Greening Your Congregation – 40 ideas
Green Building, Grounds and Operations Ideas for Congregations
Lighting Office Operations
1. Form MN Energy Challenge Team!
www.mnenergychallenge.org
2. Sign up for a Free Lighting Audit with the One-Stop
Efficiency Shop to have a complete assessment of where
your congregation can save money and energy with more
efficient lighting, specific recommendations, referrals to
contractors, low cost financing and follow up inspections.
Most congregations can pay for the improvements with 1
year’s worth of energy savings. call Kristen Funk 612-335-
3487. kfunk@mncee.org or Erik J. Ennen, 612-335-5823
eebnen@mncee.org Web site. www.mncee.org/oses.htm
3. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact
fluorescent bulbs. Bulk purchase of of Energy Star
CFLs available at Whole Energy & Hardware Rick Parris,
952-448-7488 www.wholeenergyandhardware.com
4. Switch your exit signs to LED lights. Available
through www.mncee.org/oses.htm and
www.energyfederation.org/ipl/default.php
5. Install motion sensors for lights in bathrooms
6. Monitor your electricity use with the SenseDat Meter
608-251-4355 www.sensedat.com or the Kill A Watt
Meter www.smarthome.com/9034.html
Heating and Cooling
7. Sign up for a comprehensive energy audit for your
building’s heating and cooling systems through Xcel
ConservationWise For $200 a certified Xcel energy auditor
would visit your congregation and assess areas for potential
energy savings both in terms of lighting and heating and cooling.
Low cost financing for energy improvement projects is also
available. Call Xcel Business Solutions 1-800-481-4700 x 5
Email BSC@xcelenergy.com Web - www.xcelenergy.com and
8. Minnesota Retired Engineer Technical Assistance
Program (MN RETAP) provides free energy and waste audits
for congregations using retired engineers 612-624-1300
www.pca.state.mn.us/oea/p2/retap.cfm -
9. Centerpoint Energy energy audits
http://mn.centerpointenergy.com/for_your_business/energy_infor
mation/natural_energy_audit.asp
10. Recommissioning Program, for larger buildings, Martha Hewett
612-335-5865 mhewett@mncee.org
www.mncee.org/frame_es.htm
9. Implement your building efficiency plans.
Resources Compiled by the Alliance for Sustainability, Sean Gosiewski,. 612-331-1099 x 1 sean@afors.org , www.afors.org , p.1
8. Turn off computers & monitors when not in use- See
www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=power_mgt.pr_power
_management
9. Buy recycled toner cartridges - Preferred Cartridges,
Koto Amagashie, Preferred Cartridges 763-424-9280 ,
kamegashie@yahoo.com , www.preferredcartridges.com
10. Recycle office paper & bulletins
www.greenguardian.org
11. Buy 100% Recycled Office Paper through group
purchasing each Spring and Fall with Eureka Recycling
651-222-7678 , www.eurekarecycling.org/bg_coop.cfm
12. Stop receiving Junk Mail and faxes www.reduce.org
13. Ensure proper recycling of used computers and
electronics. www.greenguardian.org , www.reduce.org
Cleaning
14. Switch to non-toxic cleaning products–
Alice’s Wonder Spray, www.greenguardian.com
Restore Products, 612.331.5979 www.restoreproducts.com;
H2 Orange 2 –disinfecting www.h2orange2.com Call Eric
Hagen 608-345-8827. Fundraising www.ourhouseworks.com
Recycling/ Zero Waste/ Composting
Hennepin County Environmental Services Angie
Timmons, 612-348-2477 angie.timmons@co.hennepin.mn.us
www.co.hennepin.mn.us/environment (waste audits)
Eureka! Recycling (waste audits) 651-222-7678
info@eurekarecycling.org www.eurekarecycling.org
Kitchen
15. Discontinue using Styrofoam and Plastic by
using China, recycled paper or biodegradable, cups,
plates, utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, &
garbage bags. www.eurekarecycling.org
www.recycleholics.com , www.seventhgeneration.com
16. Compost food waste & grounds
www.greenguardian.org
17. Use non-phosphorus Dishwasher Soap - 802-658-
3773 www.seventhgeneration.com
18. Purchase Fair Trade Food and Coffee
www.peacecoffee.com , www.equalexchange.com ,
http://landstewardshipproject.org
19. Replace old Refrigerators and Appliances -
determine pay back, financing and schedule for
replacing old coolers and appliances with energy-
star approved appliances www.energystar.gov/
index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations
Landscaping for air & water
quality
