Please scroll to the bottom of this page to find Creation Care Season and other resources, as well as grant applications.

The Creation Care Initiative (first known as the Green Grants Initiative when it was launched in 2010) exists to encourage, challenge  and support all the congregations of the diocese as they carry out their responsibility to care for God's creation.  Within this initiative there are three separate programs:  Simple Acts Grants, of $500 to $1,000, which support congregation activities and programs that focus on the environment and conservation and are built on appreciation of and gratitude for blessings; Green Improvement Grants, in amounts up to $10,000, which assist congregations in funding their purchase of energy-saving equipment and supplies; and the proposed Green Loans, a program under development which will enable congregations to make energy-efficient changes to their buildings. 

These programs are supported by individual donations, congregational donations and the Together Now comprehensive fundraising campaign.  To make a gift, visit the donations page and use the drop-down menu to indicate “Green Initiatives,” here.

Simple Acts of Stewardship

• Simple Acts of Stewardship grows out of gratitude for the blessings of God’s creation, and every congregation in the diocese, big or small, can participate, whether its project requires funding or not. 
• Simple Acts supports locally based projects that build a positive connection with the natural world by celebrating creation, conserving natural resources and teaching environmentally responsible practices. 
• Examples include congregations coming together for bulk purchasing of earth-friendly office and hospitality supplies; a children’s gardening project that benefits a local food pantry; or some kind of public policy advocacy effort.
• Some Simple Acts may require financial support; others will cost nothing.  Some projects may save congregations operating expenses; still others might raise funds.  Congregations saving or raising money through their Simple Acts are encouraged to contribute some of their proceeds or savings to the program so that others might take up Simple Acts of their own.
• All Simple Acts involve sharing inspiration and ideas, and the program invites stories and photos that can be shared via the Web.  See “Contact Information” below.
• Simple Acts grants of $500 to $1,000 are available through an application process (see below). 

Green Improvement Grants

• Green Improvement Grants of up to $10,000 help congregations identify, fund and accomplish important energy efficiency improvements to their facilities, such as lighting and window upgrades, weatherization, on-demand hot water systems and replacement of old, inefficient boilers or furnaces.
• SHOW WORKSHOPS:  Green Improvement Grants provide an educational process that includes a property energy audit and Sustainable Houses of Worship (SHOW) workshops conducted by representatives from Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light.  The workshops cover common challenges to energy conservation faced by churches, propose various approaches to addressing these challenges, review project planning and funding practices and provide help in completing the Green Improvement Grants application.  A SHOW workshop is scheduled for Saturday, March 24, 2012, (9 a.m.-1 p.m.) at St. Anne's Church (8 Kirk Street) in Lowell.  Register here.   

Applications are available below for the current granting cycle.  Completed applications are due on or before April 22, 2012.  The grant committee will review applications and award support.  Grant awards will be announced May 15, 2012.

Questions, comments and ideas may be directed to the Rev. Karen Montagno, Director of Congregational Resources and Training, at kmontagno [at] diomass [dot] org or 617-482-4826, ext. 413.

Additional Resources:

Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light:  http://www.mipandl.org/

"God So Loved The World":  A slideshow intended to inspire Christians to connect their faith with the urgent need to tackle global warming.  It is available free of charge and lasts about 25 minutes.  “God So Loved The World” was co-produced by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Dr. Robert A. Jonas and The Canary Project, an organization that produces art and media to deepen public understanding of human-induced climate change and to energize commitment to solutions.  The slideshow is available as a PowerPoint presentation or PDF, with a written script that should be read aloud as the slides are shown.  The slideshow and accompanying script is available at www.holyhunger.org (see Environment section).

Attachment
Simple Acts Grant Application 2012.pdf
Green Improvement Grant Application 2012.pdf
Creation Care Season 2011 Resources.pdf
Green Grants Bulletin Insert 2011.pdf