Starr King UU - December Earth Ministry

Earth Ministry at Starr King Church is off to a good start! We met for the first time to learn about the Green Sanctuary program. So what is the Green Sanctuary program? It is an accreditation process sponsored by the independent UUA affiliate called Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth. The Program invites congregations to:

• Build awareness of the significance and complexity of environmental issues
• Encourage personal lifestyle changes
• Engage in community action on environmental issues
• Strengthen the connection between spiritual practice
and Earth consciousness
• Work to heal environmental injustices

After establishing a charter, the first steps of the process are to assess where we are right now through an environmental audit. In the audit we look at our facility, current management practices such as recycling or grounds maintenance and programs such as religious education and worship. We also have an opportunity to examine our own environmental awareness and practices. If you are in charge of a specific area of the church, we invite your participation. For example, what kind of disposable products are used in the kitchen? Once the audit is complete, we will develop our plan of action of twelve activities in four separate areas:

• Worship and Spiritual Practice
• Religious Education
• Environmental justice
• Sustainable living

By popular request, the next general meetings will be on Sundays. They will be on January 27 and February 24 from 12:30 until 2 p.m. Check your Chalice and the website for updates.