We at Saint Thomas can all attest to the beauty of clean air and water. Our sanctuary opens onto a lovely courtyard. Many parishioners have had their wedding pictures taken among the flowers and birds or strolled after a service with a daughter or son. Some of you may have held the hand of a grandchild, while they stuck their nose into a blooming rose and laughed at the tickle from its petals. Cutting back on our carbon fuel emissions, we can help generations to come enjoy the same beautiful settings to worship and pray.Electric car stations would help us decrease our carbon footprint. Due to the Federal Government’s support of electric cars, the parish has been encouraged to apply for a Federally funded grant to install four electric car-charging stations. Because we offer a Park and Ride during the week we are a prime candidate for a grant from the US Department of Energy. The hardware cost for 4 electric vehicle-charging stations covered by the grant would be roughly $20,000.
Additional installation expenses might cost another $10,000 - $20,000. The installation expenses would need to be funded by the parish. Ten days ago this seemed unattainable. However, recently our Bishop found a donor who would like to match our installation expenses dollar per dollar up to $8,000. If you know a local citizen, parent or friend of Saint Thomas School, someone affiliated with Metro or another governmental or non-profit entity who is dedicated to advancing alternative energy usage, let them know of this unique opportunity to help us move away from our dependence oil based fuel at Saint Thomas.
Despite electric cars being a new and unfamiliar technology for us all, there is strong Department of Energy support to build a network of charging stations in the Bellevue-Redmond area. Each charging station will be fully networked. Smart phones will give drivers directions to the station closest by and alert you if it is currently being used. The government’s encouragement for electric cars is evident by the, $7,500 federal tax credit and exemption from sales tax upon purchase.
Enjoy the summer and think about whom you know who might like to know about this ecological opportunity at our church home.
by Mikaela Cowles
Bob, haven't you heard? Global warming is a hoax! Must we be complicit in every liberal boondoggle that comes down the pike?
ReplyDeletePeople have certainly told me this before, but I have yet to hear a convincing argument about why someone would invent global warming as a hoax.
ReplyDeleteI'm not trying to be provocative with my reply ... I really want to know! What would anyone have to gain by making something like this up?
Josh, I refer you to this excellent article:
ReplyDeletehttp://mises.org/daily/2795
OK, Steve, so reputed scientists disagree on the evidence. But your use of the phrase "liberal boondoggle" implies that there must be some political motivation for perpetuating the belief that global warming to be both extant and caused by humans. What could that motivation be? If we are causing global warming, it's bad news for both of the major parties.
ReplyDeleteThis really is something I've been curious about for a long time.
Josh, Motivation: money and power.
ReplyDeleteOK, those are strong motivators, but I just don't see how they play out in this situation. Wouldn't it empower ALL politicians to forget about global warming completely?
ReplyDeleteIt's the same thing with the eventual end of oil on our planet: nobody from either party really wants to face it.
Oil: The capitalist knows that as oil becomes less plentiful & more expensive, the entrepreneur will come-up with something better. The government props-up failing entities like GM and Chrysler. I suspect that they're having an adverse effect on oil as well. Imagine a law that limits liability! No wonder we have spills and explosions!
ReplyDeleteGlobal Warming: I don't think so; look at the grants in all sectors of the economy; look at the increased government power & the number of new agencies. AlGore & his buddies have gotten incredibly wealthy on this.Global Warming is a big government dream.
By the way, I'm Steve Sponar, not Steve Best; I've chuckled over the thought that he could be getting credit for my brilliant thoughts!
Oil: Let's hope you're right; it will be a chaotic transition! But why wait? My understanding is that we prop up failing car companies because not to do so would have a disastrous effect on the economy. It's such a balancing act, determining who is "too big to fail" and who isn't.
ReplyDeleteGlobal warming: It sounds to me like you're saying that we once thought it was real; that there's science out there now disproving it; and that enough people are making money off the idea that they don't want it to go away? Is that right?
And yes, Steve, I think you should add your last name to your profile to make things clear. We're making this our policy on this blog: either use a photo or use your full name. Whenever I comment on a blog, I try to imagine I'm talking face to face. It helps prevent hurtful snarkiness and other bad side effects of Web anonymity.
I have attempted to attach a picture; let's see if it works. (Sorry ladies, I'm happily married.)
ReplyDeleteJosh, I'm afraid we've veered far from Bob's humble request. My views about the long term ill effects of big government are not compatible with the zeitgeist of our church. I should know better than to attempt a discussion adverse to it. God help us!
Picture: I found that the blog doesn't pickup a Google profile unless you add the picture from the St. Thomas Blog. Hope it works this time.
ReplyDeleteNot surprisingly my head is too large for the space! At least it should distinguish me from all the other Steves.
Hey, Steve --
ReplyDeleteI would hope that the zeitgeist of our church is simply to "practice the hospitality of God." That makes for a pretty big tent.
I believe that one of the most powerful witnesses to the Kingdom of God is the friendship of those of who have nothing in common but Christ. Not Christ plus feminism, not Christ plus capitalism, not Christ plus climate change ... just Christ. Christ is enough to unify us.
I've thoroughly enjoyed this discussion and have learned a lot. God knows I have a lot more to learn.
Well said, Josh; I, too, have enjoyed the exchange (& profited from it, as well.). Have also enjoyed all of the posts which have focused on the vibrancy of the youth effort which you so ably shepherd. Keep up your excellent work & I feel quite certain that church will grow again.
ReplyDelete