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Capitol Hill cathedral now a certified Green Faith Sanctuary

(Image: St. Mark's)

(Image: St. Mark’s)

Saint Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral was certified a Green Faith Sanctuary in June making the Capitol Hill house of worship the first cathedral to be awarded the nod.

The certification was given by GreenFaith, a group supporting environmental efforts in religious institutions, and took two years of work for St Mark’s to achieve.

Some of that two year process included, “adult and youth sustainability education, training of leaders, and worship services that celebrated creation themes,” according to a release. A task force at the cathedral also worked, “to raise the community’s consciousness about carbon footprints which included practical information to equip parishioners to reduce their own energy use at home,” the release adds. Some of these changes are now visible at the cathedral.

The release states, “You may see evidence of some of these efforts, which include a new bike rack,  “No Idling” signs, an organic garden and the Saint Mark’s greenbelt, and a green acreage to the south of the Cathedral buildings that Saint Mark’s is restoring in cooperation with the City of Seattle.” Deacon at St Mark’s Episcopal, Rev. Stephen Crippen, said in the release, “This is just the beginning.”

More in the announcement on the certification, below:

[Rev. Stephen Crippen]: “Our Green Faith Sanctuary certification is the result of two years of hard work by a core team of lay volunteers who followed a task list that is literally more than six feet long!  But we now need to turn to the question, ‘What’s next for Saint Mark’s?’ Green Faith is about an ongoing, process of consciousness-raising and advocacy to honor our obligation to the earth. This work is deeply rooted in our spiritual tradition as Christians who are called to care for the good world God made.”

…Additionally, the congregation of Saint Mark’s is proclaiming its calling to participate in environmental-justice efforts beyond the campus.  Our members are developing an ongoing relationship with the Duwamish Tribe and others who are impacted by the pollution of the Duwamish Waterway, a Federal superfund site.

Saint Mark’s will take the summer to determine next steps in environmental stewardship and leadership, even as it celebrates a major accomplishment that was two years in the making. For more information about the ongoing environmental efforts, please contact:Susan Nicoll, [email protected];  206-528-1393.

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