Going green for God

The Austin American-Statesman shines a spotlight on local churches that are working to become more eco-friendly:

For years, environmentalism has been preached from the pulpit as a form of Christian stewardship. Now, a growing number of Central Texas churches are turning those teachings into action by going green as they expand to accommodate growing congregations.

In San Marcos, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church has bought land for a new church and is weighing options for green construction, including solar panels, rainwater collection systems and concrete floors that would help keep it cool.

“We’re supposed to take care of the Earth, not just take what we can get from it,” said Larry Hanson, chairman of the church’s building committee.

The Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, which includes parts of Central Texas, has set up a Web site explaining how churches can build in environmentally sensitive ways.

The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Dripping Springs recently completed a church that has double-paned, tinted glass – “70 percent of the time, we don’t even have to turn on a light,” said the Rev. Nancy Coon – and a zoned heating and air-conditioning system so the church can heat or cool only the areas that are occupied.

The complete article is under this blog entry on the Daily Green. Episcopal Life Online also covers the article here.

And for more environmental initiatives by Episcopal churches see today’s essay by The Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston at our companion blog, Daily Episcopalian.

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