Green Sanctuary Program
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Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship
Green Sanctuary Program |
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Once upon a quiet evening . . . The first BUF Simplicity Circle struck upon a wonderful idea . . . The Green Sanctuary Program is a nation-wide UU program that encourages UU congregations to put into practice its Seventh Principle as promoted by the Unitarian Universalist Ministry For The Earth (UUMFE). Originally known as the Seventh Principle Project of the UUA, the Green Sanctuary Program is a means by which congregations can work toward "focusing on the theological, spiritual and ethical aspects of human activities that affect the health and sustainability of the living earth." The GSP requires that each participating congregation complete 12 tasks in four focus areas. The focus areas are 1) Worship and Celebration, 2) Religious Education, 3) Environmental Justice and 4) Sustainable Living. Each church is required to conduct an environmental audit that reviews its activities in each of the four areas and come up with projects related to each focus area. A plan is developed around these 12 projects and is submitted to the UUMFE as an application for candidacy. Once the plan has been completed, running between one to two years, the voting membership of the congregation must vote on its application for accreditation and submit the completed plan to the UUMFE for certification as a Green Sanctuary Program. The accreditation application is filed and, hopefully, approved by the UUMFE. The current BUF GSP Committee has been working diligently to come up with 12 projects that will provide all members of the congregation a way to participate. The team's twelve projects run the range from simple to complex. They are designed to allow members to participate at whatever level they can, knowing that many members are limited in time, ability and resources. They may attend one environmental workshop, buy fundraising products or change out some of their household light bulbs for the compact florescent bulbs. They will also have the opportunity to become involved in larger projects including political activism, research, project development and educational functions. and begin building the necessary foundation for a truly, indepth earth-conscious and earth-centered philosopy that guides our footsteps forward, stepping lightly and walking in a sacred manner in this Sanctuary we call Earth . . . Green Sanctuary Coordinators Linda Fels and Deb Cruz |
