GA08022

San Jose churches show how to go 'green'

By Pat Plant

SAN JOSE, June 21, 2008 — “Green” is the new gold standard when it comes to the environment, and the churches of the Presbytery of San Jose are setting a new “green” standard of excellence.

Several congregations have met this new standard through simple, daily actions. Here are some examples:

Foothill Presbyterian Church became the first church to be declared environmentally green in Santa Clara County. The recognition was given by the Santa Clara County Environmental Services division.

This San Jose congregation raised $1,025 to plant 1,025 Moringa trees in the Democratic Republic of the Congo because the trees grow quickly, and every part of the tree is edible and healthy.

Foothill members hold a Recycle Sunday monthly to collect bottles and cans to return to the recycling center for cash for the church. They turn in unwanted computers, printers, monitors and batteries for recycling. They have also replaced Styrofoam cups and plates with biodegradable ones.

Foothill Presbyterian Church will be featured on the Green Tour, Wednesday June 25, during the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.) meeting here.

Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church has joined Foothill Church in reaching the county’s green status. The congregation recently celebrated “Making Peace with the Earth” when they received the citation. They, too, have replaced Styrofoam and plastic for coffee hours and events and started “The Fellowship of the Green” to study environmental issues and responses that make a difference.

Stone Presbyterian Church of Willow Glen, CA, now uses ceramic mugs for coffee hours and events, as does First Presbyterian Church of Palo Alto, CA. Stone’s “Eco-Faithfulness” exhibit educates and encourages members about earth stewardship.
One exhibit led members to buy compact fluorescent bulbs and keep 60,700 lbs. of carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, which saves approximately $12,800 a year in energy bills.