Becoming a Green Sanctuary:
Application for Green Sanctuary Accreditation
May 20, 2009
Application for Green Sanctuary Accreditation
| Congregation Name: | Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento (UUSS) |
| Address: | 2425 Sierra Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95825 |
| Web site: | uuss.org |
| Green Sanctuary contact: | Joan Rubenson or Christine Bailey |
| Address: | 2425 Sierra Boulevard, Sacramento, CA 95825 |
| Phone: | 916-483-9283 |
| Email: | office@uuss.org |
| Minister: | Douglas Kraft |
Congregational Vote
Attached is documentation of the May 17, 2009 vote by the congregation to seek Green Sanctuary accreditation and the specific statement on which the congregation voted.
Completion of Program Activities
Following are summaries of the projects the congregation has completed since submitting our Application for Candidacy. Just after the title of each project listed below we indicate which of the Green Sanctuary focus areas the project addresses.
1. Earth-related Sunday services (Worship)
The UUSS ministers and worship committee continue to regularly use song, prayer, meditation and sermons to express and investigate the intertwining of humans, all other living beings and Earth. In April 2008, our minister emeritus, Eileen Karpeles, devoted the entire Sunday service before Earth Day to a celebration of nature including song and testimonials from members of the congregation. The service included a tribute to long-time UUSS member Mike Weber who was a environmental activist in the Sacramento region for many years.
On October 19, 2008 our Rev. Doug Kraft gave an earth-based service titled Religious Experience: Paradise and the Struggle for Harmony.
Rev. Kraft and our Rev. Jones will continue to include Earth-related messages in future sermons.
2. Labyrinth (Worship)
An interest group will work with the Vision in Action team and the Property Management committee to discuss the possibility of developing a natural labyrinth on the UUSS grounds. Meanwhile the congregation has obtained a portable labyrinth which is being used to celebrate Earth-based celebrations. In addition to the solstices and equinoxes, the labyrinth is now used to celebrate the neo-pagan festival of Imbolc, mid way between winter solstice and spring equinox.
3. Provide Earth-Based Curriculum for 2008-2009 Church Year (Religious Education)
We have developed and are currently teaching an Earth-based curriculum for our RE children, preschool through grade 6. Our curriculum is being drawn from sources including: "We are all Connected, 7th Principle Butterfly and Creepy Crawlies RE Lessons" for children of all ages, created by Stefani Scott. As we explore the nature world with our children, we believe we are building awareness that all living things are interconnected as stated in our 7th UU Principle, Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
In addition, the children, youth, and adults in Religious Education are exploring a wide variety of environmental concerns. Just some of the subjects studied are: famous environmentalists, energy sources and use, recycling, pollution and pesticides, changing our environmental behaviors, and how UUSS is helping our environment. By the end of this school year we should all become more able to be better stewards of our Earth.
4. Green Tips (Sustainable Living, Religious Education)
Information drawn and condensed from David Gershon's Low Carbon Diet; A 30-Day Program to Lose 5000 Pounds is being provided to the congregation via our monthly newsletter, our UUSS.org Green Sanctuary web link, and on small colorful notes provided at our Green Sanctuary Sunday information table. Included in our informational articles are personal green action tips submitted by the congregation. Distribution of this information helps us all learn how to live more lightly on this Earth, and it generates interesting conversation at our Sunday lunches.
5. Establishment of UUSS Website Link for Green Sanctuary (Supports all UUSS Green Sanctuary programs)
A Green Sanctuary website link has been added to our UUSS website. It contains beautiful pictures of our Green Sanctuary activities, information about green programs, "News" of current activities and meetings, the UUSS energy audit and environmental assessment, a description status of our Green Sanctuary projects, "Green tips," and links to other relevant websites such as UU Ministry for Earth and California's UU Legislative Ministry. The excellent website helps us to communicate, educate, and collaborate more effectively.
6. Northwest Earth Institute Discussion Groups (Religious Education, Sustainable Living, Environmental Justice
Discussion guides books are provided by NWEI. NWEI programs encourage participants to explore their values, attitudes, and actions through discussion with other people. These programs are organized around the principles of an Earth-centered ethic promoting individual responsibility for the Earth and the practice of engaged simplicity to enrich life and reduce personal impact on the planet.
