Letter: Churches Save With Light the Way

To The Editor
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Announcement! Our local houses of worship can save money on their utility bills with “Light the Way” program!
I hope all clergy, trustees and board members who read this letter will take advantage of this program that is not only free, but will help them save money on their utility bills.
 “Light the Way” is a partnership between Consumers Energy and Michigan Interfaith Power and Light, a non-profit organization whose mission is ‘to inspire and equip people of faith to exercise stewardship of and love for all Creation’. Through this program, houses of worship can have a free “Energy Assessment” which creates a blueprint for saving energy, and saving money on their utility bills.

In addition, the congregation’s building walk-through by a Consumers Energy consultant will provide free energy saving devices on the spot such as LED lights, smart thermostats and faucet aerators that save on water use. Houses of worship who have signed on to the program have received up to $1000 in these energy upgrades, which results in immediate lower energy use and lower utility bills, and annual savings of hundreds of dollars. 
Has your congregation been hit hard financially from the pandemic? Many have. Fewer people in the pews can mean less in the collection baskets. And as worship communities work hard to help their congregants and local communities in need, their bank accounts can stretch thin.

Light the Way can help houses of worship spend less on energy, and more on their mission. Over 800 congregations in Michigan have signed up for this program, and we want to make sure those in the Newaygo County area have easy access as well. So far only 16 of our 70+ listed congregations have signed up. As this program is on a first come first served basis, we urge you to act now.

If you are a house of worship faith leader, board member, trustee or congregant, please contact us for information. 3R Environmental Education is the Outreach Specialist for this program in West Michigan. We are eager and happy to sign you up! Save energy, save money and be the Stewards of God’s Creation that Light the Way helps to provide. 
Sally Wagoner
[email protected]
231.924.5822 
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Sally Wagoner
[email protected]
231.924.5822