Local churches join the green revolution
Following in the footsteps of businesses, civic organizations and residents in embracing sustainable practices are the local houses of worship, replacing out incandescent light bulbs for energy efficient alternatives, placing recycling bins outside the assembly room and doing their part to help the environment.
Among the religious organizations to most recently join the effort is the Unitarian Universalist Community Church, which last month completed Sustainable Works’ Business Greening Program.
The free educational program assigns a Sustainable Works staff member to a participating business or organization, pointing out areas in which the entity can improve on its practices, whether it be using compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), fixing leaky faucets or using recycled toilet paper.
The Unitarian Universalist church joined the program in early 2007, first changing half of its light bulbs to CFLs, ordering recycled paper for its office, placing recycling bins throughout its campus and even incorporating green initiatives into weekly sermons. The church also began posting the Big Blue Bus schedules to encourage its congregation to utilize public transportation.
“We have a high consciousness about the earth and preserving it,” Sandra Trutt, co-chair of the church’s Green Sanctuary Committee, said. “As we got more information in the news and elsewhere (about global warming), we knew we were in trouble.”
Trutt, who also serves on the board of directors, pointed to one of the church’s seven principles, stating that its members shall have “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”
The church is also seeking to attain Green Sanctuary status, which is awarded by the main Unitarian Universalist church to member organizations who complete a rigorous list of criteria, including years-long projects on religious education and environmental justice.
Trutt estimates that the church will reach Green Sanctuary status in a few years.
The UU church is the second religious organization in Santa Monica to have completed the Business Greening Program, the first being St. Monica Catholic Community, which underwent the sustainable changes a few years ago.
Susy Holyhead, who heads the Business Greening division at Sustainable Works, said that while she hasn’t seen an influx of churches signing up for the program, she has seen the number of entities overall growing with a waiting list heading into the next fiscal year.
“I’m seeing a trend in every business sector,” Holyhead said.
About 120 businesses and organizations have participated so far, including two churches.
Holyhead likened a church’s needs to that of a business, both being able to incorporate similar sustainable measures, whether it be purchasing non-toxic chemicals or using energy efficient bulbs. One advantage that churches do have over commercial entities is its non-profit status, making them eligible to apply for grants to pay for any environmentally-sound practices.
The changes adopted at St. Monica are similar to the ones seen in many businesses, placing recycling bins across its campus, using non-toxic cleaners and changing light bulbs. In the years prior to the program, the church installed a series of low-flow toilets.
The church also encourages its parishioners to take alternative forms of transportation to services. Its own pastor — Monsignor Lloyd Torgerson — is also trying to lead by example by driving a Toyota Prius.
“We have a concept called stewardship and that is a value for us and stewardship of the earth is one aspect of that overall concept, being responsible and being grateful for the gift that God has given us, ” Mike Mottola, the parish administrator who over-saw the greening of the church, said.
The green initiatives aren’t limited to the two churches that participated in the Business Greening Program. Other religious institutions have sought ways to become more sustainable on their own.
In addition to changing its light bulbs,Beth Shir Sholom is seeking to incorporate green materials when it renovates its temple in a few years. The building, which is located on California Avenue, was built in 1941, according to Brenda Barrie, the executive director.
“We want to be sure we’re as green as possible within the safety regulations,” Barrie said. “We have a sense of responsibility and morality.”
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 17, 2008. Read the original PDF.