First Baptist Church in Blakely Receives Energy Improvement Grant

First Baptist Church of Blakely requested a Power Wise Energy Audit last fall and submitted all the required documentation for the audit. Having already begun taking a critical look at their building and grounds, church members submitted a grant application during the November 2012 grant cycle requesting funds to install energy-saving insulation in their sanctuary. The grant committee reviewed the request favorably and awarded the church $1,632.00 to improve their church’s insulation. Rev. Kate McGregor Mosley presented the grant check to them this month in Blakely.The church has a six-member stewardship committee that stresses to the staff and congregation the need to be good stewards of the offerings given to the church in addition to God’s creation. They have instituted a reuse program for their old Sunday school and devotional literature by giving it to a local charity. They also have instituted an email program to distribute literature and avoid snail mail. They also have installed programmable thermostats in their fellowship hall and meeting rooms. Once their energy audit is completed later this spring, we expect even greater things from this active group of disciples.First Baptist Church of Blakely was one of nine faith communities that were awarded a total of $52,492 in Energy Improvement Matching Grants in November 2012. The next round of Matching Grants applications are due on November 15th, 2013. Matching Grant applications are on our website. Up to $10,000 is available to congregations interested in implementing suggestions from their Power Wise Energy Audits to reduce energy consumption and costs.Rev. Kate McGregor Mosley presents at the church's Sunday evening service on March 10, 2013.