Provisions in this legislation will promote energy savings in commercial buildings and industrial facilities, which together consume nearly 50% of the nation’s primary energy. The bill will also reduce energy costs within the federal government, our nation’s largest energy consumer, saving the taxpayers money. Reducing barriers to investment in existing energy efficiency technologies, as S.761 does, boosts the competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers and creates jobs.

You know that energy efficiency works — as an IPL supporter you and your congregation have likely implemented energy saving measures at home or in your facilities. IPL congregations have collectively saved tens of millions of dollars while preventing millions of pounds of carbon pollution. It’s the easiest, cheapest and fastest way to address climate change.

So, please join us in urging your senator to support S.761.

download the 2013 Earth Day Sunday resource

Add your name to the Faith Principles on Climate Change.

Over the last year, thousands of Christians and people of faith have signed the Faith Principles on Climate Change. The National Council of Churches will deliver these Principles to President Obama, members of Congress, and other elected officials to highlight the faith community’s commitment to climate justice.

The time is now for action on climate change – at the every level. We must make changes in our personal lives, in our congregations, and in our country. Please stand with thousands of pastors and people of faith in speaking out for climate justice. 

Add your name to the Faith Principles on Climate Change.

The snowstorm that hit central Arkansas last week once again made us realize how important our relationships are. Neighbors began looking out for neighbors, and we had a chance to reflect on how necessary for our wellbeing are those people whom we rarely see, the ones who take care of electrical lines, or drive tow trucks, or deliver groceries to stores in the middle of the night. We are all connected one to another, and society is built up as a result. It is the secular version of the message that Christians have been called on to proclaim for going on two thousand years.

Another important relationship that we had to focus on last week was our very fundamental one with nature itself. Nature can do dramatic things that will disrupt our lives. It is a truth that we must not forget as we do more things to the natural world around us that disrupt temperature and rainfall and even the acidity of the oceans. When we harm nature, we will end up harming ourselves.

The message of Christian stewardship of the earth has not been a message that we have proclaimed very well. Now that billions more people live on the earth than did in the days when the gospels and epistles were written, it is time that we take seriously God’s call to care for the natural world first heard in the book of Genesis.  In treating the earth with respect, we are also caring for the human beings who will be alive long after we of this present generation are dead. I am reminded that the communion of saints is composed of not only people who have gone before us, but also the people who will follow us. We treat them with as much honor as we treat the saints of history.

I hope that we can all be more conscious of how we treat the world around us, and that we resolve to do something about it. Relationships of all kinds are important. It is a lesson we learned last week, and a lesson that the church calls to our attention each time we celebrate the Eucharist and call on all the saints to be with us in our praise of God who made this world and all that is in it.

A $30 donation will help us provide energy efficient lighting at a house of worship in a low income neighborhood. $50 will buy 4 rolls of fiber insulation for a community building with programs for children. $75 will provide 20 cans of spray foam insulation at a shelter.

Your gifts provide for insulation, programmable thermostats, low-flow shower heads, CFL bulbs, weather strips, calk, foam board, spray foam, socket sealers, and other items to help our neighbors reduce energy consumption. When less money is spent for utilities, more money is available for ministries and programs.

You may mail a check to Arkansas IPL, P.O. Box 268, Little Rock, AR 72203. All gifts are greatly appreciated.

Thursday, November 15 is America Recycles Day and from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., Goodwill Industries of Arkansas will host a recycling round-up at 109 Markham Park Drive in Little Rock with Keep Little Rock Beautiful and Shred Smart.

In celebration of America Recycles Day, Goodwill will accept computers and other e-waste for recycling, along with clothing, shoes, books and other household donations.