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.
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