Faith and the Environment at Pilgrim

Pilgrim's Finance and Administration Committee has worked to save energy at the church for many years, purchasing new and more efficient furnaces, insulating the sanctuary ceiling, and replacing the large sanctuary windows with double pane glass, among other projects.

In 2006 a group of people began meeting to discuss a faithful response to climate change and other ecological problems facing our planet. Today, Pilgrim Environmental Group seeks to educate ourselves and others by sharing films and books with the congregation and the surrounding community. Five films have now been shown on environmental topics.
PEG maintains a bookshelf of readings in ecology, agriculture, climate change, and practical ways to save energy. A Carfest featuring hybrid cars and cars that run on used cooking oil was an enjoyable way to learn ways in which transportation could reduce energy use. A composting demonstration held in conjunction with the Annual Plant Sale encouraged others to recycle yard and kitchen waste while reducing garbage sent to Boston Harbor.

Through Pilgrim Environmental Group, Pilgrim Church is affiliated with two interfaith organizations. LIFE Action or Lexington Interfaith Environmental Action is a group of Lexington congregations which meets monthly to plan projects and share ideas. We study legislation and encourage passage of energy saving efforts such as the statewide Stretch Energy Code. And we share what we have learned at the Annual Energy Fair.

A new group, started in the summer of 2009, is the Interfaith Garden Committee. In response to new knowledge that our agricultural system is the root of many environmental and health problems, this group is already planting an organic garden in Lexington. It will be tended by the members of 13 faith communities which support the idea of good fresh food for those in need at the Lexington Food Pantry.

Here are a few helpful websites:

For finding good nature and environmental programs for your children:
Massachusetts Audubon Society

For finding accurate information about pollution, climate change and other ecological issues:
Union of Concerned Scientists

Food, pesticides, product safety, water quality:
The Environmental Working Group

Recycling, Composting and Hazardous Waste:
Lexington Department of Public Works

Our denomination:
United Church of Christ, on EarthCare