While there was much to celebrate at the Annual Meeting Recognition Lunch this year, the Environmental Ministries Task Team was very happy to recognize six churches for their tremendous effort around environmental protection and climate justice!  Three churches received the Green Congregation award Level 1, and three churches received Level 2.  The Green Congregation Awards have three levels, and each church chooses from a list of items to qualify for each level.  Many churches have Green Teams that coordinate their efforts, some churches aren’t as formal.  The Level 1 award is a green stole given to the church that the pastor can wear, the Level 2 award is a matching green antependium for the church podium, and Level 3 award is a tree chosen by the church.
 
Churches are also encouraged to think up new and innovative items that their church can accomplish.  This year there were many creative, out of the box ideas.  Federated Church of Orleans constructed a float in the town’s Fourth of July parade that featured solar panels, animals and creation images.  Waquoit Congregational Church in Falmouth founded a spring farmers market and started the Monarch Butterfly Project of Cape Cod.  First Church of Christ in Longmeadow formed the Springfield Area Interfaith Climate Action Network which disseminates information and promotes a call to action.  First Congregational Church in Winchester created a successful Adopt a Light program within the church allowing them to upgrade their existing fixtures.  Edwards Church in Framingham started an earth-centric Sunday School curriculum that focuses on a garden box installed on their property, and started a letter writing campaign to encourage the new mayor of Framingham to have a “sustainability coordinator.”  First Church Natick created their own summer environmental curriculum for children.
 
To start a Green Team in your church, click here to view the guide “How to start a Green Team” written by Patrick Cage and the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas.  
 
Click here to view the Green Congregation brochure. 
 
Click here to view the full Annual Meeting 2018 Green Congregation write-ups.

If you have questions about the Green Congregation process please contact Patti Babcock at babcockp@macucc.org.