Green Sanctuary Goals

Build awareness of societal environmental issues among UU's

• Awareness precedes Attitude change precedes behavioral change.
• Study (Covenant) Circles on Responsible Consumption or Simplicity.

Generate commitment for personal lifestyle changes

• Think globally and act locally

Motivate UU's to community action on environmental issues.

• Personal action is turned to community action.
• All church projects of environmental significance.

Build connection between spiritual practice and environmental consciousness.

• Provide environmental services, speakers and RE series for children and adults.

Build awareness of and rectify environmental injustice.

• Speak up for poor and politically disenfranchised people to assist them in maintaining their rights.
• Provide support for the entire web of life that is being systematically disassembled.
• Green Sanctuary Action Items

Energy Conservation and Environmental Practices.

• Conduct a church energy audit every 5 years.
• Challenge the congregation to achieve a targeted improvement in energy use (include transportation in the discussion)

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

• Weigh  trash for a least one typical month and set a target for  reducing waste.
• Adopt a green purchasing policy for the church
• Adopt a policy of requiring use of washable china, glasses, and silverware for the congregation.

Church Communication

• Set up a church information center (in church/or website) providing practical information regarding environmental practices at church at in the home.
• Include a Green Corner in the church newsletter including tips and updates on environmental activities.
• Learn  earth-based hymns, perform skits, or use other creative ways to keep environmental issues before the congregation each month of the year.
• Hold a ceremony  each year honoring those that have participated in Green Sanctuary activities. By definition, the whole church would be  recognized.

Religious  Education

• Teach at east one children's environmental curriculum per year.
• Conduct Study (Covenant) Circles on Responsible Consumption or Simplifying lifestyles
• Lead field at least one field trip per year to a power plant, recycling  facility, landfill, sewage treatment plant, water supply facility, or organic farm etc.

Worship

• Dedicate at least one Sunday-worship per year to the environment.
• Request the  program committee to incorporate environmental prayers, meditations, readings, or songs into our regular worship services.

Environmental Justice

• Commit to a partnership with a local environmental justice organization.
• Independently  or collaboratively, pass an all-church resolution committing to an all-church environmental project for a year and carry it out.
• Offer at least one environmental justice speaker, workshop, or program each year. 

Green Sanctuary Recognition

• Document formation of a Green Sanctuary standing committee with a standing chair with intent to seek recognition as a Green Sanctuary church.
• Demonstrate completion of one accomplishment in each of the first 3 action areas.
• Apply for candidacy at the beginning of the church year and work toward the completion of the remaining 14 activities.
• At the end of one full church year of candidacy, the church applies for  accreditation as a Green Sanctuary Church. The congregation must vote to submit the application and submit a record of the  vote.
• A formal letter requesting application for recognition must include the "Measuring Your Progress" report card.
• An accredited church will receive a Green Banner for display in the church and green lapel pins for delegates attending annual General Assembly meetings.
• Rectification for Green Sanctuary status must be submitted every 5 years with records being kept in the interim of program status. 

Visit the Seventh Principle Project that spawned the Green Sanctuary Program.