Interfaith Environmental Network
The Academy’s Center for Environmental Policy is launching a new initiative to improve communication and collaboration among the faith-based and religious groups that are working to protect the environment and promote sustainability. There are dozens of churches and faith-based organizations in the Philadelphia region that have made stewardship of the environment a central element of their creed. Many of these groups operate independently and have little contact with traditional environmental organizations.
The Academy’s Interfaith Environmental Network is intended to facilitate the building of partnerships between faith-based environmental organizations and between these organizations and the secular environmental community. To start this process, the Center for Environmental Policy website will host a directory of faith-based environmental groups. This directory will be updated continuously. If you would like to add your group to this coalition, please email . Also, check here frequently for announcements related to interfaith environmental activities.
Participants in the Interfaith Environmental Network include:
- Congregation Or Hadash;
- Central Baptist Church;
- Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia;
- Jewish Reconstructionist Federation;
- Mishkan Shalom;
- Neighborhood Interfaith Movement;
- St. Martin-in-the-Fields Episcopal Church;
- The Shalom Center;
- Sisters of Saint Joseph – Cecilian Center for Earth, Arts and Spirit;
- Tabernacle United Church, United Church of Christ and Presbyterian Church.
Congregation Or Hadash 215-283-2076 Contact: |
The Environmental Working Group of Congregation Or Hadash has been in existence since November 2006. We have implemented a number of programs, including recycling at our synagogue, a symposium with the folks at pachamama.org, an environmentally themed Havdalah social in honor of Tu B'Shevat (New Year for the Trees in Judaism). This year we are planning programming around the Jewish Year of the Sun (Birchat Ha-Chamah), a coffee house to benefit the synagogue's purchase of wind energy, and an expanded Pachamama symposium. |
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106 West Lancaster Ave. 610-688-0664 |
Central Baptist Church has had an active Ecology Mission Group for 20 years. Its mission is to help our place of worship operate in a greener fashion, help our congregants do good things for energy consumption and the environment, and affect policies at the regional and national levels. Current Environmental Activities:
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Interfaith Center of 3723 Chestnut Street 215-222-1012 Contact: |
The Interfaith Center is currently in its 4th year of running an interfaith youth service-learning initiative called “Walking the Walk” where groups of high school students selected from neighboring congregations gather throughout the school year for interfaith engagement, service learning, community building, and creative reflection. As part of this program, we have developed a 4-part service-learning curriculum that explores the themes of water, trees, air, and wildlife from an interfaith perspective. This year, participants in the Suburban-West “Walking the Walk” network will be going through this curriculum in partnership with Lower Merion Conservancy. Another part of this program is a one-day community-wide event, The National Day of Interfaith Youth Service. This event is planned and facilitated by a committed group of “Walking the Walk” alumni from a variety of religious backgrounds. This year, the Day of Service will be taking place once again at the Cobbs Creek Community Environmental Center in partnership with Philadelphia Green and Fairmount Park. The theme for the service activities and the interfaith engagement component will be caring for the environment. |
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation 215-885-5601 x 24 |
In 1990 JRF passed a movement-wide resolution on the environment and congregational life. In 2006 we launched our Sustainable Synagogues Initiative: Living a Jewish Life Rooted in Ecological Values. With the enthusiasm of JRF's 105 congregations, participation in the COEJL Climate Change and Blessing the Sun (Solar Energy) Initiative, JRF is deepening its work with member communities, other religious movements, and partner organizations in the area of sustainability. Resources on Judaism and the sustainability are available at: |
Mishkan Shalom 215-508-0226
Contact: |
Mishkan Shalom is a spiritual, progressive, and inclusive Reconstructionist Synagogue located in Philadelphia. Our synagogue is a place where we integrate tradition and innovation, share our faith and doubts, ask questions, and learn from one another. We are committed to:
Current Environmental Activities:
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Neighborhood Interfaith 215-843-5600, Ext.104 |
NIM created the “Sustaining Creation” task force several years ago to bring together representatives who are working on environmental initiatives. Previous activities have included congregational screenings of “An Inconvenient Truth,” an annual energy efficiency workshop, and an environmental justice forum. Current Environmental Activities:
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St. Martin-in-the-Fields 8000 St. Martin's Lane 215-247-7466 Contact: |
The Church of St. Martin-in-the-Field has formed a Sustainability Committee which is conducting an energy audit of parish facilities, building ecological themes into worship and education, and encouraging parishioners to become more ecologically conscious in their everyday lives. |
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6711 Lincoln Drive www.shalomctr.org/ Contact: |
The Shalom Center is a national network (with a special concern for Philadelphia) that draws on Jewish and other spiritual teachings to seek peace, justice, and healing of the earth. It sponsors the Green Menorah Covenant program for work by congregations and households for both hands-on “greening” and action to change public policy, especially focused on addressing the danger of global scorching and the world-wide climate crisis. Current Environmental Activities:
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Sisters of Saint Joseph 100 W. Carpenter Lane 215-849-3364 Director: |
Cecilian Center for Earth, Arts and Spirit, a sponsored work of the Sisters of St. Joseph, fosters opportunities to reflect, practice, and celebrate the truth that all is sacred. By integrating artistic expression with holistic spirituality, the Center hopes to model ways of living in harmony with all of creation. |
Tabernacle United Church 3700 Chestnut Street 215-386-4100 |
Tabernacle United Church is a socially active, justice-oriented community located in University City and belongs to the Presbyterian Church (USA) and the United Church of Christ. Current Environmental Activities:
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