Kate McGregor Mosley of Georgia works to protect God’s creation
By Rick Jones | Presbyterian News Service
The Rev. Kate McGregor Mosley stands before a billboard in her honor for her energy-saving work in Atlanta. Photo courtesy of ATL100.
If you are driving through Atlanta, chances are you might see the Rev. Kate McGregor Mosley’s face smiling back at you. The Presbyterian minister was recently recognized with a large billboard for her work to advance clean energy in the city.
Mosley was one of three women honored by the ATL100 campaign, which recognizes efforts to make clean energy more accessible and affordable for people regardless of income, ZIP code or race.
“ATL100 has been tracking Atlanta’s commitment to clean energy through a special campaign and they’ve been highlighting various citizens who have been at work in this,” said Mosley. “I do not know how I was selected, but someone put my name in the hopper and surprised me with a billboard. It has generated some interest in what we do.”
Mosley serves as executive director of Georgia Interfaith Power & Light (GIPL), which equips faith communities across Georgia to care for creation through worship, education and the stewardship of natural resources. In the past 15 years, the organization has worked with more than 500 congregations, helping them reduce energy consumption and costs while looking at new creation care initiatives.
“When GIPL got started, we knew there were 15,000 houses of worship in Georgia. That’s a lot of real estate that uses energy and has to pay for that energy, so there’s an operating cost,” she said. “As faith communities, we should be thinking intentionally about stewardship of our buildings and resources that are needed to keep our organizations functioning. Helping congregations reclaim commitments to conservation is important.”
Mosley adds that there is a biblical mandate for what they do as stewards of creation.
“In Georgia, there are a number of environmental issues to address. We chose energy because we felt it was a significant problem and we believe there is a lack of transparency on how energy is generated,” she said. “How can we as houses of worship minimize the impact of coal and other resources?”
Mosley believes people need to think about the long-term costs that have not been calculated in long-term economic projections.
“We are a progressive city in the middle of the Southeast. We have challenges in transportation and have a heavy energy footprint. The city has adopted this 100 percent clean energy resolution with the goal to achieve success through energy efficiencies and renewable energy,” said Mosley. “The goal is by 2035, all buildings in Atlanta will be powered by clean energy. That was an intentional campaign. Federal government’s latest effort to re-ignite interest in coal and fossil fuels helped fuel our efforts.”
“We were so excited to see Rev. Mosley get this well-deserved recognition! She is a compassionate, wise, thoughtful and effective leader in her work with Georgia Interfaith Power and Light, and in her earlier ministry positions. She has long been an inspiring colleague among Presbyterians committed to caring for God’s creation,” said the Rev. Rebecca Barnes, coordinator of the Presbyterian Hunger Program. “GIPL supports the work of certified Presbyterian Earth Care Congregations in Greater Atlanta and Northeast Georgia presbyteries, and equips Presbyterians and others throughout the state in caring for God’s creation. We are grateful for her ministry, and for all those pastors and leaders across the country working in similar ways to build up their community in positive, hopeful ways.”
The Presbyterian Hunger Program is made possible by gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing.
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