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Churches that have DIVESTED from fossil fuels |
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Churches that have divested from fossil fuels
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First Congregational Church, Amherst
In April 2015, this Amherst congregation decided to divest completely from fossil fuel companies, due to moral concerns around the climate crisis. The church’s general ethical investment guidelines already take into account sustainability measures and carbon footprint.
News article: First Congregational Church in Amherst to halt fossil fuel investments, Gazettenet.com, June 16, 2015
- Church of the Covenant, Federated, Boston (UCC/PCUSA)
In the early fall of 2014, Church of the Covenant fully divested from all of its holdings in fossil fuel companies through Trillium Asset Management. On Earth Sunday 2015, celebrated their fully divested status with a creative church service focused on divestment & reinvestment.
Blog post:Church of the Covenant divests & bears witness, macucc.org, May 6, 2015
- First Church in Cambridge, Cambridge
As a result of a cooperative task force between their Green Team and Investments Committee, First Church has developed Sustainability Investment Principles, to be applied every year. This year, they are divesting from one of their more fossil fuel-heavy funds and reinvesting sustainably.
- Hancock United Church of Christ, Lexington
Persuaded that reducing fossil fuel holdings and favoring sustainable energy alternatives was the prudent plan of action, the Permanent Endowment committee voted to limit Hancock’s fossil fuel investments to the extent feasible while continuing to uphold its fiduciary responsibilities.
News post: Hancock has already fully divested from 3 fossil fuel funds!, hancockchurch.org, Sept. 17, 2013
- Eliot Church of Newton, UCC
Eliot Church recently voted on a resolution which stated in part "The Fossil Fuel Divestment Ad Hoc Group proposes that The Eliot Church of Newton, UCC, aspire to divest its financial holdings in fossil fuel companies. We propose that divestment proceed in a gradual and fiscally prudent manner guided by the wisdom of our Investment Committee." The resolution went on to include specific suggestions about ways to increase the portion of our funds that we have divested. This effort is meant to limit the ways their congregation's financial resources are dependent upon the profits of the fossil fuel industry.
More about their commitment to address climate change: http://www.eliotchurch.org/eliot--climate-change.html
- Trinitarian Congregational Church, Warwick
Members voted unanimously to live out their role as stewards of creation and sell their shares in Exxon Mobil Corporation.
News article: Warwick church drops fossil fuel company stock, macucc.org, April 2, 2013
- First Congregational Church UCC, Williamstown
On Nov. 10, 2015, the Church Council of the First Congregational Church elected to divest its $2.3 million endowment from the fossil fuel industry.
News article: First Congregational Church of Williamstown to divest $2.3M endowment from fossil fuels
Churches that have installed solar panels
- South Congregational Church Amherst, UCC
South Church in Amherst has had all of its electricity provided through solar panels since 2013.
News article: Putting faith in renewable energy Amherst church upgrades to solar electricity, Gazettenet.com, June 4, 2013
- West Parish Church in Andover
West Parish Church’s decision to install power generating solar panels is consistent with their goal to be a beacon of sustainability and live in harmony with the environment. In 2015, the church entered into a Power Purchase Agreement with Bright View Energy LLC that included design and installation of solar panels by Sunbug Solar and the purchase from Bright View of the solar generated power over a 15 year term, with an option to purchase the system beginning in year 7.
SunBug Solar designed and installed a photovoltaic system located on the Parish Hall Roof. The 21.84 kW solar array generates 26,300 kWh annually, nearly 56% of the West Parish Church Andover’s annual consumption. Power production over 30 years is estimated at 763,000 kWh. Web monitoring provides continuous monitoring of the system with 24-hour service response to any performance issues. The church has access to the website and is able to use it for community outreach and educational purposes. SunBug has worked with over 600 homeowners, houses of worship, schools and local businesses in Massachusetts and has a great deal of experience in Houses of Worship going solar. Its on-going Solar Power for Faith Communities program is done in partnership with Massachusetts Interfaith Power and Light, the state’s leading organization supporting energy efficiency for faith based organizations. Bright View Energy LLC is a family owned clean energy provider, enabling churches, other non-profit organizations and small scale commercial operations to reduce their carbon footprint and their energy costs. 
South Church in Andover, UCC
South Church has had solar panels on the sanctuary roof since fall of 2012 producing approximately 65,000 kilowatt hours per year of electricity. (Pictured at right)
More: South Church in Andover Green Team webpage
- United Church of Assonet
Photovoltaic solar panels were installed in the fall of 2012 on the Sanctuary roof, producing around 20,000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year. Their future goal, when funding permits, is to install panels on the other third of their roof, then install heat pumps to heat their Fellowship Hall. Presently, all credits of unused electricity are transferred to the pastor.
- Central Square Congregational Church, UCC, Bridgewater
Solar panels have been installed on the parsonage roof, and it generates enough power to cover the electrical demand of the parsonage. They would love to install solar panels on the church roof, but it is in a downtown historic district.
- Edwards Church UCC, Framingham
This small church installed panels through a lease-to-own program of Interfaith Power & Light.
New article: Small Massachusetts UCC achieves large goal of solar panel installation, ucc.org, Jan. 16, 2013
- Pilgrim Congregational Church, Harwichport
In 2015 Pilgrim Church installed 142 solar panels, which should produce 110% of the church's electricity needs. The church intends to donate the excess energy credits to local charitable organizations.
More: Announcement (PDF)
- First Congregational Church in Melrose, UCC
In 2015,installed 360 solar panels atop its roof.
Spotlight: Melrose Church Goes Solar, macucc.org, Sept. 14, 2015
- Eliot Church of Newton
On October 18, 2015 the Eliot Church of Newton voted unanimously to install solar panels on its roof. The goal is to complete the installation by April 2016.
More about their commitment to address climate change: http://www.eliotchurch.org/eliot--climate-change.html
- First Congregational Church, Stoneham
This congregation voted in December 2014 to use their large south roof to generate 100 percent of its electricity for the church and school. After a series of open meetings, they decided to have 108 voltaic panels installed. The Rev. Meredith Allen, First Church pastor, said: “When we make baptismal promises on behalf of our children, we pledge to provide a community for them where they can grow up loved and healthy. We keep the integrity of those promises as we take steps to reduce carbon emissions that damage our Earth.”
News article: http://stoneham.wickedlocal.com/article/20151214/NEWS/151218213
- Townsend Congregational Church, UCC
In August of 2013 the Townsend Congregational Church installed solar panels on the roof of their Fellowship Hall. They worked with SunBug Solar on this project and were extremely happy with the experience.
Churches that have taken other initiatives
- West Parish Church, Andover - PERMACULTURE GARDEN
The church announced in fall, 2015, plans to become one of the first churches in the nation to create a permaculture garden. “The West Parish Church permaculture garden will demonstrate our potential as a faith community to positively impact our world and the environment,” said the Rev. Mark Seifried, interim senior minister. “The garden will be a shining example of community and sustainability in the town of Andover, in the United Church of Christ and beyond.” The project will be under the guidance of Ryan Harb, a food system specialist, permaculture designer and 2008 Andover High School graduate. The article below describes more details about permaculture gardens.
News article: West Parish Church to build permaculture garden, Eagle-Tribune, Oct. 20, 2015 -
Christ United Church, Lowell - GREEN SUMMIT
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Brighton-Allston Congregational Church, Boston - GREEN SUMMER CAMP
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Tewksbury Congregational Church, Tewksbury - ZERO WASTE DAY
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First Congregational Church of Natick, Natick - ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION SUNDAYS
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