The Episcopal Ecological Network (EpEN)

How do I start a Green Team at my congregation?

• You can begin by talking to some friends who might be interested in forming the core group with you. Talk to your clergy and staff to see if they're interested and supportive of the group. Make sure that you've spoken to whoever is in charge of your facilities – you're really going to need to know how the church building works!
• Once you have two or three committed people (or have exhausted your friends!) try putting up a flyer or announcement of a first meeting in your church's bulletin.
• Have a potluck if the group is small enough! Brainstorm about what your goals are and what you want to do.
• Once you've set your first goal – and your first goal should be relatively easy to accomplish, something clear that you will be able to point to and say "we did this!" - set up a plan for how you will accomplish it, and what everyone's tasks will be.
• How do you judge what task to begin with? Remember, start with the interests and energy of your group; consider whether you have clergy and staff support and the sense of pace of change within your church; and sort your potential goals by "easy" vs. "hard" and "cheap" vs. "expensive." Always start with cheap and easy – good advice in many contexts.
• Set up a time to meet again regularly and check in with one another. Keeping in touch via email is also very useful.
  

If you don't find the answer to your question, please send your question to
info at eenonline.org (replace the "at" with the appropriate symbol).

The EpEN is a national network of active lay and clergy persons within the Episcopal Church, USA, who share a common concern for the environment and a common belief in the presence of God in all Creation and who work to make these concerns and beliefs known throughout all Provinces and Dioceses within the church. Members come from around the Episcopal Church USA. The activities of the EpEN are focused on the areas of Reflection, Education, and Action.

If you would like to contact any of these groups or to find out more about the EpEN, please click on the links on the left.