by Crys Zinkiewicz

One of the largest churches in Nashville, the well-known and stately West End United Methodist Church recently got a wake-up call!

A data comparison showed that even though the building was largely empty during 2020, the building’s energy use tracked along the same lines as reported for 2019. Not the occupancy, but the building itself is the major culprit in our energy consumption. And our energy consumption is harming planet and people.

The data and the theological reminder were provided in a proposal by Josh Richardson, the director of Brugmansia Ministries. Working part time on the reception desk at West End, Josh understood the building usage. He also saw the number of people who came seeking help from the church. Unfortunately, the monthly allotment of the Pastors’ Discretionary Fund, which was designated to help those folks, would run out within the first few days each month. Josh was uniquely situated to help us with both our problems.

The proposal Josh presented showed us that we could save dollars by reducing energy and turn the proceeds into a resource for continuing toward greater reserves that could go to more and bigger energy-savings actions for the building. But he also proposed that only half of the funds realized go back into the building. The other half could go to help our neighbors in need who come to our door. Not only would the push to efficiency assist our local neighbors but also our global neighbors as our efforts would lower our carbon footprint and reduce our own contribution to global warming.

Our Creation Care Committee received the proposal, which we have titled “Good Stewards/Good Neighbors,” and caught the vision. We next took it to the Buildings & Grounds Committee. They too were on board but put up a caution flag: They didn’t feel they had the expertise to know HOW to implement the idea.

Under the leadership of our senior pastor, the Rev. Dr. Carol Cavin-Dillon, staff readily agreed to do their part and made some simple changes, including turning off computers and using a smart device for turning off the multiple TV monitors in the building. Finance Committee also supported the idea but struggled with the proposed multi-year commitment. Nevertheless, they committed to remain open to the possibilities.

Not wanting to go to vendors for advice since as businesses they would naturally have a vested interest in our using their product, our pastor who relates to Creation Care, Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye, reached out to local universities. Lipscomb University’s sustainability department head indicated willingness to work with us on the issues of HOW. The university has two classes— “Sustainability” and “Green Buildings.” We are hoping that conversation will lead to having one or more students, under the supervision of the professor, helping us be clearer about the HOW. The class does not meet until March of 2022.

In the meantime, we’ve discovered Global Ministries’ emphasis on Energy Efficiency and have participated in the first two webinars. We’ve also downloaded the new EnergyStar Portfolio Manager (co-branded with UM Global Ministries) (see more information about that here). The booklet includes a description of the skill sets that are most helpful in a team. Recruiting team members is our current task. The manual gives us another tool for understanding and tackling the HOW.

As we move forward, we will present the proposal to other groups within the church leadership and the congregation to keep everyone informed and to generate enthusiasm and commitment.

Our wake-up call has been the first step on a journey. Other churches have taken this path. With a clear vision of what is needed and possible, we’re stepping out in faith!

Crys Zinkiewicz chairs the Creation Care Committee at West End UMC in Nashville, Tennessee.