When parishioners at The Church of our Saviour talk about looking to “a higher power,” they may not be talking about the Supreme Being, but rather an alternative energy source.
The Secaucus church – built in 1925 from a kit order via a Sears and Roebuck catalogue – became one of the first congregations in the state to announce that it was purchasing “green” electric power after an environmental coalition called Congregations for Clean Air was launched at the State House in Trenton in December.
Such groups have been encouraging religious organizations to use energy from suppliers that they believe are environmentally conscious. Their campaign has reached states where consumers are permitted to choose their own energy supplier.
The Congregrations for Clean Air advocates on a host of environmental issues from a faith-based perspective. It presently includes Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Jewish, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Quaker and Unitarian congregations and their members.
The Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Secaucus, which was named Episcopal Church of the Year in 1999 by its archdiocese in Newark, joined religious groups from across New Jersey last week in calling on consumers to consider a “higher power” when exercising their energy choice for the electricity that flows into their homes.
Several years ago, a member of the Presidents’ Council on Sustainable Development remarked that meaningful changes in our nation’s environmental politics and policies were not apt to occur until the religious communities became engaged in protecting the earth as a commitment of faith.
“At the Church of Our Saviour we strive to respond to the call to be stewards of God’s creation,” said the Rev. Mark Lewis, pastor for the local Episcopal Church, recently. “We welcomed the opportunity to unite with others in the faith expressed in the 24th Psalm that ‘The Earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.'”
Finding a good reason to make the switch
The church, following the lead of the Congregations for Clean Air, has entered into a yearlong agreement with Green Mountain Energy Company, New Jersey’s sole clean energy supplier.
The group has been important in raising awareness about renewable energy, said Suzie Quinn, spokeswoman for Green Mountain Energy.
“The church affiliations are a wonderful network for us,” she said. “Their platform for environmental stewardship is a powerful connection for us.”
Green Mountain does not produce electricity, but sells power from renewable energy sources to about 100,000 customers in California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. As more churches and their members sign up, the demand for clean energy will grow and more wind and solar plants will be built, Quinn said. Green Mountain provides the leading brand of clean electricity in California, Pennsylvania and New Jersey and will soon be in Connecticut. The energy blends offered by the company are dramatically cleaner than the typical electric power, they say.
Don Roberts, treasurer of the Church of Our Saviour, represented the church at the Trenton conference and is leading the campaign to sign up church and community members for clean energy.
“Since energy choice is so new, it requires some explanation,” he said. “It’s like choosing a new long distance phone service. For those who change, Public Service will continue to be responsible for the wires and the delivery of power. Consumers are being given the opportunity to choose where and how the power is generated.”
Green Mountain Energy offers two power blends, both well under the emission average for all electricity generation in New Jersey. Eco Smart, at $0.0565 per kilowatt, is produced almost equally with natural gas and large hydroelectric generators, with one per cent derived from new renewable energy sources. Enviro Blend, at $0.0655 per kilowatt, derives half its power from large hydroelectric and half from renewable sources (wind, solar, small hydroelectric and captured methane gas).
“We would like to assist anyone who is interested it taking a positive step toward building a market for clean energy to join us in our effort,” said Pastor Lewis. “Leave a message on our church phone [863-1449] and we’ll get back to you to help you sign up.”
“We hope that everyone takes the time to consider a switch to Green Mountain for electric supply when their electric bills comes this month,” said Roberts. “Eco Smart is very competitive in price. The environmentally elite Enviro Blend would cost more. What’s at stake is the air we breathe.”
“We think it’s important for our church to take the lead in promoting environmental stewardship,” said Pastor Lewis. “God entrusted us with this world. It’s up to all of us to treat it well. For too long too many of us gave little thought to the environment. This is a positive way for us all to express our thanks for the world we live in. The goal is to change the way electricity is made and used for the benefit of all.”
Churches exchange vicars for a day
On New Year’s Day, a “concordat,” or agreement, between the Episcopal Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church took effect. It’s not a merger, but rather the culmination of two decades of ecumenical discussion in which two denominations hammered out ways to cooperate in mission and ministry.
To observe the new relationship, The Church of Our Saviour will join with St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in a special celebration on Sunday, Jan. 21. That day, the Rev. Mark Lewis will preach at the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. services at St. Matthew’s while Pastor Will Moser preaches at the 9:30 service at Our Saviour. The Rev Lewis and Pastor Moser will co-celebrate the Eucharist at all services.