20. Replace power mower w electric or reel to reel
21. Avoid use of gas powered leaf blowers or edgers,
especially on ozone alert days
22. Avoid using phosphorus & pesticides on lawns
23. Convert some or all of the lawn to rain gardens
or native plantings
24. Replace exotic plants (buckthorn) with natives
25. Point down spouts away from paved surfaces
26. Sweep sidewalks and parking lots
27. Consider installing on-site storm water retention
system, rain garden, native prairie
Metro Blooms - Becky Rice, (651) 699-2426
becky@metroblooms.org Rain garden Workshops and
technical assistance for Churches doing rain gardens
www.metroblooms.org
MN Green Roofs Council Corrie Zoll, 612-423-2048
corrie@mngreenroofs.org www.mngreenroofs.org
City of Minneapolis Storm Water Management Paul
Chellsen, 612-673-2406 paul.chellsen@ci.minneapolis.mn.us
www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/stormwater/fee/index.asp
Clean Air MN www.mn-ei.org/air
Metro Watershed Partners www.cleanwatermn.org
Renewable Energy
28. Sign up to purchase renewable wind power
from your local utility. State wide programs see
http://www.me3.org/issues/wind/green.html Metro
Congregations can participate in Xcel Energy’s
Windsource Program call 1-800-481-4700 x 5
www.xcelenergy.com –Accreditation with Center
for Resource Solutions http://www.green-e.org See
www.moea.state.mn.us/energy/greenpower.cfm
29. Install solar panel on your building or assist with
a neighborhood solar project. See
www.solarminnesota.org , www.ips-solar.com ,
www.commerce.state.mn.us Energy Info Center
Innovative Power Systems (did the PV solar systems
at St. Joan’s and Temple Israel) Ralph Jacobson, 612-
623-3246 ralphj@ips-solar.com www.ips-solar.com
FreeNeRG (Solar Panel Lease) Gerardo Ruiz, 612-
605-5228 gerardo@freener-g.com Offers the first-of-
its-kind solar electricity leasing opportunity initially
launched to Minneapolis and St. Paul
customers.www.freener-g.com
39. Buy Carbon Offsets - www.carbonfund.org
www.carbonfreedom.org
http://wrc.umn.edu/outreach/carbon/index.html
Resources Compiled by the Alliance for Sustainability, Sean Gosiewski,. 612-331-1099 x 1 sean@afors.org , www.afors.org , p.2
Transportation
30. Organize a walk, bike, carpool to worship day and
participate in the Team Challenge for the Metro Commuter
Challenge in May/June ww.metrotransit.org
31. Organize an alternative commuter fair for church
members to consider alternative ways to get to work.
www.metrocommuterservices.org
32. Get involved with neighborhood planning efforts for
bike and pedestrian friendly, transit oriented development
www.tlcminnesota.org www.designforhealth.net/
33. Encourage members of your congregation to pledge to
buy a more efficient vehicle when they buy their next car
www.fueleconomy.gov , Your congregation will receive a
$100 donation if a member of your congregation buys a
high-quality, used hybrid-electric car through the Alliance
www.allianceforsustainability.net , www.idealauto.org
Practice Eco Driving http://greenslowmovingvehicle.com/
34. Encourage members of your congregation to shop and
dine at local, sustainable independent businesses The
Blue Sky Guide is a wonderful coupon book and
fundraising idea for youth groups – they sell for $20 and
your cause earns $10 - 651-291-1989
www.ecometro.com/twincities/default.aspx Each fall enjoy
Dine Fresh Dine Local - www.dinefreshdinelocal.com
Metro Independent Businesses http://metroiba.org
Capital Improvement Projects
35. When starting a capital improvement project use
architects who know sustainable design
AIA MN www.aia-
mn.org/architecture_environment.cfm##
US Green Building Council
http://chapters.usgbc.org/usgbcmn
Cuningham Group Architecture Brian Tempas, LEED
Certified, 612-379-5543 btempas@cuningham.com
www.cuningham.com/portfolio/worship/index.html
Center for Sustainable Building Research/ U of MN
Viragita Singh 612-625-3447 singh023@tc.umn.edu
www.csbr.umn.edu/sustainability.html MN Sustainable
Building Guide www.csbr.umn.edu/msdg.html
LHB Rick Carter (612) 338-2029 x 6923 www.lhbcorp.com
Fair Trade Purchasing
36. Purchase, use and re-sell fair trade products including
coffee, palm branches, etc. www.peacecoffee.com ,
www.equalexchange.com , www.lcppm.org
37. Encourage use of local/ organic/ sustainable food, &
vegetarian menus for congregational events.
