Ecology joins theology in houses of worship

By Liz Barry

Published: February 21, 2008

Last year, Agudath Sholom Synagogue on Langhorne Road replaced its incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescents.

The light bulb switch was orchestrated by the synagogue’s environmental committee, “Keepers of the Earth,” or “Shomri Olam” in Hebrew. It was one small step toward a giant goal: reversing global climate change.

Religious organizations in Lynchburg and across the nation are mobilizing in the name of Mother Earth.

First Christian Church on Rivermont Avenue has joined the effort. This year, it launched the “Green Team,” an extension of its already active environmental committee, the “Earth Keepers.”

“We’re putting more emphasis on the Earth and how to take care of it in all the different committees and parts of the church,” said Lou Gregory, founder of the Green Team.

Eco faith
On a national level, Interfaith Power and Light, based in San Francisco, has spearheaded efforts to use religion to respond to global warming by promoting renewable energy and conservation.

“Our message is the one that seems to resonate with just about every mainstream faith group, which is that we have a moral responsibility, an imperative to care for God’s creation and for the Earth,” said Susan Stephenson, executive director of Interfaith Power and Light.

When it started in 1998, Interfaith Power and Light was a small program for Episcopal churches in California and Massachusetts.

Today, Interfaith Power and Light is a national movement that spans 26 states, including Virginia. And the momentum is growing. Stephenson fields calls every week from religious leaders wanting to start green initiatives in their own communities.

“This is a global problem,” Stephenson said. “I think people like to see that there is common ground among religions in a time where there is a lot of religious strife.”

Keepers of the Earth
Founded just over a year ago, Keepers of the Earth at Agudath Sholom has about a dozen members. Its initiatives range from using recycled paper products in the bathrooms to organizing a large-scale energy audit.

The energy audit highlighted how the synagogue uses energy and what it can do to conserve. In response, Agudath Sholom has made long-term plans to replace the furnace with a more energy efficient model.

“It will be more expensive at first, but will save money and energy in the long term,” said Karen Warren, a co-chair of Keepers of the Earth.

Warren, who teaches environmental studies at Randolph College, said that not only is environmental conservation pragmatic, it is also aligned with the teachings of the Torah.

“I think a lot of faith-based communities are recognizing that it’s actually inline with their faith to take care of the Earth,” Warren said.

Rosel Schewel, a founder of the Keepers of the Earth, emphasizes that going green is also a justice issue.

“The big message of our faith is justice for everyone,” Schewel said. “And the environment affects a lot of people now in a very negative way.”

The Green Team
Three years ago, First Christian started the Earth Keepers to raise environmental awareness within the church and to provide community outreach programs. In January, the group launched the Green Team to expand these efforts.

Gregory, chair of Earth Keepers, said that protecting the environment is a moral calling.

“It’s our feeling that churches are mandated to be in the middle of helping to protect the environment and creation,” she said.

To that end, First Christian has taken measures similar to those of Agudath Sholom, such as using energy efficient light bulbs and recyclable products at church gatherings.

Community outreach has also been a priority. In the fall, First Christian supported local agriculture through a partnership that allowed a Central Virginia group, Horse and Buggy Produce, to sell produce out of First Christian’s parking lot.

The Green Team, which is in its early stages, will build on the efforts of the past three years.

“We are seeking to put as many Earth-friendly practices into our everyday lives as possible,” said Lou Gregory, chair of Earth Keepers.

Since religion reaches a majority of Americans and appeals to deep-seated values, Stephenson believes it has the potential to be major catalyst for environmental change.

“We must begin with the recognition that our current consumption pattern and what we’re doing to our environment is not consistent to our values,” she said.