God Loves Green

Fortnightly finds one church preaching the gospel of renewable energy.

At the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in the town of Secaucus, N.J., purchasing renewable energy is more than just a consideration about the environment, or a dollars-and-cents issue. "The purchase of renewable electric energy is a spiritual and moral act. The religious community is showing creative responsibility in taking the initiative to widen the market for energy that will lead to cleaner, healthier air for our future children," states the Rev. Franklin E. Vilas, D.Min., on his Parish's Web site. And he should know, Rev. Vilas is the chairman of the Diocese's Environmental Commission and president of Partners for Environmental Quality Inc., a nonprofit interfaith coalition focused on earth stewardship and environmental justice. Furthermore, Rev. Vila says the push for green energy at the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour started with organizations and movements like California's Episcopal Power and Light.