This blog complements “Solar Spirit” – 50 Religious Groups Practicing Creation Care with Solar Panels, posted March 6.
Creation Care merges faith with proactive solutions to protect God’s creation. Next week, the season of Lent begins for millions of faithful people around the world. To mirror the 40 days of Lent, here are 40 churches, religious schools and faith-based organizations around the world that are putting their faith to work by promoting wind energy.
1. St. Croix Reformed Church (Kingshill, Virgin Islands)
2. St. Thomas Episcopal Church (Springdale, Arkansas)
3. Portsmouth Abbey School (Portsmouth, Rhode Island)
4. Dalehead Church (Lancashire, England, United Kingdom)
5. Luther College (Decorah, Iowa)
6. Gäwa Christian School, (Elcho Island, Northern Territory, Australia)
7. Notre Dame (Notre Dame, Indiana)
“Our intention was to use this project as a stepping stone to additional sustainability initiatives in on-campus energy,” said Anthony Serianni, professor of chemistry and biochemistry and the coordinator for the College of Science Committee on Sustainability (COSCOS). Credit: Notre Dame
8. Holy Name of Jesus High School (Windsor, Ontario, Canada)
9. Wounded Knee Church of God (Wounded Knee, South Dakota)
10. Holy Name Central Catholic Junior Senior High School (Worcester, Massachusetts)
11. St. Mary Catholic School (Huntsville, Ontario, Canada)
12. Catholic University of America (Washington, DC) – Wind Power Purchase Agreement
“We are committed to improving the environment through the use of green technologies such as cost-efficient wind power,” said The Very Rev. David M. O’Connell, C.M., president of Catholic University. “And we hope our students reap the additional benefits of greater awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship.” Credit: Catholic University of America
13. Australian Catholic University (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
17. St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School (Barrie, Ontario, Canada)
18. Lutheran Church of Hope (West Des Moines, Iowa)
19. Taylor University (Upland, Indiana)
20. Blessed Cardinal Newman Catholic School (Toronto, Ontario, Canada)
The exponential increase in school participation and certification is “a reflection of how committed board employees are towards the concept of stewardship of God’s gifts,” indicates Grant Ranalli, co-chair of the board’s Social Ecological Responsibility in Education (SERE) committee and Lifetime Achievement Award winner at this year’s Environmentalist of the Year Awards Celebration. Credit: Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
21. American University (Washington, DC) – Wind Energy Credits
22. St. Mary’s High School (Kitchener, Ontario, Canada)
Andy Hanta a teacher at St Mary High School with one of the wind turbines installed at the Whitney Ave school. The Hamilton Catholic School board is installing 7 of these turbines at schools to offset energy costs. St Mary also has this smaller experimental turbine on their property. Credit: TheSpec.com
23. Nora Unitarian Universalist Church (Hanska, Minnesota)
“We want to be good stewards of our environment. We’re trying to become more green-oriented and leave less of a carbon footprint. We think it’s the right thing to do.” Darrell Hinsman, Nora Social Justice Committee. Credit: Mankato Free Press. Photo Credit: Nora Unitarian Universalist Church.
25. St. Mary’s Catholic School (Collingwood, Ontario, Canada)
26. Wayland Baptist University (Plainview, Texas)
Credit: Wayland Baptist University Alumni Association
27. Harvard (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
28. Richland Chapel United Methodist Church (Converse, Indiana)
Carolyn Mikesell, pastor of Richland Chapel, is in tune with the changes, not just with saving-money but with a theological emphasis upon ecology as good stewards. During a recent interview at the church, she said, “We have to wake up… I feel a great need for us to take care of the earth in the way God intended for us to do. As a pastor, it is my responsibility to pass my (ecological) concerns on to the congregation about taking care of the earth. We are destroying what God has given to us to take care of.” Credit: Indiana Conference, United Methodist Church
29. Valley Baptist Church (Oswego, Illinois)
30. Bishop Tonnos Catholic Secondary School (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada)
“We often talk about the witness of our teachers and staff,” reflects Chairperson Patrick J. Daly. “Our achievements of the past several years and particularly this year in caring for the environment are a clear indication of the vision, leadership and goodness of our administrators, principals, teachers and staff who live their faith in attitude as much as action.” Credit: Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
31. Messiah College (Grantham, Pennsylvania) – Wind Power Purchase Agreement
32. Cross Community Church of the Nazarene (Portage, Michigan)
33. St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church (Grand Rapids, Michigan)
“The Catholic Church in general is very committed to creating a sustainable society,” Father Mark Przybysz says. “Pope Benedict XVI is called the ‘green pope’ because he has put several solar panels on Vatican buildings. I’m hoping that the children and the adults will see this wind turbine at work and that it causes them to think in new ways. There’s always some creative new way to take care of God’s creation, and this is one way. It can make a difference.” Credit: Rapid Growth Media. Photo Credit: Cascade Renewable Energy (turbine photo is representative of the one installed at St. Anthony's)
34. St. Peter the Apostle Catholic School (Parry Sound, Ontario, Canada)
35. First Unitarian Universalist Congregation (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
36. Jackson Christian Middle School (Jackson, Michigan)
37. St. Patrick’s Missionary Society (Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow, Ireland)
38. Evangelical Lutheran Church in North Germany (Rostock, Mecklenburg, Germany)
39. Sau Mau Ping Catholic Primary School (Hong Kong, China)
40. Baldwin Wallace University (Berea, Ohio)
Editors note: So…we found more than 40 religious groups practicing Creation Care with wind turbines. And it’s got us feeling charitable – so here are a few extra, for free!
41. St. Michael Indian School (St. Michaels, Arizona)
42. Franciscan Earth Literacy Center (Tiffin, Ohio)
43. Learning and Spirit Lodge (Busby, Montana)
44. St. Francis University (Loretto, Pennsylvania)
“We try to follow the example of the love for our environment that was shown by our patron, Saint Francis of Assisi,” said University President Gabriel Zeis, at the turbine's blessing and dedication. “The wind turbine will serve as another visible reminder of our mission to be good stewards, in this case a steward of energy resources.” Credit: St. Francis University
45. Goshen College (Goshen, Indiana) – Green Power Program
“We did that because we are very concerned about life on this planet, it was one more way we can care for the world and it was part of our broader ecological stewardship commitment,” Goshen College President Jim Brenneman said. “Goshen College, like the Mennonite Church which we are a part of, has always been committed to being global citizens.
46. St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic High School (Vaughan, Ontario, Canada)
47. Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School (Honey Harbour, Ontario, Canada)
48. Cathedral High School (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada)
“It’s important to engage students in learning that will enable them to develop the knowledge, skills, perspectives and practices that they need to be active, environmentally responsible citizens,” says Chairperson Patrick J. Daly. “It’s about shaping attitudes early so our students can make changes in their lifestyle that will be healthier and more sustainable for our environment and natural world.” Credit: Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board
49. St. Thomas More High School (Kingston, Ontario, Canada)
If you know of any religious organizations we’ve missed that are using wind turbines, please post them in the comment section below!
And be sure to check out these organizations that promote creation care:
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