Resources available for Unitarian Universalists in Vermont
Do you know that the call for justice in the community that is central to the Unitarian Universalist faith has been a strong driving force for them to lead efforts to address environmental issues?
Your seventh principle, that it is your duty to “affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part,” has been the basis of a project that recognizes congregations that really work to follow that mission.
The Green Sanctuary Program is one of your biggest resources
It
has five equally important goals:
• To build awareness of societal environmental issues among UU’s;
• To generate commitment for personal lifestyle changes;
• To motivate UU’s to community action on environmental issues;
• To build a connection between spiritual practice and environmental
consciousness;
• To build awareness and rectify environmental injustices
Your congregation can actually apply to be accredited as a “green sanctuary” by planning activities incorporating environmental awareness and action into worship and celebration, religious education, environmental justice, and sustainable living. For more information, check out www.uuaspp.org On the website you will also find additional resources like an energy audit worksheet and examples of environmental sermons.
Many Unitarian Universalist congregations in Vermont have gotten involved. Several, interviewed by Middlebury College students in fall 2004 as part of a project with Vermont Interfaith Power and Light, provide good examples of what you can do.
The Champlain Valley Unitarian Society in Middlebury has begun to get involved in the Green Sanctuary Program. They recycle, buy energy efficient lights, and drink Fair Trade Coffee. They have even had an energy audit done.
The First Universalist Society in Windsor County puts on services specifically about the environment and global warming, incorporates these issues into their religious education programs, recycles, uses energy efficient lights, and has a committee set up to monitor the congregation’s progress in meeting its goal of becoming a Green Sanctuary.
The Unitarian Church of Montpelier has become certified as a Green Sanctuary. They have services and educational programs about sustainability and a sustainability group that monitors the church and encourages them to keep getting better at living up to its title as a Green Sanctuary. The use biodegradable cups, recycled paper, and compact fluorescent light bulbs.
See resources for other religious groups:
American
Baptist
Episcopal
Jewish
Roman Catholic
Society of Friends (Quakers)
United Methodist
Unitarian Universalist
Zen Buddhist
Questions or Comments? Contact us!
Interfaith Environmental
Awareness and Action in Vermont:
A
Service Learning Project with Vermont Interfaith Power & Light