The FUSS Green Sanctuary Program
ACTION PLAN—Winter 2006-07
Following is a list of some projects and activities we would like to accomplish. To meet the Green Sanctuary accreditation requirements set by the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) we must accomplish two activities from each of the first three categories below, and four from Sustainable Living, and two additional activities of our choosing from any category.
This list is a working document; we continue to be open to additional suggestions, and we invite congregational input on setting priorities from this list. Each member of the committee will take responsibility for a specific program or activity. Other members of the congregation are also invited to take on an area of responsibility. Those who take on an area of responsibility will be recruiting others to help in the implementation.
Worship and Celebration
- Emphasize the importance of Environmentalism as a moral priority—in regard to every item on this list
- Work with the Religious Services Committee to designate Earth Day every year as our Earth Day observance
- Include an environmental service annually in the summer series
- Explore earth-spirit statements that might be used to modify our current Bond of Union in our weekly service
- Establish a Peace Pole and Butterfly Garden with plants native to this area
Religious Education & Adult Program
- Support the RE program in their stewardship of Steinmetz Park
- Work with the Adult Program Council to present a series of discussions for Coffee, Crullers, Conversation for Earth Month in April
- Consult with RE to ascertain the inclusion of environmental activities annually
- Encourage wider use of our environmental library—publicize!
- Publicize our collaboration with ECOS and the League of Women Voters to present environmental programs this February
- Participate in the Albany Unitarian Church Earth Day celebration on April 21
Environmental Justice
- Encourage our congregation to join the community Crop Walk in May toward the support of SICM;
- Participate in the ECOS conference on smart growth on Feb. 2, 2007
- Support and collaborate with local conservation organizations such as ECOS, MHLC, LWV Environment Committee, Sierra Club, EANY, etc
- Participate in environmental legislative efforts such as Earth Day-Lobby Day at the State Legislature
- Support the Roots & Wisdom project
- Provide information about environmental threats to indigenous and minority populations
- Provide information to the congregation on what they can do to support environmental initiatives locally, nationally, and internationally
Sustainable Living
- Plan and support a recycling program in our building
- Reduce the amount pf paper used by encouraging sharing of Sunday bulletins and other printed material
- Plan and implement environment-friendly purchasing of paper products, cleaning agents, etc. for our buildings and grounds
- Explore the possibility of purchasing green energy for our building
- Encourage all church groups serving meals to use “real” rather than disposable dishes and dinnerware for congregational events
- Sponsor “Walk or Bike to Church Sunday” on a monthly basis
- Work with the Membership Committee to encourage and help plan car pools to church
- Purchase locally grown foods for congregational events whenever possible
- Encourage congregational involvement in the care and stewardship of building and grounds
- Work with local organizations to make local farm products more available in Schenectady; educate the congregation on the importance of local agriculture
- Continue to provide information to the congregation about environmental sustainability at the household level, including purchasing wind power and other sustainable energy, and reducing energy use
- Continue to provide information to the congregation about environmental sustainability at the household level, including using environment-friendly cleaning agents, lawn and garden techniques, and “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”
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