About Us - South Carolina Interfaith Power & Light

Mission

South Carolina Interfaith Power and Light (SCIPL) is inspired by diverse faith perspectives to respond to climate change and to care for the Earth and all its inhabitants by engaging people of faith to work together for a just and sustainable future.

We do this by: engaging with faith communities to grow their understanding of climate justice and how they can respond to climate change and environmental justice in their homes, houses of worship, and communities; educating ministers and lay leaders in building their climate justice ministry; promoting energy efficiency through energy audits and a mini-grants program for houses of worship; collaborating with other organizations to develop and influence environmental justice policy; and organizing with vulnerable communities to advocate for equitable environmental policies.

History

South Carolina Interfaith Power and Light (SCIPL) was founded in 2011 as an affiliate of the National Interfaith Power and Light organization to serve faith communities through environmental action, awareness, and resources. It originally operated under Wofford College’s Center for Global & Community Engagement, and was adopted by Sustaining Way in 2017. SCIPL is the only statewide faith-based organization focusing on environmental issues. As such, it is uniquely situated to work with South Carolina’s faith community to increase environmental awareness and promote sustainable action. Today, SCIPL is a growing network of diverse faith communities committed to environmental stewardship.

Staff

Alecia Brewster

Program Director

Before joining South Carolina Interfaith Power and Light and Sustaining Way as Program Director, Alecia served on Sustaining Way’s board of directors for three years. As Sustaining Way’s first Program Director, Alecia is responsible for the efficiency and effectiveness of Sustaining Way’s programs. Alecia recently helped to establish the Greenville County Mentoring Collaborative and is an active Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Ambassador, Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club Advisory Council Member, and Past President of Greenville Breakfast Rotary Club. Her career began as an elementary teacher in Greenville and Charleston County School Districts. Alecia holds a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from College of Charleston and a Master of Public Administration from Clemson University. She is married to Reverend Zachary Brewster and has three children.

Marjorie Anne Foster

South Carolina Interfaith Power and Light Intern

Foster graduated from Elon University with a BA in Journalism and Religious Studies. She now attends Emory University where she is pursuing her Masters in Theological Studies with a focus on Global Religions. Marjorie Anne shares SCIPL’s passion for celebrating faith communities and establishing sustainable and equitable environmental practices

Connor Campbell

Assistant Coordinator

Campbell holds a Bachelor of Arts from Anderson University. Throughout early adulthood, he developed a passion for the outdoors, which inspired him to take a more critical view of the impact that he has on the planet, and to cherish the sanctity of creation in all of its forms. Having served in non-profit organizations from the ground up, he brings years of experience and energy to the Assistant Coordinator role. He resides in Anderson, South Carolina.

Leadership Council

Want to become involved with our Council? Apply here.

LaRahna Hughes

Hughes is the owner of Seeds Cafe and Farm in Williston, SC, and serves as a volunteer board member for the Atlantic Institute and RePioneering Church. Hughes is a champion for social change and seeks out solutions for meeting the spiritual, emotional, and physical needs of the diverse, interfaith community in which she lives.

Queen Quet

Queen Quet, Chieftess, Head of State for the Gullah/Geechee Nation. Queen Quet is a published author, computer scientist, lecturer, mathematician, historian, columnist, preservationist, environmentalist, film consultant, and “The Art-ivist.” She is the premier advocacy organization founder for the continuation of Gullah/Geechee culture, the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition. Queen Quet is deeply engaged in all aspects of South Carolina’s climate and Environmental Justice landscape.

Reverend Ron Robinson

Robinson is the founder and former Director of SCIPL. Rev. Robinson serves as Chaplain and Professor of Religion at Wofford College and directs the college’s Interfaith Programs. Rev. Robinson resides in Spartanburg, SC.

Margaret Stephens

Stephens is the Director for Faith and Neighborhood Initiatives at LiveWell and a Sustaining Way Board member. Margaret has 20+ years of experience as an RN and Faith Community Nurse. She resides in Pickens County.

David Williams

Williams is the founder and CEO of Community Saviors, a nonprofit committed to teaching healthy lifestyles and agriculture in low-income communities. Mr. Williams teaches high school environmental science and lives in Kingstree, SC.

Partners

Jemez Principles

SCIPL affirms the Jemez Principles for Democratic Organizing.

On December 6-8, 1996, forty people of color and European-American representatives met in Jemez, New Mexico, for the “Working Group Meeting on Globalization and Trade.” The Jemez meeting was hosted by the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice with the intention of hammering out common understandings between participants from different cultures, politics, and organizations.