Green Interfaith Network strives to be a model for green faith communities in the Southern Appalachians and to become a spiritual voice for environmental sustainability in the Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia region 

GINI's volunteers -- individuals, families, and our growing network of congregations -- are the driving force behind the vision of faith-based, sustainable living and Earthcare in the Southern Appalachians.

We offer resources on Earth stewardship,  eco-justice and advocacy, and spiritual tools for growth. Through events, meetings, and our web-based community we also offer opportunities to connect with others who share similar values. We celebrate the successes of our area faith communities. Read some success stories from the Tricities area in northeastern Tennessee here.

GINI can help faith communities undertake energy assessments and and improve energy sufficiency at their houses of worship through our Greening Grants!!  

Action Alert: HB667 C-PACER Programs

Tennessee General Assembly is poised to take a significant positive step toward clean energy.  Here's how you can help.

Thanks to the strong leadership of sponsor Rep. Bob Freeman (Nashville), the House will be voting soon on HB667 dealing with clean energy and resilience. The bill has passed committees with strong support and will be voted on by the entire House soon.
 
This bill authorizes local governments to establish and adopt Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy and storm Resiliency (C-PACER) programs that ensure that free and willing owners of agricultural, commercial, industrial, and multifamily residential properties will be able to obtain low-cost, long-term financing for qualifying improvements. This technical term, “commercial property assessed clean energy,” means that commercial property owners will be able to more easily pay for the upfront costs associated with energy efficiency and other renewable energy improvements. 
 

This bill is only a step, but it is an important step, toward clean and renewable energy! Please contact your House member and others (if you happen to know them) and urge them to vote YES on HB667!

Find your state representative!

Read More About C-PACER Programs

Read More About the Bill: HB667

As we continue to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, Green Interfaith Network offers our heart-felt gratitude to those on the front lines of care. We offer some thoughts on caring for ourselves, caring for others in our community, while continuing to care for all creation.

Physical Health

• CDC Prevention Guidance
• WHO Prevention Guidance

Mental Health

• CDC Prevention Guidance
• WHO Prevention Guidance

Spiritual Health

Rabbi Shmuly Yanklowitz from San Francisco recently published The Six Spiritual Prescriptions for Coronavirus

1. There is no value in placing blame (deal with our issues and learn from them)
2. Be afraid - but channel that fear productively
3. Wipe out evil with more compassion, more justice, and more humility
4. Embrace a sabbatical through renewal and nourishing the soul
5. Be gentle through understanding others
6. Love is contagious, too - take actions inspired by love and joy

If you are unable to attend a place of worship to sustain your spiritual health, various houses of worship offer online services across Tennessee.

• • Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, Kingsport
  • First Presbyterian Church, Elizabethton
  • Holston Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Gray
  • St. John's Episcopal Church, Johnson City
  • St. Mary's Catholic Church, Johnson City

Donate to GINI today!