Green Sanctuary 

In collaboration with USG members, we work to integrate the Unitarian Universalist 7th principle more fully into the life of our congregation in ways that touch our community and influence the daily decisions of each USG member.

 Our Goals 

• To build awareness of environmental issues within the congregation
• To generate commitment for personal lifestyle changes
• To engage the congregation in community action on environmental issues
• To connect spiritual practice with environmental consciousness
• To build awareness of environmental injustices and work to rectify them
  
  

The Green Sanctuary Program

The UU Ministry for Earth describes a Green Sanctuary as “a congregation that lives out its commitment to the Earth by creating a sustainable lifestyle for its members as individuals and as a faith community.” The program begins with an environmental audit and continues with congregational projects in four areas: worship, religious education, environmental justice, and sustainable living. Successful programs are recognized with accreditation by the UU Ministry for Earth, a distinction we expect to receive this month. Accreditation will not represent the final stage of our sustainability efforts, however, but rather a new phase of activism with a broader focus.
 

Congregational Projects

Some of our projects have been an important part of the life of our congregation for many years, while others have grown out of emerging environmental issues. Projects include, but are not limited
to . . .

Worship and Celebration

• Sunday worship services focused on respecting the Earth
• Earth-based celebrations (solstice, equinox)

Religious Education

• Course offerings from the Northwest Earth Institute
• Children’s semi-annual landscaping and plantings on USG grounds
• Field trips
• Environmental Resources Table during Hospitality Hour

Environmental Justice

• Tioga Mural Art Project in North Philadelphia (contact Joe Walsh)
• Northwest Philadelphia chapter of RecycleNOW (contact Carolyn Scott)
• Restoring USG/Moneshone watershed (contact Kati Parker)
• Fairmont Park maintenance project

Sustainable Living

• Energy-saving measures for USG (contact Al Parker)
• Selling locally produced honey and supporting urban beekeeping (contact Anaiis Salles)
• Purchasing alternative sources of energy for USG (contact Joe Walsh)
• Restoring and maintaining USG's landscape (contact Al Parker)
• Publishing "Green Tips" in weekly USG announcements (contact Kristina Victoreen)
  

 Each project is an opportunity for personal involvement as well as a springboard for raising environmental awareness that pushes beyond USG's walls into the larger community.

Environmental Activism

We consider activism to include educating ourselves and others on current environmental issues as well as taking direct action. The Philadelphia region is brimming with environmental organizations that are tackling the big issues of the day. The Green Sanctuary Committee partners with these organizations on several congregational projects and seeks to develop more partnerships.

Of course, none of this can happen without your support. Whether it be volunteering on active projects, suggesting new projects, or just talking to others about the importance of sound environmental stewardship, consider getting involved. Questions or concerns? Let us know.

UUA 7th Principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.

Upcoming Events

Friends of the Sanctuary

~ Green Sanctuary Earth Institute of Pennsylvania

~ Northwest Earth Institute, our partner in innovative RE programs

Want to Help in the Gulf of Mexico?

http://uuministryforearth.org/node/126 

UU Ministry for the Earth has a full page of individual response options. 

GSC is organizing a long-range response to the Gulf oil spill. Stay tuned! 

Food Stuff

~ Summer Institute for youth at The Food Project

Green Jobs

~ Ag & Education jobs

Pesticide Alternatives

~ Beyond Pesticides
~ IPM Institute
~ Weeding with goats (PDF)

Recycling Resources

~ Earth911

Committee Members

Anaiis Salles, Committee Chair
Will Bernstein
Brad Crawford

Coreen Davis

Trish Gallagher

Nicole Haines
Gail Mershon
Lee Meinecke
Al Parker
Katie Parker
Carolyn Welch Scott, Scribe
Dennis Strain
Marietta Tanner
Kristina Victoreen
Joe Walsh