Each month we're spotlighting the story of one congregation that put their faith values into action by reducing energy waste in their building. We hope these stories and the resources our speakers share will help inspire and equip other congregations to continue their own energy stewardship journeys.
Check this page or sign up for our e-newsletters to learn about upcoming webinars.
Past Energy Stewardship Webinars
Energy Stewardship with Victorious Believers Ministries, 6/8/21
- how the church upgraded their parking lot lighting and in the gymnasium
- how incentives from Consumers Energy assisted in lowering the project cost
- how they are on track to upgrade the lighting in the sanctuary with LEDs
Slides from this webinar can be viewed here.
Energy Stewardship: Applying for Rebates 101, 5/6/21
In order to move Michigan to a cleaner energy future, state energy legislation requires our large utilities to help their customers (at home and in their houses of worship and businesses) reduce their energy waste. Less energy waste means less fossil fuel use, cleaner air, and smaller energy bills. In order to achieve this, utilities including Consumers Energy offer discounts and rebates on energy efficiency products and services.
In this webinar, Mike Olsen, an Energy Advisor with Consumers Energy's Business Energy Efficiency Programs, will walk us through the process-- step-by-step-- of applying for and receiving rebates for energy saving projects at your house of worship.
Slides from this webinar can be viewed here.
Energy Stewardship with Royal Oak First United Methodist Church, 4/13/21
Royal Oak First United Methodist Church is close to finishing a $4.5 million dollar renovation to their historic building. In the course of this renovation, the church worked hard to reduce the building's reliance on fossil fuels through energy efficiency and solar energy while ensuring a healthful indoor environment and taking advantage of utility discounts and rebates. In this webinar, Bob Prud'homme, LEED AP and Coordinator for Creation Care Ministries, shares about how the church:
- worked through challenges and opportunities to get the church leadership on board with a green renovation
- upgraded lighting in their historic sanctuary (built in 1917) and throughout their facilities
- made their boiler plant and air conditioning systems more efficient
- prepared for the installation of a 20 kW solar array
Slides from this webinar can be viewed here.
Energy Stewardship with University Lutheran Church, 3/4/21
Pastor Gary Bunge, and Judy Kindel and Dale Romsos the Earthkeeping Team at University Lutheran Church in East Lansing share how their church put their faith into action by upgrading to LED lighting (which reduced their electricity use by 40%) and installing solar. Overall, ULC is now using 56% less fossil fuels than they were in 2016/17. They also share how incentives from Consumers Energy covered over half of the cost of the lighting upgrade.
This webinar was co-sponsored by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association.
Slides can be viewed here.