Each week, Pilgrim Baptist Church in Detroit provides support to hundreds of community members. They distribute food through their partnership with Forgotten Harvest, offer hot breakfast sandwiches, supply warm coats, and ensure local elementary students have the uniforms they need for school. In all they do, Pilgrim is truly "shining the light" for their community.

"Shining the Light for 99 years" was the theme of Pilgrim Baptist Church's 99-year anniversary celebration in October 2024. Now the church can shine the lights brighter and more efficiently with upgrades made possible by our Sacred Spaces Clean Energy Grant program. Through the program the congregation has saved 58% on energy consumption and nearly $5,000 annually in energy costs.

Rev. Dr. Yvette Griffin is excited about the church's new LED lights and improved air ventilation system.

Michigan IPL is delighted to be working with 11 congregations in Michigan as a part of the Sacred Spaces program. We are pleased to learn more about Trinity Reformed Church through information shared by Co Pastor Benjamin Bruins.

   Grand Rapids's Trinity Reformed Church shows a vision for the future through a recent ordination service and plans for environmentally focused building projects.

Jim Craig wears many hats at Asbury UMC including Church Leadership Team and Chair of the Asbury CDC Board. He was recently able to share with Michigan IPL regarding the ministries and goals for Asbury UMC and the benefit of participating in the Sacred Spaces program.

 Asbury UMC began a sister non-profit organization called Asbury Community Development Corporation, which operates one of the largest urban farms in Michigan, with 17 hoop houses.

St. Luke's Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Saginaw is participating in Sacred Spaces. Pastor Joyce Redfearn shared a little bit about the church and its focus on Creation care with Michigan IPL.

St. Luke's Christian Methodist Episcopal Church invests in children by offering math and reading programs for both elementary and middle school students.

Located in Charleviox, the Greensky Hill Indian UMC is pastored by Jonathan Mays. Pastor Mays was able to share a little bit about his unique church and how the Sacred Spaces program will benefit his congregation's mission and ministry.

Worshippers at Greensky Hill UMC have services in both Anishinaabemowin and English.

Bob Chapman, the Vestry Warden at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Detroit, was able to share with Michigan IPL how his congregation impacts their Detroit community for the better. As an Episcopal/Ecumenical/earth-based congregation, involvement with Sacred Spaces will help St. Peter's achieve their energy justice goals.

As an Episcopal/Ecumenical/earth-based congregation, solar panels are one part of the efforts to protect the environment at St. Peter's Episcopal Church in Detroit.

Rev. Soren Schmidt of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Chassell shares how his congregation is getting inspiration for earth stewardship, and how they ease their fingerprint on the environment. As one of the 11 participants in the Sacred Spaces program, this Michigan congregation is well on its way to achieving its efficiency goals.

Holy Trinity in Chassell, MI describes itself as " A church that actively shares a living, daring, confidence in God’s grace with our community and the world."

Rev. Millard Southern of Allen Chapel AME in Kalamazoo shares how his congregation has overcome challenges and is poised to take proactive steps towards environmental justice. We are thrilled to work with Allen Chapel AME and Rev. Southern as they participate in the Sacred Spaces program.

Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church is the oldest and first AME church in Kalamazoo, founded in 1855.

 The Rev. Dr. Yvette Griffin of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Detroit was recently able to share some of the great things happening at Pilgrim Baptist. Participation in the Sacred Spaces program has offered some new opportunities for this congregation!

 The Rev. Dr. Yvette Griffin of Pilgrim Baptist Church views air quality and environmental issues as critial factors for her Detroit community.

Detroit's  New Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church is a participant in the Sacred Spaces grant. We are glad to hear from Deacon Wilson Moore about the church, and its hopes for sustainable energy options.

New Mount Hermon Missionary Baptist Church: Aubrey Agee and Deacon Wilson Moore Jr.