It’s getting cooler in the places of worship in the southwest – 10 degrees should be enough in many places. The energy crisis caused by the war is also forcing the churches to make savings. That could end up being a good thing.
Karlsruhe (dpa/lsw) – In view of the energy crisis caused by the Ukraine war, the churches in Baden-Württemberg also have to save electricity and gas in winter of all places. They recommend their congregations and church institutions to check all buildings for savings potential and to consistently reduce consumption. So that the believers don’t have to freeze, there are a number of ideas – from device optimization to stopping hot water at the sink. Wool blankets and a hot drink are also part of it, as are “winter churches” and heated seats.
The savings call for a rethink: “This will not work without changes to what is usual,” says the Evangelical Church in Württemberg. However, the regional church cannot simply decree savings, says church spokesman Dan Peter in Stuttgart. The church congregations are independent bodies that operate independently and decide on their spending. According to the Archdiocese of Freiburg, the aim is to protect the environment and climate in the long term – beyond the current energy crisis.
