Upcoming Events

July 16 - Renewal: An Interfaith Call to Action
Join Shomrei Adamah of Greater Washington, DC Green Muslims, Faith at Work, Teva Learning Center, Foundry UMC's Green Mission and Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light to view highlights of the first feature-length documentary to capture the breadth and vitality of America's religious-environmental movement. Witness how individuals and communities driven by their spiritual and religious convictions are called to re-examine what it means to be human and how we live on this planet. Connect, discuss and engage in hands-on actions to carry our vision forward!

When: Wednesday, July 16, 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Where: Foundry United Methodist Church - At the corners of 16th and P Streets in NW in Washington, DC. The church is blocks from the Dupont Circle stop on Metro's Red line and near several bus routes. Street parking is limited and a parking garage is on P St. between 16th and 17th.
Please RVSP to Allison by email

Save the Date: Sunday, September 21 - GWIPL Annual Summit
Connect with new and seasoned green leaders for an afternoon filled with learning, training, sharing, and new ideas to further our vision of a sustainable and just planet for all.

For more events: Go to the GWIPL Events Calendar

Highlights of Last Month

Our Time in Wise, VA - Dispatch from Allison
I had the privilege to join 10 faith leaders from Northern Virginia and throughout the Commonwealth in a delegation of Jews, Christians, and Muslims attending the Air Pollution Control Board hearing on June 24 in Wise, VA. Members of this faith delegation testified against Dominion Power’s proposed coal-fired power plant. During our time in Wise, we viewed the sin of mountain top removal, hiked through one of the most bio-diverse wonders of God’s creation, and broke bread and listened to music with 75 other citizens from Wise and all over the state. In the morning, we joined in a prayer circle lead by SAMS President Pete Ramsey, where he prayed for us and Dominion Power.

Although the Air Board did grant Dominion its permits, they significantly reduced the amount of mercury and other pollutants the plant can omit - thanks in a large part to the righteous indignation around this project. The “Wise Energy for VA” coalition finds the permits as they stand to be illegal, falling short of full compliance under the Clean Air Act, and appropriate action will be taken. We are excited to continue in this fight and look forward to continue to work with you for a healthy and sustainable Virginia. For more on the decisions, visit the coalition’s website.

Welcome Nydria!

As a joint project of Greater Washington Interfaith Power and Light and Chesapeake Climate Action Network, we are pleased to announce the hiring of Ms. Nydria Humphries as DC Green Jobs Coordinator. Ms. Humphries’ goals are to help educate, empower and encourage grassroots organizing of religious communities, environmental groups, students, small business owners and community groups in support of green collar jobs. For more on the national green jobs movement, visit: www.greenforall.org

Congregation in the Spotlight

Trinity United Methodist Church - Sprouts!
The Sprouts group at Trinity UMC in Alexandria, VA is a covenant discipleship group for children in grades 3-6. They met weekly through the school year and decided that their justice project would be to help Trinity to be better about recycling. They noted that the congregation did not have any recycling bins, so they decided to make light switch plate covers and sell them for $1 each to raise money for recycling bins. They also made a bunch of switch plate covers to plaster on the switch plates at Trinity. It serves two purposes: to save money/energy by reminding folks to turn the lights out AND to raise over $130 for recycling bins! That was enough money to pay for recycling bins in all of the church’s offices and a big one for the narthex for unwanted bulletins.

Faith in Action: Communities of Faith Bring Hope for the Planet

This new inspiring and exciting report from the Sierra Club highlights one exceptional faith-based environmental initiative from each of the fifty states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Skim through it for some great ideas for your efforts and celebrate what we are accomplishing throughout the country. Download the report (PDF).

Support GWIPL today
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