Tennessee Interfaith Power and Light had its first Annual Meeting on September 7.  Church of the Good Shepherd (Episcopal) generously hosted our annual meeting.  During our day-long annual meeting, we reaffirmed our vision for TIPL and charted its course for 2014.

The evening before, we had a special program with Rev. Alexis Chase, the Executive Director of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light, one of the largest and oldest IPL’s in the country.  Rev. Chase talked about the work GIPL does within the Georgia faith community to promote sustainability.

This has been an important organizational year for TIPL as we developed our steering committee and obtained a seed grant from the national IPL.  We held climate vigils in Johnson City, Jonesborough, Knoxville, Maryville, Crossville, and Nashville.  Several of our members have outreached to other faith communities to inform them of the challenges of climate change and encourage them to become members of this interfaith effort to spiritually respond to climate change.

During our annual meeting, we shared our visions for TIPL and what TIPL could do in 2014 to take steps toward achieving that vision. Over the next few months, the TIPL Steering Committee will further develop our 2014 goals.

Also, TIPL elected its officers and steering committee members.  For a complete list, follow this link.

Approximately 35 people gathered to raise our voices together in song at the first climate vigil in northeast TN on Nov. 14th near ETSU in Johnson City. The event was co-sponsored by the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) at ETSU, TN-IPL, the Green Interfaith Network, Inc. (GINI), and the Environmental Studies minor at ETSU.

The group stood near the new benches at the corner of State of Franklin Road and University Parkway on the edge of campus as the sun set, listening intently to prayers that were offered and joining in song and solidarity with others who understand the significance of human action (and inaction) as it affects the climate. Prayers were offered by Rev. Dr. Tim Ross, pastor of Hopwood Memorial Christian Church and by Dr. Mohamed Alzoubi, President of the Muslim Community of North East Tennessee (MCNET).

Several people brought instruments to accompany the group in a series of well-known songs that were selected for the first Earth Choir songbook. Emily Bidgood and Steve Church played their guitars and led the vocals. Following the final song, a minute of silence was offered, with candles held high, for personal reflection on our individual and collective impacts on the environment, our society, and the Earth.

The “Earth Choir” is the brainchild of Louise Gorenflo, a dedicated member of the TN-IPL Steering Committee from Crossville, TN. A similar program was presented in Knoxville on Nov. 18th, where Louise and others offered prayers and reflections to open the hearts and minds of those in attendance to the reality of climate change.

In response to that reality, TN-IPL is pressing TVA to adopt a 1% energy efficiency standard, which will reduce the need for additional power plants and enable TVA to close the oldest and dirtiest of the plants in its fleet.

More climate vigils are being planned for the greater Knoxville area and the TriCities region. Watch for further announcements in the new year!