November 9, 2011

Three Episcopal churches are among the nominees for the fifth annual "Energy Oscar" awards to be presented on Nov. 15 by California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL) at Grace Episcopal Cathedral in San Francisco.

The awards honor California congregations of many faiths that address global warming and energy conservation issues in their local faith communities through green building, energy efficiency measures, education and advocacy.

Trinity Episcopal Church in Menlo Park is a nominee in the energy efficiency category; St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral in San Diego and St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church in San Francisco are nominated for their efforts in energy education.

Representatives from congregations throughout the state will be in attendance. Master of ceremonies Alexander Zwissler, CEO and executive director of Chabot Space and Science Center, will announce the award winners between 7 and 8 p.m.

California Interfaith Power and Light was founded to organize a religious response to global warming. The event is open to the public. Entertainment will be provided by The Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir. Reservations may be made online here. Grace Cathedral is located at 1100 California St., San Francisco 94108.

The finalists by category are:

Green Building:
First Presbyterian Church, San Bernardino
Unitarian Universalist Church, San Francisco
Temple Sinai, Oakland
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, Hermosa Beach

Energy Efficiency:
Temple Judea, Tarzana
Trinity Episcopal Church, Menlo Park
First Lutheran Church, San Diego
Green Gulch Farm Zen Center

Education:
St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, San Diego
Unitarian Universalist Church, Fresno
St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church, San Francisco

Advocacy:
Holy Family Catholic Church, San Jose
Unitarian Universalist Church, Santa Cruz
Metropolitan Community Church in the Valley, North Hollywood

Episcopal News Service