The members, clergy, Altar Guild, and even the sexton of St. Thomas Aquinas Episcopal Church in Jackson Bend, Oklahoma, all agree that a cost-conscious measure has really done its part.
All concur that two white, “Post-It” style notes bearing exhortations to remember to extinguish the lights in the sacristy “when finished,” while having a certain homespun charm, have also made users of the sacristy more aware of green issues within their own homes.
“Just the other night my husband Clarence went into the kitchen for ice cream,” Altar Guild President Jewel Quinlan said. “He left the light on, but since it was a Saturday and I’d been setting up the altar for the next morning at St. Thomas, I thought to remind him of our obligation to look after all of God’s good earth.”
Sighing to herself, she added, “I really feel like I’m making a difference here.”
In light of recent successes in this area, plans are now being drawn up for a men’s room sign entreating patrons to “Jiggle the handle,” to be added next week.