What is our response, as people from faith communities, to the challenges of climate change and racial injustice? Individually, our houses of worship have already begun to highlight a path to a renewable future. Together, we can do much more! 

Project highlights

In 2022, the Capital Area Chapter (CAC) raised funds for a solar installation at the South Side Community Coalition. The array was installed in the spring and celebrated on Earth Day! Read more about that project here. In 2023, the group raised money to fund the installation of a solar array for an all-electric home in a new affordable housing development not far from the South Side Community Coalition. 

In 2025, volunteers with the CAC completed phase two of the Attwood Park pocket forest project, planting 28 trees (provided by Lansing Parks and Recreation Department) under the leadership of Forestry Supervisor Irene Cahill and cooperation with Peoples Church Earth Stewardship Committee, Lansing's Forestry Service and the city's Operations and Maintenance Department. Volunteers also performed major upkeep on the 20 trees (all are doing well) planted earlier this year during phase one of the pocket forest, located in the south Lansing 25-acre park. Over the past two years, the MIIPL sponsored event in Lansing has seen the area's canopy grow by over 200 total trees within two city parks.

Each month, CAC joins Hope For Creation for Calling for Climate Justice, a virtual action event where community members spend 30 minutes contacting their elected officials about key climate justice issues. Join them the first Tuesday of each month - register here. 

Members of congregations from the Lansing area are joining together to promote transformative climate action in our community. The Capital Area Chapter's efforts currently involve members from:

• Presbyterian Church of Okemos
• Haslett Community Church UCC, Edgewood United Church (E. Lansing)
• Islamic Center of East Lansing
• First Presbyterian Church of Lansing
• Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing
• All Saints Episcopal Church (E. Lansing), University Lutheran Church (E. Lansing)
• Kehillat Israel (Lansing)
• Community of Christ (Lansing)
• People's Church (E. Lansing)
• Faith Lutheran (Okemos)
• Charlotte Congregational UCC

New Intern for the Capital Area Chapter! 

Hello everyone! My name is Viktoria Petkovich, and I am the new intern at Michigan Interfaith Power & Light. I am currently a student at Michigan State University, and I’m a political science major on a pre-law track. I’m an Orthodox Christian and a member of the St. Stevan Decanski Orthodox Church congregation in the Metro-Detroit area, which is where I’m from.

The Church has been a central part of my life since my childhood, and my faith has guided me through every stage of life, strengthening my connection over time. I’m excited to explore the relationship between religion and climate justice, and the importance of connecting one’s faith with care for the natural world that inspires advocacy organizations like IPL. I look forward to working with Michigan IPL and connecting with the community.

I'm going to be working with Michigan IPL and the Capital Area Chapter as a communications and outreach intern, collaborating with MSU and the surrounding East Lansing community to increase advocacy and engagement!