These discussion groups have been popular with the congregation. In 2008 and 2009 five discussion groups were held: Voluntary Simplicity (twice), Global Warming: ChangingCO2 Course (twice), and Exploring Deep Ecology. Each of these five discussion groups met an average of eight times and had an average of eight participants. Participants reported lifestyle changes and deeper connections with nature and one another.
7. Interdependent Web of Life Science Presentation (Religious Education, Sustainable Living, Environmental Justice
On April 27, 2008 Nathan Kraft, a Ph.D. candidate at UC Berkeley, did a presentation for the congregation on the topic of biodiversity and its relationship to our interconnected web of life. Mr. Kraft was well qualified to do this because his Ph.D. work includes research on tropical forest diversity in the Ecuadorian Amazon at a site that is part of the Smithsonian Institution's forest dynamic plots which are located in one of the most diverse forests in the world.
Over 100 congregation members attended this presentation which helped us to understand what it will take to restore the health of Earth and allow humans to live in a sustainable and compassionate manner. It generated a lot of discussion within the congregation and inspired one member to begin a NWEI discussion group on Voluntary Simplicity.
8. Thirty Day Local Food Challenge (Sustainable Living)
The goal of this project was to encourage participants to eat locally grown fruits and vegetable. The project scope focused on a 30 day challenge to eat fruits and vegetables produced within 100 miles of Sacramento. This is sometimes referred to as the "100 Mile Diet" and those who follow this diet are called "locavores." Eating local foods helps reduce transportation and other costs, and supports the local and regional economy. Materials for the project included a beautiful brochure and website information about local food sources, such as community supported agriculture (CSAs), farmers markets, coops, local farms, local food producers. This project took place in summer 2008. It helped us to learn about and form relationships with our local farmers and to have a greater appreciation for the bounty our area produces. It also helped many to shift to a more vegetarian diet and to eat more healthfully. Plus it was lots of fun!
9. Composting Workshops (Sustainable Living)
The benefits of composting (and how to build an effective pile) were presented in workshops on consecutive Saturdays in March 2008, by Annie Kempees, a University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener in Sacramento County. The workshops were open to the entire congregation resulting in two very good gatherings of interested people. One of our long-range plan goals is to “model financial and environmental stewardship of the facilities and grounds."
10. Vegetarian Main Meals - Adult Enrichment Class (Religious Education, Sustainable Living, Environmental Justice)
This adult enrichment class was held in October and November of 2008 and was completely organized with food and materials prepared by Glory Wicklund. Participants explored how meatless meals can lead to further greening of the earth. At each class the participants were given large samples of two main dishes plus an appetizer and were given recipes for each dish to take home. Discussions about cooking techniques, prep time, grains, beans, vegan cooking and Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce and fruit deliveries took place. This vegan/vegetarian cooking class was a wonderful experience and many of those who attended the classes have a much better understanding of vegetarian and vegan food and how wonderfully tasty as well as healthy it can be. This class will influence our larger community.
11. American River Parkway Stewardship of UUSS "Mile" (Sustainable Living)
We act as stewards of one mile of the American River Parkway by committing to the American River Parkway Foundation to perform at least 20 hours of volunteer service on the UUSS mile per calendar quarter. This year UUSS adopted a mile that is close to our campus so that more people can participate. Once each month we hold a Second Saturday cleanup of this mile of the parkway. This effort is publicized in our weekly and monthly newsletters, on our web site, and on our Green Sanctuary bulletin board so that all who are interested may participate.
12. UULM Low Carbon Challenge (Environmental Justice, Sustainable Living)
We joined with our California UU Legislative Ministry in the effort for UUs in California to lose 1,000,000 pounds of carbon emissions by Earth Day 2009. The UUSS participated by forming two "Carbon Rings" - groups of households who met to build community and help each other decide how to can reduce our carbon footprints.
