Good Shepherd is in the process of working with the partnership between Montgomery County Green Bank, Interfaith Power & Light (IPL) and the Episcopal Diocese of Washington to convert to solar energy for our electrical needs. This partnership will enable us to minimize our dependence on non-renewable energy sources and save money in the process. We started this journey in 2022 by participating in the Diocesan “Solar Bootcamp” but could not follow through at the time because we did not have the money to put a new roof on our building (a requirement for solar). Fortunately, the program has continued and with our new roof(s) we are finally able to take advantage of this opportunity and join other parishes in the Creation Care Initiative that is a fundamental program in the Diocese. Joelle Novey, the Director of IPL, recently wrote the following:
“There is an instruction that is inscribed in Hebrew at the front of many Jewish prayer spaces: ‘Know before Whom you stand.’ I draw strength from faithful ancestors who defiantly insisted they served a holy purpose beyond any human idol. I am so grateful, as ever, to be in sacred partnership with you, ever sustained by the one Breath of all Life right here in the common home we share.”
We at Good Shepherd are grateful to her for her leadership and the leadership of the Diocese and Montgomery County as we do our part in caring for God’s Creation.