38. Encourage members to support local sustainable
farmers- arrange a food drop off
http://landstewardshipproject.org
 Worship & Ritual Shape Wise Public Policies
Praying with Creation – Lectionary Prayers Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in MN Pastor Mark
Dennis Ormseth, (651) 646-4096 dhotao@mninter.net Peters, 651-224-5499 peters@lcppm.org www.lcppm.org
www.webofcreation.org/Worship/liturgy/praywith State Policy – www.fresh-energy.org
creation.htm www.mnclimatechange.us , www.mepartnership.org ,
A Season of Creation www.jrlc.org www.cleanenergyminnesota.org
For four Sundays in September we celebrate A Midwest Cap & Trade- www.gpisd.net
Season of Creation with Christ. National Policy – www.1sky.org , www.climateprotect.org ,
www.seasonofcreation.com www.ucsusa.org
Support Members to Take Action at Home and at Work
Form an Energy Challenge Team Support families in your congregation to save money and energy and track the
results for your whole congregation. A free organizing tool kit is available on line from
Neely Crane Smith, 612-335-5852 ncranesmith@mncee.org www.mnenergychallenge.org/resources/communitytools/index.php

Waste & Toxicity Reduction Tool Kit for Congregations www.greenguardian.com/c3toolkit

Sean Gosiewski, 612-331-1099 x 1 sean@afors.org www.afors.org This resource was created by Congregations Caring
for Creation (C3) and the Alliance for Sustainability. Information regarding waste and toxicity reduction was provided by
Hennepin County Environmental Services and Community POWER. This resource was created to assist congregations
with implementing a waste and toxicity reduction campaign. The tool kit includes: Introduction: Getting Started
Calendar of Activity Ideas Activity Ideas for Congregations, Adults, Teens and Children Special Event Ideas Tracking
and Evaluation Tools Waste Reduction for Internal Operations
Healthy Homes, Healthy Congregations - Lynne Holman at (612) 230-3211, lynne.holman@mnchurches.org ...
