Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light

Recently we received a letter informing us that Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light was expanding to integrate all of Maryland into their movement.  Are you interested in a religious response to climate change?  Check out what IPL is doing today.

Good morning! Since our founding eight years ago, we have supported religious communities across the DC area in responding to climate change as Greater Washington Interfaith Power & Light. As GWIPL's director, it is already my honor to work every day with over a hundred Maryland congregations and nearly two thousand Marylanders as they study what their scriptures teach about caring for the natural world, undertake energy upgrades and clean energy projects in their buildings, and speak out for policies that advance their vision for a sustainable future and a protected climate. Here's the big news: The time has come to bring the state of Maryland as a whole into the Interfaith Power & Light movement, and we — your neighbor IPL program — have undertaken the sacred work of doing it — together, we hope, with you. Wherever you live in Maryland, if you care about responding as a religious person and in your congregation to the challenge of climate change, we invite you to join us. Over the coming year, we are going to continue our work in the DC area, while undertaking an expansion to serve the rest of the state of Maryland, starting in Baltimore. (Live in or near Baltimore? Save the date for our launch event on Saturday evening November 17th at Notre Dame University.) I'm writing this morning because in order for our grassroots organization to take this leap, we're going to need your help. Can you help us find Maryland's "green sheep"? Sometimes folks feel like the "green sheep" in their communities. Our organization allows them to flock together! If you know a religious person, a religious leader, or an entire congregation somewhere in Maryland who is doing good green work and would welcome some company, please take a moment to forward this email to them, and to share their information with us: program@gwipl.org. Join us to learn. Our Speakers' Bureau brings passionate educators and religious leaders into congregations to offer sermons, discussions, nature walks, and workshops on environmental topics. Many of them regularly speak in Maryland on issues important to you. Which of our diverse speakers would best engage the folks at your congregation? (Suggested honorarium is listed beneath each speaker.) Borrow one of our environmental films to host a screening and discussion at your congregation. If you have a split plate, second collection, or other tithe program through which your congregation supports community organizations, plan to include Interfaith Power & Light on the calendar. We'll be happy to come and share our good work with your community: program@gwipl.org. Join us to go green in your congregation, and at home. Get your community thinking about the connection between religious values and energy use by ordering a set of our light switch reminders — laminated cards which fit over the switch plates in your congregation's building and encourage energy conservation. We have developed versions for ten different faith traditions, and welcome your suggestions for new ones. To order: program@gwipl.org. We can provide personalized consultations with you and with your congregation's environmental committee about how to engage your congregation in learning, going green, and speaking out. Email program@gwipl.org. Join our "Green Leaders Listserv" to share advice, questions, and encouragement with other green team leaders in hundreds of local congregations. Through partnerships with two local energy efficiency organizations — Civic Works' Retrofit Baltimore and Groundswell — we can offer workshops for homeowners in your congregation about saving energy at home, and why it matters. Join us at home energy workshops in Baltimore on October 11th or Bethesda on October 14th, or schedule your own: program@gwipl.org. Join us to speak out. Across Maryland, caring citizens are already speaking out for cleaner air and water. As you may have read in the Washington Post, the faith community was incredibly vocal and active in last year’s effort to bring offshore wind power to Maryland. Over the coming year, you and your congregation will have opportunities to unite with faith communities to win the campaign for clean off-shore wind power in Maryland, and to undertake other critical climate action. I'm grateful for your support of Interfaith Power & Light's work, and am looking forward to working with you in your community! Joelle Novey, Director Interfaith Power & Light (MD.DC.NoVA) P.S. We're looking to hire a Baltimore-based organizer this fall. Know someone who'd be a good fit? Please share this job description with them.