Cool Congregations

GIPL has started an exciting new program, Cool Congregations, based on a model developed by Iowa Interfaith Power & Light. Cool Congregations provides a small group based program to help build support and participation within your congregation. Your small group will meet together, evaluate your own carbon footprints, and pledge to reduce emissions. The Cool Congregations program is self-contained, but you may also use it in conjunction with the Empowerment Institute's Low Carbon Diet book (see link at right) to set a framework for challenging members of your congregation to cut their carbon footprint.

If you want to try Cool Congregations in your faith community e-mail or call us for tips and a copy of the Cool Congregations CD. You can also download the Cool Congregations resources below.

The Cool Congregations Program

Introduction to Cool Congregations - This introductory presentation can be used to teach your faith community about the Cool Congregations program. It's available in Powerpoint and pdf format.

Index to the Program - This outline details the contents of the Cool Congregations program and resource CD.

Part A:  Educate Your Congregation
A1. Why Us, Why Now? Theological Justification
A2.  How do we Fare?  The U.S. vs. other nations
A3.   What is a Carbon Footprint?
A4.   DVDs / Videos on Global Warming and the Religious Response
A5.   An Inconvenient Truth Guide to Discussion
A6.   Other Study Guides - a description
A7.   Georgia Interfaith Power & Light Brochure
A8.   GIPL logo
A9.   Iowa Diocesan Newspaper article on the resolution
A10. Iowa Diocesan Resolution on Global Warming
A11. Global Warming and Religious Values
A12. Global Warming Sample Sermons 

Part B:  Invite Your Congregation to Join Cool Congregations
B1.   Join CC / Bulletin Announcement
B2.   Join CC / Bulletin Insert
B3.   Join CC / Flyer
B4.   Join CC / Article by CC Team Leader
B5.  Join CC / Article by Pastor
B6.   Join CC / What to Expect Newsletter Article
B7.   ‘Education Hour’ Cool Congregations Presentation Outline
B8.   Cool Congregations Stewardship Letter
B9.   Small Group Sign Up Sheet

Part C:  Meeting Agendas
C1.   Small Group Mtg #1
C2.   Small Group Mtg #2-Computer Calculations
C3.   Small Group Mtg #2-Manual Calculations
C4.   Small Group Mtg #3-Both Calculations
C5.   Small Group Mtg #4-Year End Calculations-Both Calculations   

Part D:  Calculation Tools / Examples
D1.   Pre-Calculation worksheet
D2.   CC Carbon Calculator-Computer Users
D3.   Carbon Calculator Tutorial for Computer Users
D4.   Atlanta Area Carbon Calculator – Manual Users
D5.   Example CC Carbon Calculator - Manual Users w/Ann's figures
D6.   List of "25 Simple Steps Under $25"
D7.   List of "25 Steps Over $25"
D8.   Ann's Example Pledge Sheet – Computer Users
D9.   CC Pledge Sheet – Manual Users
D10. Ann’s Example Pledge Sheet – Manual Users
D11. Reductions Results / Individual Reporting Form
D12. Reductions Results / Congregational Reporting Form
D13. Comparing Ann's Summers
D14. The Power of 10 (cars example)
D15. Resources / Web sites

Part E.  Ongoing Education / Program Ideas
E1.  Post-calculation Sermon
E2.   Georgia Interfaith Power & Light Educational Offerings
E3.   ‘Education Hour’ Topic Survey
E4.   Fed Tax Credits and Rebates from CFU & MidAmerican
E5.   CFL Newsletter article
E6.   CFL Types and Cost Comparison Chart - Menards
E7.   CFL / Incandescent bulb comparison
E8.   CFL Advent Kit Study Guide
E9.   CFL Hanukkah Kit Study Guide
E10. CFL Holiday Kit sale announcement
E11. CFL Advent Kit Bulletin Insert
E12. CFL Hanukkah Kit Bulletin Insert
E13. CFL Holiday Kit article for local newspaper
E14. LED Holiday light fact sheet
E15. LED Holiday Light Trinity Light Flyer
E16. LED Xmas Light Trinity Light Bulletin Insert
E17. Take Action to Stop Global Warming handout

Part F.  Cool Congregations Images
F1.   CFL
F2.   Footprint
 

Other Simple Actions

Go on a Low Carbon Diet

Check out the Low Carbon Diet, a fantastic workbook and resource for your small groups to use to lose 5000 pounds in just 30 days!

Start Power & Light in Your Congregation

Georgia Interfaith Power & Light works through congregations in Georgia to be stewards of God's creation. Find out how you can join.

Use Less Gasoline

Concerned about rising gasoline prices? The best way to spend less on gas is to use less. Check out our list of tips for conserving gasoline. It's not only nice to your pocketbook, it's good for God's creation!

Possible Action Steps for You and Your Congregation

1. Include care of Creation in your worship and liturgy
2. Switch to compact fluorescent light bulbs
3. Conduct an energy audit of your home and congregational space
4. Learn about the feasibility of solar power in your house of worship
5. Turn off your computer and monitor at night
6. Turn off lights in rooms that are not being used. Where practical, use motion or light sensors to light areas only when needed
7. Use programmable thermostats to only cool or heat areas when they are in use
8. Begin carpooling to worship services and congregational meetings
9. Buy Energy Star appliances
10. Join GIPL!
11. Stop coddling your church's organ
12. Spread the word and add to this list

CO2 Reduction Worksheet

The worksheet will help you to calculate your energy savings. Together we can reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions and energy waste.

Download our global warming energy savings worksheets. They will help you to calculate your personal energy savings - a great way to assess how you can help reduce CO2 emissions and help to preserve our environment.

Want Even More Suggestions?

Check out this guide to Thinking Green.