Green Sanctuary

What is the Green Sanctuary project?

The Green Sanctuary program is a challenge by the UUA General Assembly to UU Communities to act in an environmentally friendly way.  To find out more about the UUA's challenge,  check out the UUA's website on the Green Sanctuary program.

What does UUFoM have to do to become a Green Sanctuary?

There are 3 steps to becoming a Green Sanctuary.  

#1 Decide to initiate the candidacy process (congregational vote optional).

#2 Meet the requirements for candidacy & recognition (see below)

#3 Submit for recognition as a Green Sanctuary (congregational vote)

What are the requirements for candidacy & recognition?

To become a candidate: a fellowship or church must submit an application indicating interest along with a $100 application fee; the fellowship must review what recognition will involve and summarize their status in the process as part of this application.  (UUFOM spent a year researching GS before soliciting the vote to proceed with candidacy)

To become recognized: a fellowship or church must complete 12 action items that fall under four different categories with a minimum number of action items under each category (as indicated below):

I. WORSHIP & CELEBRATION (min: 2 items)

II. RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (min: 2 items)

III. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE (min: 2 items)

IV. SUSTAINABLE LIVING (min: 4 items)

An action plan must be prepared and documentation of the completion of the action plan must be submitted following a congregational vote to become a Green Sanctuary.  (This process takes a minimum of one year to complete).

What is our status in regard to the Green Sanctuary?

We are in the second step: We have submitted for candidacy and are in the final stages of completing an action plan much of which has already been completed.  The social justice committee is working toward increasing awareness of and involvement in the Green Sanctuary process and will submit for a congregational vote at the next annual meeting.  

What happens if we do not become a Green Sanctuary?

Just through the exploration of the Green Sanctuary process...

     · We will have improved how our fellowship runs with respect to the environment:  making it more energy conscious, enviro-friendly through recycling and re-using church supplies, etc.  (On a non-environmental level, this includes the financial benefits of a more efficiently-run building).

     · We will have an increased awareness of the organizations and resources in this community to protect the environment.

     · As a congregation, we will have established a voice in this community though involvement in local action in environmental justice. 

     · As a individuals, we will have an increased awareness of our impact on the environment and ways we can individually help.

What happens if we do become a Green Sanctuary?

     · We will be making a congregational statement of commitment to the living out the Seventh Principle through the Green Sanctuary process.

     · The Fellowship will join a greater community of congregations who have committed to the protection of the environment.  

     · We will have a continued awareness & involvement of environmental action going on through the GS program. 

     ·  By adding to the numbers of congregations successfully participating in Green Sanctuary, we will encourage others to become involved in the process.   

How can you personally help protect the environment?

Helping the environment,  starts at home - here are things you can do.  Other things you can do include looking out for laws that affect the environment and letting you congressman know how you feel.

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Midland is recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association as a Welcoming Congregation. We welcome, affirm, promote and celebrate the full participation of all persons in all of our activities without regard to age, gender, sexual orientation, race or any other such category of exclusion.

Please feel free to contact us with any feedback, corrections or questions at jaham@delta.edu