Saratoga Church Earns Environmental Recognition

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Presbyterian-United Church of Christ has been recognized by its two denominations for significant environmental achievements over the past five years.

The congregation was certified as an Earth Care church by the Albany Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church (USA) and as a Creation Justice church by the UCC.

Led by its Environmental Action Team, the Saratoga congregation grows organic produce for food-insecure people in a large Interfaith Healing Garden just outside its sanctuary building at 24 Circular St.

Fifty-six of the congregation’s households participate in the Hope Community Solar Project, which reduces electricity costs by using solar rather than fossil-fuel energy. The church also has initiated a composting program, replaced its gasoline-powered lawn mower with a battery-powered model and saved more than $2,300 by installing an energy efficient refrigerator and converting to all LED lighting.

The congregation has hosted or co-sponsored numerous environmental programs, working with Sustainable Saratoga, Skidmore College and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Saratoga Springs.

“Our efforts to promote and protect God’s great earth make us part of a national movement of churches to lead in combating climate change and creating a more just world for all,” said Judy Beers, chair of the Environmental Action Team.