www.mnchurches.org/programs/education/healthyhomes/healthyhomes.html Healthy Legacy, www.healthylegacy.org/
Local Support Networks
Congregations Caring for Creation (C3) www.c3mn.net Down Town Cluster, Metro Clean Energy Resource Teams, Clarence
Chapin 651-695-0982 cachaplin@mac.com
Alliance for Sustainability/ www.afors.org Sustainable Community Action Network www.sustaincommunity.net Sean Gosiewski,
Program Director, 612-331-1099 sean@afors.org Terry Gips, President 612-374-4765 terrr@afor.org
Metro Clean Energy Resource Team- www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org/regions/metro Diana McKeown Metro CERTs Network
Coordinator, The Green Institute 612-278-7125 dmckeown@greeninstitute.org
Lutheran Earth keeping Network – Rev. Dennis Ormseth (651) 646-4096 dhotao@mninter.net
http://www.webofcreation.org/LENS/contactscfc.html
Lutheran Coalition for Public Policy in MN, Pastor Mark Peters, Pat Benson, Creation Care 612-224-5499 www.lcppm.org
Catholic Global Warming Action Team. Pat Benson, 612-224-5499 www.osjspm.org/globalwarming
Additional Resources Congregations Caring for Creation – www.c3mn.net
• Natural Step Framework Trainings – www.afors.org
• Interfaith Power and Light www.theregenerationproject.org , www.interfaithpower.org
• Minnesota Environmental Partnership, www.mepartnership.org MN – Fresh Energy www.fresh-energy.org
• Web of Creation www.webofcreation.org , Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life www.coejl.org
• EPA's energy guide for congregations http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=small_business.sb_congregations
• Earth Ministries – Greening Congregations handbook - http://www.earthministry.org/your_congregation.htm
• Union of Concerned Scientists- www.ucsusa.org Center for a New American Dream –www.newdream.org
• Living Green Expo – www.livinggreenexpo.org , Sustainable Communities Network, www.nextstep.state.mn.us
• Eco Experience www.ecoexpeerience.org Permaculture Collaborative www.permaculturecollaborative.org/
For more information please contact:
Alliance for Sustainability Terry Gips, President, 612-374-4765 terry@afors.org
Sean Gosiewski, Program Dir. 612-331-1099 x 1 sean@afors.org In the Hillel Center at the U of MN 1521 University Ave SE
Minneapolis, MN 55414 www.afors.org

Resources Compiled by the Alliance for Sustainability, Sean Gosiewski,. 612-331-1099 x 1 sean@afors.org , www.afors.org , p.3
 Networking Opportunities Educational Resources
C3 Fall Networking Gathering for Congregations Natural Step Framework Seminars
Sunday. Sept 21 from 2:30pm to 4:00pm - Regularly scheduled seminars - www.afors.org
First Universalist Church,
3400 Dupont Ave. So. Living Green Expo, May www.livinggreen.org
Minneapolis, MN 55408 (everyone welcome!)
Come learn what other communities of faith are doing to care Eco Experience, State Fair www.ecoexperience.org
for God’s Creation Poster www.c3mn.net
Study Courses
Down Town Congregations Cluster - Low Carbon Diet
Metro Clean Energy Resource Teams www.empowermentinstitute.net/lcd
Clarence Chapin 651-695-0982 cachaplin@mac.com - North West Earth Institute www.nwei.org
www.cleanenergyresourceteams.org - Earth Ministries www.earthministry.org
Neighborhood Sustainability Conferences Educational Films
February, 2009 Sean Gosiewski, 612-331-1099 • An Inconvenient Truth www.climatecrisis.net
sean@afors.org www.afors.org • Kilowat Ours www.kilowattours.org
• The Great Warming www.thegreatwarming.com/
• The End of Suburbia www.endofsuburbia.com/
Grant Opportunities
- Alliance/ C3/ Hennepin County Waste Reduction Pilot Projects 612-331-1099 x 1 www.afors.org
- Community Power –www.greenguardian.com/grants
- Minnehaha Creek Watershed District www.minnehahacreek.org
- Mississippi Watershed Management Organization www.mwmo.org
- Hennepin County – $1,000 Native Plant Grants for Restoration and Rain Garden Projects – contact Metro
Blooms www.metroblooms.org
- Free Recycling Bins http://bingrant.org/home.htm
- Climate and Energy Partnerships http://www.nextstep.state.mn.us/res_detail.cfm?id=4041

Form a Creation Care Team in your Congregation www.webofcreation.org

• Many congregations in Minnesota have formed teams to sustain their environmental efforts from year to year. Visit
www.c3mn.net and www.webofcreation.org
• Inform your congregation’s leaders of your interest and commitment, and encourage their involvement.
• Develop a Congregational Action Plan in the area of:
o Worship
o Education – children, youth, adults
o Buildings and Grounds
o Discipleship at Home and Work
o Public Ministry
• Work with the appropriate committees to carry out the Plan.
• Promote your identity as a congregation that cares for creation.
• Meet regularly to follow the Action Plan and to develop new projects.
• Consider a project to benefit the larger community.
• Work to keep the life and activities of the Green Team active

Resources Compiled by the Alliance for Sustainability, Sean Gosiewski,. 612-331-1099 x 1 sean@afors.org , www.afors.org , p.4