UUSS Wins the CIPL Advocacy Energy Oscar

UUSS was honored to receive an "Energy Oscar for Outstanding Achievenment Advocacy for Environmental Stewardship” at the third annual California Interfaith Power and Light (CIPL) Energy Oscars ceremony held at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco on November 10, 2009. This year's award for advocacy was shared by UUSS and Unitarian Universalist Church of Riverside.

CIPL is a network of over 500 congregations who aim to be faithful stewards of the earth by responding to global warming through the promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency, and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

In keeping with the Hollywood motif the Energy Oscar program featured a green carpet, musical entertainment and stimulating commentary. Rev Canon Sally G. Bingham, Founder and President of CIPL and environmental minister at Grace Cathedral, kicked off the Energy Oscars with a warm welcome and opening comments before turning the microphone over to Rabbi Michael Lerner, the evening's emcee. Rabbi Lerner is rabbi of Beyt Tikkun Synagogue, editor of Tikkun Magazine — a progressive Jewish and interfaith magazine, co-chair of the Network of Spiritual Progressives (NSP) and author of Left Hand of God. For entertainment, Allis Druffel, CIPL Southern California Outreach Director, sang "May" and "A Song For Nell" — two 19th century French art songs which honor humanity’s intimate connection to nature. Allis was accompanied on piano by Tony Price. The Energy Oscars were presented by Rev Bingham and Susan Stephenson, Executive Director of CIPL. They were assisted by representatives from last year's winning congregations.

Energy Oscars were given in four areas: Education, Green Building, Energy Efficiency and Advocacy. CIPL assembled a short presentation for each of the finalists highlighting their impressive achievements through photos and words. The Energy Oscar for Education went to Camp Stevens, San Diego which is operated by the Episcopal Dioceses of Los Angeles and San Diego. Campbell United Church of Christ won the Oscar for Green Building  and Congregation Emanu-El, San Francisco won for Energy Efficiency. And in the first Energy Oscar tie, UUSS and UU Riverside received the Oscars for Advocacy.

The evening closed with a special performance by Will Parish, a.k.a. Earthyman, titled "RRRR: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Reinvent!"

Advocacy for Healing The Earth

When Green Sanctuary was notified that UUSS was a finalist in this year's Energy Oscar competition, Theresa Hammond and Peter Kosar created a presentation titled "Advocacy for Healing the Earth" with the help of Barbara Hopkins, Kate Mullinger, Pat Naylor and Joan Rubenson that was sent to CIPL for their consideration and use during the Energy Oscars. This presentation summarizes all of the great things UUSS has done over the past couple years as a true advocate for healing the earth. Be sure to check the presentation out by clicking here.

For more information about CIPL and the Energy Oscars, see http://interfaithpower.org.