Energy Stewardship and Green Gardening cont.

Georgetown Gospel Chapel
Seattle, WA

The Chapel also saves money and prevents energy waste through the addition of controlled compact and tubular florescent lighting and better insulation and windows, reducing heating and cooling needs, and by investing in many energy efficient appliances over time. By establishing a foundation and remaining dedicated to energy efficiency, the chapel can expect to see benefits for many years to come. Savings each year are estimated at approximately $3,000 to $5,000, not to mention the prevention of 60,000 pounds of CO2 from entering into the atmosphere.

The Chapel first used their financial savings to reimburse the initial costs of the retrofits, and now donates the money to missions projects, to a local Christian camp for their own energy retrofits, and to purchasing materials to help financially-strapped members and neighbors retrofit their own homes. For all of these efficient, creation-conscious efforts, in 1999 the Chapel was the first congregation to receive an EPA Energy Star Award.

The Chapel instituted a rainwater reclamation system, which helps to provide water for the gardens. This saves them money on utility bills and also prevents storm water from running directly into the adjacent, salmon-bearing Duwamish River -- carrying with it chemicals from neighboring lawns and industries, and leaked oil from cars.

Among the many ministries provided by the Chapel, Pastor Hedman offers his skills to the community as a certified master gardener and a composter. He and Chapel members help build gardens for neighbors and provide them with seeds and gardening/composting training. They also host a recreation/tutoring/mentoring program for children and youth -- one that also introduces dozens of young people to basic Earth-care principles and activities.