Participants in the two Carbon Rings lost a total of 117,477 of carbon emissions per year and committed to reducing emissions by another 48,710 in the future. Friendships were formed and participants shared their emissions-saving ideas with other friends and acquaintances both in the congregation and in other aspects of their lives.
13. Volunteer Work for the Environmental Council of Sacramento (ECOS) (Environmental Justice, Sustainable Living)
On October 26, 2008 UUSS member and ECOS representative Eric Ross met with members of the congregation to discuss opportunities to volunteer with this organization. The mission of ECOS is to achieve regional and community sustainability and a healthy environment for existing and future residents. ECOS is a network/consortium of environmental advocacy groups in the Sacramento area who are involved in, among other things, sponsoring Earth Day celebrations locally and involving themselves in environmental advocacy before local, County, State and federal agencies to protect and save the remaining farm and wilderness in the area along with promoting smart growth and the infill of already developed lands in Sacramento and surrounding counties. Representatives from UUSS have coordinated with ECOS on Earth Day celebrations and in environmental advocacy before the Sacramento City Council.
14. Vegetarian Dinner for Family Promise Guests (Environmental Justice, Sustainable Living)
Along with other churches the UUSS provides housing and meals for homeless families as part of Sacramento's "Family Promise" program. Homeless guests stay at the UUSS campus four times each year for one week. The Green Sanctuary program provided a vegetarian dinner for these guests in July 2008 and January 2009.
The second vegetarian night (January 19, 2009) was not as well received as the first this past July. Family Promise Guests are individuals who have been dealing with stressful situations (some for their whole lives) and foods that differ greatly from their own experiences can add to the stress for some individuals. For this reason, the vegetarian night will be discontinued.
15. Solar Cooking Demonstration. (Religious Education, Sustainable Living)
On June 29, 2008 members of the congregation provided a solar cooking demonstration after Sunday services. It was a great success on a beautiful summer day with congregation members enjoying many delicious foods such as chocolate chip cookies, stews, and other treats.
16. Recycle Cell Phones and Printer Cartridges (Sustainable Living)
Beginning in March 2008 we provide containers on campus for the congregation to recycle cell phones and printer cartridges. Also a notice is placed in our weekly newsletter - the Blue Sheet.
17. Updating Lighting, Sound and Wiring in the Main Hall. (Sustainable Living)
We revamped the lighting, sound and wiring in our Sanctuary in a manner that saves energy. We will save energy by replacing one of the old fixtures (2 x T12 lamps – 1.5” in diameter) with two new fixtures that have (1 x T8 lamps – 1” in diameter). It is estimated that we will save about 20% of the power consumed by the old lamps. The total estimated saving is 13,845 kWh per year. In addition to these factors, the T8 lamp life expectancy is twice that of the T12 lamps, so the materials cost is lower and the amount of material to be disposed of is reduced. We will also save a significant amount of money and labor by changing the lamps less frequently.
18. Educate UUSS on Reducing Carbon Footprints and Other Environmental Issues (Religious Education)
We promote sustainable living practices in our UUSS congregation by setting up an information table on Sundays for the purpose of distributing "green" reminder ribbons to attach to nametags and also to distribute information on how to reduce our carbon footprints. Many members now where these green ribbons on their nametags and they have drawn a lot of attention to the Green Sanctuary Program. Another popular was the handheld fans that were distributed to help people cool themselves without the need for energy-using air conditioning. This project began in March 2008. Information is distributed monthly and a joyful, caring attitude toward our beautiful Earth and its fragile nature will be fostered. A Green Sanctuary table is present on most Sundays with the information changing from week to week.
19. Unicycle (Free Cycling) (Sustainable Living)
This is a venue for want ads in which people advertise to give away items they no longer use and wish to give away and other people can advertise items that they are looking for. This project, which is ongoing, relates to recycling and the conservation of materials.
20. The Ten Tree Project (Environmental Justice, Sustainable Living)
We planted two trees on our grounds during the "Interfaith Tree Planting Ceremony" on Arbor Day, March 7, 2008. We will partner with the California Interfaith Power & Light (CIPL) to encourage other faith communities to accept the challenge of planting ten trees at churches and homes. This project promotes awareness of the value of trees to absorb CO2 gases and reduce the adverse impact on global warming and supports the community program to plant five million trees by 2015. We also collaborated with the Sacramento Tree Foundation on this project. Timeline is continuous as we care for the newly planted trees and explore possibility of planting more trees.
