GIPL Energy Efficiency Matching Grant! This Catholic school is one of 11 members the Catholic Pilot Project. The “Laudato Si’ Action Plan Pilot Project,” came to life when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta decided to run a pilot project to support this group of parishes and schools in making environmental improvements. “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home” is Pope Francis’ encyclical about caring for the earth and each other. Continue reading
Christ Our Hope Catholic Church Receives a GIPL Grant
Christ Our Hope Catholic Church in Lithonia is one of 11 members the Catholic Pilot Project. This project, whose full name is the “Laudato Si’ Action Plan Pilot Project,” came to life when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta decided to run a pilot project to support this group of parishes and schools in making environmental improvements. “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home” is Pope Francis’ encyclical about caring for the earth and each other. Continue reading
Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church Receives GIPL Energy Efficiency Grant
Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church has received another matching grant from GIPL! Having completed a Power Wise energy audit in 2014, this congregation has been committed to increasing energy efficiencies around their church. During the 2014 grant cycle they received $2,705 to install WiFi thermostats and upgrade pendant incandescent flood lights to LED in their sanctuary. Estimated annual energy savings were about $2,800 just from installing the WiFi thermostats. Although not documented, both projects led to reduced energy use and cost savings following their installation. With life spans of 25,000 hours, labor costs were also reduced by replacing incandescent floodlights in the sanctuary with LED bulbs. Continue reading
St. Mary’s Catholic Church and School in Rome Receive GIPL Grants
St. Mary’s Catholic Church and St. Mary’s Catholic School in Rome are two of 11 members of the Catholic Pilot Project. This project, whose full name is the “Laudato Si’ Action Plan Pilot Project,” came to life when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta decided to run a pilot project to support this group of parishes and schools in making environmental improvements. “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home” is Pope Francis’ encyclical about caring for the earth and each other.
Riverstone Church Receives a GIPL Grant
Riverstone Church Improves Sanctuary Lighting with LED
Riverstone Church of Kennesaw completed a Power Wise energy audit in 2017 which included energy conservation measures (ECMs) for LED lighting upgrades and WiFi thermostats. The 48,500-square foot facility’s annual energy savings could reach $11,055 should all ECMs be implemented. During this grant cycle, the church applied for their first GIPL grant to upgrade their sanctuary can lights with LED. They requested $6,108 (full cost $12,216) to replace 108 existing 250 watt incandescent lamps in the church sanctuary with 108 26 watt LED lamps, which will have an estimated $3,270 annual energy savings. The grants committee viewed the project favorably at their December 7, 2017 meeting and awarded the church their full request. Reverend Kate McGregor Mosley and Codi Norred from GIPL presented the award check to church leadership on February 1, 2018.
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church Receives a GIPL Grant
St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Kennesaw is one of 11 members the Catholic Pilot Project. This project, whose full name is the “Laudato Si’ Action Plan Pilot Project,” came to life when the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Atlanta decided to run a pilot project to support this group of parishes and schools in making environmental improvements. “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our Common Home” is Pope Francis’ encyclical about caring for the earth and each other.
