And the Creation Wise Contest Winner Is...

Last year, as part of our 10th Anniversary, we set a goal to increase the number of Creation Wise-certified congregations in Georgia. To encourage participation, we held a friendly contest—the Creation Wise Contest. Any and all congregations that were certified as Creation Wise would be entered into a drawing for a cash prize of $2,500.

St. Andrews Presbyterian Church of Tucker was chosen through random lottery drawing as the winner! GIPL Founder & Board member Rev. Woody Bartlett pulled St. Andrews' name from a basket of prize entries.St. Andrews' Creation Wise-worthy work includes: greening their annual foot race that raises money for local missions; undergoing an energy audit plus winning two GIPL grants for energy efficiency projects; worm composting; maintaining an active Caring for Creation Team; and hosting Creation care Sunday school classes. Additionally, St. Andrews was the first congregation to be certified as Earth Care Congregation by PCUSA in 2010.St. Andrews expressed their gratitude with a thoughtful note to us:Dear GIPL Friends,There is nothing more precious than a friend, known for supporting and encouraging, coming to visit bearing an unrestricted and unexpected gift! Your check for $2,500 was such a gift for our Caring for Creation Team and for the congregation of St Andrews Presbyterian. Thank you so very much! With our new pastor only days from our doorstep and with these funds, we anticipate moving forward with enthusiasm to care for God's creation in new and exciting ways. Thank you for broadening our possibilities!In gratitude and Christian love,Mary Evans for St Andrew Presbyterian Church in Tucker, GeorgiaWe're delighted for St. Andrews, and hope this money will further their sustainability measures and inspire a special project within their congregation that they will share with GIPL!