21. Kitchen Reusables (Sustainable Living)
Reusables for food service at UU events. Although UU food service relied on "reusable" supplies for decades we changed to disposables because of the convenience of clean up, particularly dishwashing. The Green Sanctuary committee influenced discussion about changing the supplies used for meal service at UU events that ties in with the UU principle of interconnected web and sustainability. Project plans to date include the continuous education and publication to encourage reusables for as many events as possible. The Reusable Committee will continue to work on developing a "reusables policy" with specific procedures for implementing the return to reusables and to recruit volunteers for dishwashing and maintenance of the tablecloths. This program is operating. We had an excellent dish washing crew for the Harvest Fest on November 1, 2008, and members work on many congregation events to make them as "green" as possible.
22. Partnering with Two Interfaith Organizations (Environmental Justice, Sustainable Living)
UUSS is a member of the California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL), Sacramento chapter, and the Interfaith Service Bureau of Sacramento (ISB) in keeping with the UU position of interconnected web of joining together with other faith groups to address common issues. Green Sanctuary members are active members with these groups and contribute to their regular meetings and events. The objective is to encourage faith communities to become informed about their responsibility to the planet and encourage their congregations to take action to expand citizen support of global warming issues and legislation.
UU Green Sanctuary members assisted in the community Earth Day table for CIPL in April 2008. On December 4, 2008 , members of UUSS Green Sanctuary were honored to be recognized as a nominee for 'outstanding achievement in Global Warming Education" and awarded a framed certificate during the Annual CIPL Energy Oscar Ceremony & Dinner that was held in Berkeley, CA. These interfaith partnerships are an ongoing effort and are coordinated by Green Sanctuary committee members.
23. Decorate Reusable Shopping Bags for Sale to the Congregation (Sustainable Living)
RE classes decorated reusable shopping bags on Easter morning 2008 with festive environmentally friendly drawings and messages that were sold to the congregation to raise money for RE building improvements. We believe this helps raise awareness about saving the Earth’s resources.
24. Partner with Soil Born Farm Urban Agricultural Project (Environmental Justice, Sustainable Living)
Soil Born Farms Urban Agricultural Project is a certified organic farm in the City of Sacramento that models and teaches sustainable agricultural methods. We shared half of the June 2008 Sunday services' offering with them, invited them to speak to the congregation about what they do, and learned how we can possibly use a small section of our own UUSS land to raise a community garden. Their activities include improving food access in underserved neighborhoods in Sacramento, a social justice goal that we hope to emulate over the next two years as we work through our future visioning and strategic planning process.
25. Green Eggs (Environmental Justice, Sustainable Living, Religious Education)
In June 2008 we demonstrated information to help congregational members choose eggs produced from chickens which have been treated humanely under environmentally safe conditions. This project was educational in that it taught people how to interpret terms such as organic, free-range, cage free, natural or organic on the egg carton so that they may purchase the "greenest" eggs.
26. Vegetarian Cookbook (Sustainable Living)
A Vegetarian Cookbook resulted from Green Sanctuary discussions about how to make it easier for individuals and families to introduce more vegetables into their meals, how to induce meat eaters to try a non-carnivorous meal, and in general eat healthier and at the same time be kinder to the planet.
UUSS members and friends submitted their favorite vegetarian and vegan recipes that include salads, soups, many main meals, breads and desserts. The 88 recipes are diverse, some with ethnic seasonings, some perfect to fix for a large gathering, and all with easy to read instructions. This Green Sanctuary fundraiser sold cookbooks for $15 each and raised over $1,000 which will be used for future green projects.
Accomplishment of Program Goals
Following is a description of how UUSS has worked toward each of the five Green Sanctuary Program goals.
1. To build awareness of societal environmental issues among UUs
This is demonstrated in projects listed above (Projects 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 18, 22, and 25).
2. To generate commitment for personal lifestyle change
This demonstrated in projects listed above (Projects 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, 13, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26).
