The Benedictine Sisters of Erie were one of three runners-up in the Interfaith Power & Light 2023 Cool Congregations Challenge, announced on February 28. The “Benedictine Sisters of Erie won a Sacred Grounds award for their woods management plan using goats to clear invasive plants, planting native trees and wildflowers. They’ve started a native plant nursery and inspired their neighbors to care for Creation,” according to the Cool Congregations website.
Winners and runners-up were selected from 150 entries across six categories: Community Inspiration, Cool Planner, Electric Vehicle Leader, Energy Saver, Renewable Role Model, and Sacred Grounds Steward. Together they are preventing 1,300 tons of carbon emissions annually. “The Cool Congregations Challenge winners this year undertook a wide range of creative and inspiring projects to care for Creation and promote climate justice in their communities,” said Rev. Susan Hendershot, IPL president.
The Cool Congregations Challenge shows that people of faith are united by concerns about climate change and are taking action. The winners provide strong role models for their communities, and their activities have a ripple effect, demonstrating that acting on climate is a moral issue.
Interfaith Power & Light’s mission is to inspire and mobilize people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate change. These congregational winners prove that the faith community up to the challenge!
