As stewards of God’s creation, the people of St. Mark’s parish are excited to announce the installation of solar panels on the south-facing roof of the administrative wing of our campus’s parish house. This marks a significant step in our parish’s commitment to environmental sustainability, aligning with the larger initiative first set forth by the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island well over a year ago.
At 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 8th, Father Edwin Beckham will lead the congregation in worship and in the blessing of the new solar panels, coinciding with the “Season of Creation” we’re celebrating in September/October and reflecting our collective dedication to both spiritual growth and environmental responsibility.
The 87 newly installed solar panels are projected to generate upwards of 60% of our campus’s electricity needs, leading to an estimated annual savings of over $8,000. Thanks to this savings, plus federal grants covering 30% of the total cost, St. Mark’s outlay for this project will be recouped within 6 to 7 years. This sustainability initiative represents a concrete way in which our parish is working to reduce our environmental footprint and honor our responsibility to care for God’s beautiful world.
After worship and the blessing, we invite all guests and parishioners to join us for our annual parish BBQ — a time to celebrate, reflect, and enjoy fellowship.
Why Solar?
In 2023, under the leadership of Bishop Lawrence Provenzano, the Creation Care Community of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island challenged parishes to embrace “green” electricity generation. St. Mark’s responded to this call with enthusiasm, recognizing the long-term benefits for both our parish and the environment. Mary Grace Puszka, on the bishop’s communications team, is available for those seeking more information about the broader diocesan initiative.