In addition, we've had many members report lifestyle changes. Some examples are:
"Always turn off the computer, television and lights in any room being left for more than one hour."
"My very favorite Green Sanctuary effort which may not be a huge carbon saving endeavor is: During my daily walks, I bring along one of my hoard of saved old grocery bags and pick up trash along my walk and recycle what I can when I get home."
"I dry my laundry on a rack. After the clothes have dried, I will use the dryer for a few minutes to “shake things out” rather than ironing them."
"I wear clothes to death (often hand-me-downs), drive cars into the ground, and in general try to live by the old maxim: “Use it up, wear it out, make do, do without.” Additionally, I always turn off the computer, television, and lights in any room being left for more than one hour. Besides sparing the earth’s resources, this effort to live simply opens up space in my life for more on-purpose activities."
"I help the environment, animals, and my own health by eating mostly vegan and minimally-processed foods."
"We installed a ground mount solar unit electrical power unit in our backyard that ties directly into the SMUD power grid, and is designed to cover the entire annual power consumption of our home. Nearly 50% of the total cost of the unit was covered by governmental and SMUD rebates."
"I removed large areas of lawn and put in wood chips, and I am trying to only have drought tolerant plants that suit our Mediterranean climate."
"I got a push mower and quit using a gasoline one. I now have a bicycle, too!"
3. To motivate UUs to community action on environmental issues
This is demonstrated in Projects 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 18, 20, 22, and 24.
4. To build a connection between spiritual practice and environmental consciousness
This is demonstrated in Projects 1, 2, 3, 6, 20, and 22.
5. To build awareness of and rectify environmental injustices
This is demonstrated in Projects 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 18, 20, 22, 24, and 25.
Program Evaluation
While many UUSS members have been environmental activists for years, the Green Sanctuary Program helped to focus the care and concern of our congregation for the Earth and to make it a high priority. We now see the care and concern for our Earth reflected even more in most UUSS programs. Examples of this and the positive changes that have occurred are provided in the previous sections of this application.
The congregation's aspirations for continuing to live out our Green Sanctuary commitment are reflected in several areas. Our ministers have said that they will continue to include Earth-based messages in future sermons and worship services. There is great enthusiasm and planning for a large UUSS garden project which would involve young and old and produce vegetable, herbs, and flowers to share within our congregation and perhaps with others in the community who are less fortunate. People are conducting a survey of the congregation as to its wishes regarding a garden, as well as investigating needs for lumber, soil/compost mixture, fencing cost, bylaws for gardens, and UUSS’s water company’s information and estimate of water cost. There are to date 88 participants in the Garden Survey and of those participants all except one were positive about the idea of having a UUSS garden. Some projects will flow from the garden such as RE involvement (perhaps a butterfly garden?), an herb garden for CUUPS, the potential sharing of fresh vegetables within the congregation as well as with guests of Family Promise and other groups.
The congregation is currently developing a long range plan for our campus and considering many possible options for making our buildings more energy efficient including such things as new roof exterior insulation, installing lath studs and high density insulation covered by wallboard on the interior concrete walls, and where natural light is desired - frame and install energy efficient glass, removing and replacing wooden framed exterior windows and doors with energy efficient windows and doors, replacing our energy inefficient heating system with an energy efficient HVAC system, removing some of our lawn/weeds and installing appropriate irrigation (meaning not sprinklers) and covering area with mulch or decorative aggregate, removing high maintenance plants, planting drought tolerant plants. We have already reduced our water usage significantly by letting the lawn/weeds on large parts of our campus dry and go dormant during the summer season. Our Property Management Committee will continue to incorporate environmentally friendly solutions as they work with Vision in Action Representatives to plan needed changes and repairs to the UUSS buildings and grounds.
The congregation will continue to work with the California Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry, the Environmental Council of Sacramento, the American River Parkway Foundation, California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL), and the Interfaith Service Bureau of Sacramento on issues related to climate change, sustainable living and environmental justice. There is interest in organizing another "Solar Sunday" this summer and a possibility of organizing some kind of Carpool Bulletin Board.