By Karen Hendricks

Maybe you’ve been noticing a lot of solar panels in your community and in your daily travels lately. I know I have. My skyward views have included more and more solar panels popping up in residential neighborhoods, atop businesses, and–this really grabbed my attention–atop church roofs, in the shadows of their steeples. And that planted a seed for a story: I wondered why church congregations were turning to solar power, if they were motivated by climate change, and how these actions might be directed by their faith.

My questions turned into a deep dive reporting assignment for StateImpact Pennsylvania (a partnership between three NPR stations (Harrisburg, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh) and Climate Solutions, a Central Pennsylvania collaboration including Harrisburg’s NPR affilate, WITF 89.5.

What I discovered is that many churches are installing solar panels not only motivated by climate change, but as statements about their faith and creation care, as well as cost-savings that allow them to spend their precious resources on ministries rather than utilities.

You can read my story, here: “How Pennsylvania churches are addressing climate change by tapping the power of the sun.”

While the story above was sparked by scenes and views aside my central PA travels, one of my newest journalism endeavors involves my voice.

I am honored, humbled, and so grateful to share… that my freelance writing for StateImpact Pennsylvania, Climate Solutions and WITF has morphed into freelance radio hosting as well.

I’ll be popping up on the radio dial occasionally as a freelance on-air host for Morning Edition (5-9 a.m.) and All Things Considered (4-6 p.m.). For this lifelong journalist, it’s a dream come true. (And still a bit surreal.) I have the highest respect for WITF and NPR—what I consider to be the purest, most ethical, trusted journalism happening today.

It’s also been a wonderful return to my broadcast roots, which include a previous combined 20 years in radio and/or television news. But writing is still in my blood too, and I’ll be able to continue freelance writing for numerous magazines. I’m thankful for long-standing relationships of 10 years or more, writing for nearly every issue of Celebrate Gettysburg and Susquehanna Style magazines.

Heartfelt thanks to everyone who has supported, read, listened to, watched, mentored, and guided my journalism journey over the years, to this exciting new chapter. That includes YOU as a reader of this monthly enewsletter–thanks for subscribing and supporting/reading freelance journalism.

WITF-FM Harrisburg is at 89.5, and anyone can listen online at witf.org. I look forward to keeping you company, across the airwaves!