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Our faith calls us to care
for one another and all creation. Interfaith Works has created an
innovative program called Sanctuary Exchange where community outreach
and environmental stewardship work hand-in-hand.
Through Sanctuary Exchange,
Interfaith Works links donor organizations with congregations that
serve as the “life-blood” of inner city communities. These
congregations can realize significant financial savings through
energy reducing building upgrades; savings that can be channeled
toward community outreach.
How it works:
- Interfaith
Works identifies congregations that can gain the most from increased
energy efficiency. Criteria include extent of building use, size
and age of building, and level of community outreach.
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An energy audit is provided
to the congregation to document how energy is being used and to
recommend improvements.
- Interfaith
Works funds improvements, which range from lighting replacement
to installation of programmable thermostats to replacement of
boiler systems.
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After upgrades, the congregation realizes energy and financial
savings, leading to decreased reliance on nonrenewable resources
and an increase in dollars available for social mission.
- Energy savings are tracked through utility
bills, showing how an initial investment brings savings year after
year.
As an example, a recent participant in Sanctuary
Exchange was provided funding of approximately $15,000 for building
upgrades. With that investment, the congregation is expected to save
up to $3,200 per year in electricity and gas payments, money that
can be used for vital community programs. That means that the initial
$15,000 will lead to almost $50,000 of benefits over ten years. |
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Wesley
Center A.M.E. Zion, Pittsburgh
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"Interfaith
Works has been a blessing for our congregation. Through them we
were able to make changes which, with a big building and a small
congregation, we would not have been able to do. These changes benefit
not only the congregation, but the community at large, because of
all the services we provide to the neighboring community. We are
already noticing a difference since the insulation and lighting
were installed, and we look forward to seeing further savings on
our utility bills."
Reverend Glenn G. Grayson, Wesley Center AME Zion Church
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