| Beyond political commentary or church affiliation a | | | | and expanding on their vision for themselves and |
| new movement is coming from the pulpit, through | | | | the world" cites Don Midgett, author of Mission |
| the congregations and out to the community. | | | | and Vision Statements: Your Path to a Successful |
| Color it green. | | | | Business Future. Itreiterates the need for an on |
| What has been traditional skepticism between | | | | going review of what is their mission and what is |
| religion and science is now being rethought and | | | | reflected accurately in their vision." |
| identified in churches across the Southeast. The | | | | Other groups are meeting as well. In Tennessee, |
| mission is engaging congregations in understanding | | | | Cool Congregations' members help each other by |
| the relationship of faith and science in the | | | | discussing the connection between faith and |
| necessity of establishing "green" awareness. In an | | | | environment and bringing that understanding back |
| effort to bring "the message of an earth that | | | | to their houses of worship. Reverend Jim Deming, |
| cannot last forever and that all are charged with | | | | leader of the movement states "At some point |
| the responsibility of taking care of it" full circle, the | | | | we are going to be overwhelmed by demand (on |
| Interfaith Power and Light Movement in Atlanta is | | | | the environment). In many ways, the Southeast |
| offering tips on low-energy care of church organs, | | | | has been behind, but we really can't wait. This is |
| kits for "green" holidays , energy efficient light | | | | an immediate crisis." |
| bulbs, etc. Their efforts are sprouting chapters | | | | "Faith and Science can be united in a common goal |
| throughout Virginia, and North Carolina. The vision | | | | or mission, especially in today's community. Church |
| means environmental activism and with it, huge | | | | mission and vision statements are no longer |
| advances for the national movement. | | | | hidden or understood by only a select few" says |
| "The greatest social movements of our time, | | | | Midgett. "They are out in the open where they |
| from abolition to civil rights, didn't seem to take | | | | can be communicated in a meaningful way, with |
| off until the religious community got involved" said | | | | the purpose of everyone associated with it |
| Mark Ginsberg, the North Carolina chapter's | | | | working together for its implementation and |
| outreach coordinator recently in an Associated | | | | attainment. Shared visions derive their power |
| Press article. | | | | from the desire to connect our head with our |
| "This is a great example of a group, or | | | | heart and share the vision with others. |
| organization understanding their collective mission | | | | |