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How to Kick-off A Green Team

  • Constructive Strategies to develop a Green Team and set realistic goals and strategies.
  • Who’s in the room?
  • 3 areas we plan to cover
    1. Why a Green Team?
    2. About the Money.
    3. Resources.
  • 1:30 to 2:45 “Info Dump”

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An Orientation on UMC Stance on Climate

  • www.umcjustice.org

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  • www.umcjustice.org/what-we-care-about/environmental-justice

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  • www.umcjustice.org/what-we-care-about/environmental-justice/climate-justice

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  • www.umcjustice.org/who-we-are/social-principles-and-resolutions/energy-policy-statement-1001
  • Energy Policy Statement, 2016 Book of Resolutions, #1001

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EarthKeepers

  • www.umcmission.org/EarthKeepers/

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  • The next EarthKeepers training events will be held Oct. 5-8, 2023
    • One in Atlanta and one in Colorado, location to be determined.

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Mt Sky Conference – Creation Justice

  • www.mtnskyumc.org/creation-justice

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Mt Sky�Creation�Justice�Working �Groups

  • creationjustice@mtnskyumc.org

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Local Church Engagement

  • www.mtnskyumc.org/local-church-engagement

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  • The categories include Worship, Discipleship, Stewardship, Evangelism and Mission

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Local Church Engagement

  • www.mtnskyumc.org/local-church-engagement

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Petition: Creation of Green Teams

  • https://www.mtnskyumc.org/files/websites/mountain/MSC+102+-+Creation+of+Green+Teams.pdf

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Click here to view the Creation Care Church Initiative (A template and starting place!)

  • https://drive.google.com/file/d/18XVqB-0ebPzs5rKZ-meL8Ndo2C_MN-6C/view

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Click here to view How to Start a Green Team at Your Church

  • AKA: Environmental Stewardship Team, or Creation Care Committee
  • https://www.mtnskyumc.org/green-teams

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Case Studies

  • Missoula First UMC
    • Develops and Signs their Climate Covenant
  • Mountain View UMC in Boulder (Mary Beth Downing)
    • Has reduced their carbon footprint by 40% and is preventing approximately 70 tons of emissions from entering the atmosphere annually
  • Christ United Methodist Church, Salt Lake City
    • Incandescent for LED light bulb exchange
    • First Church in Utah to install Solar Panels
    • Installed EV charging station in the church parking lot

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Case Studies

  • Arvada UMC (Rev. Sharon McCormick)
    • LED lights, solar panels, and such
    • Waste Station: compost, recycle and land fill, including regular education
    • Worship: Earth Day, EV Cars and Bikes on Display, and other Ed. Materials
    • Green Vision Statement with Leadership Approval
    • A program day at VBS

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Treasure Map for Worship Facilities

  • www.energystar.gov/sites/default/files/tools/TreasureHunt_Checklist_WorshipFacilities_2022_update.pdf

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Portfolio Manager

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Inflation Reduction Act Grants

  • The Department of Energy, “Energy Efficiency Materials Pilot Program” will award grants to help nonprofits, including churches, improve the energy efficiency of their facilities.
  • Goals
    • Benchmark Utility Cost and Savings
    • Reduce Operating Cost and Energy Usage
    • Provide Grants to Churches/Non-Profits for projects that reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiencies
  • Look for Webinars, Zoom Meetings, Emails and Website Post

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Next Steps for Dept of Energy Grants

  • Form a Green Team
  • Start Using Portfolio Manager
  • Work with local churches
  • Identify Prime Bidder
    • Complete Sub Prime Documentation
    • Keep in communication
  • Pray

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Other Financial Resources

  • Grants
    • Methodist Helping Methodist - https://mhmfn.org/
  • Federal Income Tax Credits and Incentives for Energy Efficiency
    • https://www.energystar.gov/about/federal_tax_credits
  • Utility Rebate Programs
    • Home Energy Rebate Programs - https://www.energy.gov/scep/home-energy-rebate-programs
    • Local Utility Rebate Programs

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Example

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Resources

  • Website - Creation Justice
    • https://www.mtnskyumc.org/creation-justice
  • Email
    • creationjustice@mtnskyumc.org
    • Subscribe to Creation Justice Email Updates
      • https://www.mtnskyumc.org/creation-justice-communications
  • Events & Webinars
    • Mountain Sky Conference Creation Justice Task Force meetings at 6:30 pm (MT) on the third Thursday of each month.
    • Western Jurisdiction Creation Justice Meeting
    • Recent Webinar Recordings

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Resources - continued

  • Global Ministries Earthkeepers
    • https://umcmission.org/EarthKeepers/
  • Solutions-Based Resources
    • https://drawdown.org/
  • Worship Resources
    • umcreationjustice.org/worship
    • https://www.creationjustice.org/resources.html
    • https://www.mtnskyumc.org/creation-justice-communications

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Resources - continued

  • VBS Resources (Courtney Randell)
  • UMC Creation Justice Resource Library
    • https://umcreationjustice.org/library/
  • Films and Documentaries
    • https://www.mtnskyumc.org/creation-justice-communications

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Recap

  • Pray
  • Get a team started with yourself and one other, they don’t have to be a church member (outreach)
    • For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Mat 18:20 KLV
    • Form a Green Team
  • Vote for Petition to encourage Green Team Formation
  • Do something small and gain momentum such as LED light bulb swaps

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Recap – IRA Grants

  • Contact your local utility and set up an energy audit . (This will tell you what your efficiency priorities are. These are often free or low cost for non-profits.)
  • Set up your church on the DOE'S PORTFOLIO MANAGER system.
  • Develop your ideas for what an efficiency project would look like at your church. Write a Letter of Intent to begin the process.
  • Sign up with our Creation Justice Task Force at creationjustice@mtnskyumc.org to stay connected to the LOCAL CHURCH ENGAGEMENT subgroup that is leading this evolving work.

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Recap

  • Receive and share communication
  • Meet with Church leadership and Pastor
  • Remember, there is as much as 30% money savings by going green
  • Pray