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!!  

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

    The Board of Green Interfaith Network believe that these beautiful words, spoken 53 years ago by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., simply and eloquently portray the truth about our community of life on Earth. We believe the social and Earth sciences that teach us about the critical importance of maintaining diversity… of plants, animals, and people.

   We understand that diversity of beliefs, cultures, traditions, and histories strengthen and enrich us as we live together on this beautiful, miraculous planet. Living peaceably together requires that we act boldly and swiftly to stop the destruction of Earth. Global warming will not affect us all equally; rather, it will bring particular hardships to minority communities. Living peaceably together requires that we act boldly and swiftly to equalize access to healthcare and education and jobs and housing. For too long people of color have been held back from fully realizing the American Dream.

   We acknowledge and condemn the centuries of abhorrent, demoralizing, and often murderous activities that have been levied upon people of color… and we, as people of faith, vow to act upon our principles of faith on behalf of our brothers and sisters. Therefore, we resolve to:

• speak truth to power about the persistent discrimination against minority people;
• engage in peaceful civil action to show solidarity with others who also support minority equality and rights;
• participate in community activities that are intended to bring people together regardless of race;
• consciously support minority-owned businesses;
• actively welcome people of color to join our organization and our activities;
• educate ourselves about systemic racism;
• vote our belief that Black Lives Matter.

Donate to GINI today!