Good Shepherd members,

Thanks to those who have attended our presentations and been reading our FAQ emails. We are continuing to take and answer questions about the project through our website and by responding to emails. 

Mission Green (Jim and Liz Fritz) will continue to send emails with FAQ (frequently asked questions) over the next week leading up to the Congregational Vote on June 5th. 

We hope these emails will help answer questions and inform your decision. This is a significant undertaking with lots of interconnected parts.

Here’s FAQ #5: Why Mission Green?

"What’s in this for Mission Green?  Why are you doing it?"

Mission Green, a mission...with a business.

Truths that drive Mission Green, LLC

• Climate change is real and an existential threat to humanity 
• The burning of fossil fuels exacerbates climate change 
• All technologies needed to replace fossil fuels already exist and are proven 
• Being proactive is more cost-effective than being reactive 
• It is wisest to think globally but act locally

Mission Green, LLC is a business and we will make a small profit on this proposal. As a business, we act under the rules of the State of Iowa and the IRS. We must do so or the IRS will consider this Philanthropy vs. Business.  Profit is not our motivation. But as a business, it’s required.

As we are a business, legal contracts will be used for the Power Purchase Agreement and Lease. We have worked with a lawyer who specializes in energy contracts from the Twin Cities and have also worked locally with Hacker Nelson and Decorah Bank & Trust/Green Penny.

Mission Green wants to help Good Shepherd become carbon neutral, eliminate energy dollars in future years that could go to other church missions, and be a leader in Caring for Creation.

This initiative allows Mission Green to increase our support for Good Shepherd by securing the Solar Tax Credits and depreciation tax credits that a non-profit cannot access. This allows Mission Green to lower the costs to Good Shepherd.

This is a way for us (Jim and Liz) to actively live out our faith in a tangible way and help to locally "move the needle" towards mitigating climate change.

Mission Green, LLC is offering a business proposal to eliminate Good Shepherd’s use of natural gas. It is a time-sensitive proposal. 

The congregation’s responsibility will be to either accept the proposal or reject it in its entirety. The Congregational vote will be on June 5th, immediately after worship.

 SAVE THE DATE 

SUNDAY, JUNE 5, following worship - SPECIAL CONGREGATION MEETING TO VOTE ON CARBON NEUTRAL INITIATIVE

At its April meeting, the Congregation Council voted to bring Mission Green, LLC’s Carbon Neutral Initiative to the congregation for a vote on June 5th.

There will be a Zoom option for voting.

Created by Good Shepherd members Jim and Liz Fritz, the proposal provides a carbon-neutral solution to help the congregation eliminate fossil fuel use and create its own renewable energy.

Information about the Carbon Neutral Initiative for Good Shepherd can be found here:

• New Mission Green videos that include the information presented at the Adult Forums and statements by local experts: www.youtube.com/channel/UCwOiVwCWNjHJLy-pcn1IZD
• Good Shepherd’s website: www.goodshepherddecorah.org/missiongreen/
• Jim and Liz’s website: www.missiongreen.llc

Jim and Liz welcome in-person conversations and questions as well as email messages: missiongreen@icloud.com

Sincerely,

Jim and Liz Fritz

Mission Green, LLC