Our faith motivated congregation proposed and applied to the UUA for Green Sanctuary status.  

   There are 4 areas for action.

For more information  on UUA Green Sanctuary Program  click here

    Worship and celebrate

1. Support Wheel of the Year's eight seasonal events.
2. Celebrate Earth Day 2010 

 Participate in Environmental Social Justice

3. Partner with Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) on  local environmental justice issues that impact the community

4. Partner with two church communities and a neighborhood community.  The goal is to lower energy useage, facilitated by all three communities  participating in the MN Energy Challenge.

Use Sustainable Practices

5.   Bus, Bike, Hoof 'n Carpool
6.   Improve recycling at our church
7.   Develop a comprehensive energy strategy
8.   Establish sustainable purchasing and operating policies
9.  Conserve water useage and improve drinking water

Enrich our Religious Education

10. Update our K-5 Religious Education curriculum.
11.  Eat Ethically
12. Provide environmental topic focused discussion group.

 Descriptions of the 12 actions are listed below in each category.     

 Worship and celebrate

 WHEEL OF THE YEAR CELEBRATIONS 
                                            

Honor the turn of the seasons and human's relationship with the natural world.  These events, which occur on equinoxes, cross quarter days and solstices use ritual, games, songs, stories and are appropriate to all ages. For 2010 dates  click here. 
Contact person Morgan Rock  or Deb Cash

WINTER SOLSTICE Worship Services are a rich celebration to acknowledge our connection with the earth, and it's history, the universerse and the community on this the longest night of the year.  We reach out beyond our own congregation, in this, one of our largest services of the year and also in  a small family based participatory service.  
Contact person  Hannah Mitchell

EARTH DAY
                    

Celebrate First Universalist's 7th Earth Day and the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 25th, 2010 . 
Contact person Bob Friedman

Participate in Environmental Justice

Partner with MN UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA) on local Environmental justice issues that impact the community. 
Contact person Cecelia Newton

Partner with two church and one neighborhood community.  The goal is to lower energy useage, facilitated by all three communities participating in the MN Energy Challenge.  

Use Sustainable Practices

BUS .. BIKE.. HOOF'N..  CARPOOL  

Consume less resources! Use alternative transportation, sign up for a carpool to church and/or events  
Contact person : Roberta Avidor

   IMPROVE RECYCLING AT CHURCH
               

 

Start organic recycling. 

Provide education to church members so that organic (composting) and recyling work. 

Our organic recycling (composting) is industrial heat strength and can take things that normal residential outdoor composting cannot handle.

Reduce solid waste. 

For a complete description of  the in's and outs of ORGANICS (Industrial composting) click the link.  

For table plastic recycle code sheet, click here .

Contact person: Jean Buckley

 

DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE ENERGY STRATEGY
         

Prioritize & work on recommendations from the First Universalist Excel Energy  audit 2007.
Contact person: John Saxhaug

 ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING & OPERATING POLICIES

Our Goal is to be fiscally responsible AND reduce our impact on the earth!
Contact persons: Betsy Allis, Shawn Hartfeldt

 

 CONSERVE WATER USEAGE AND IMPROVE DRINKING WATER
                        

Look at ways to improve taste of drinking water & save water at church

Enrich Our Religious Eduction  

UPDATE OUR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CURRICULUM

Review and develop K-5th curriculum to address environmental related themes and 2nd, 6th and 7th UU principles. Help our children to strengthen their passion for environmental justice.  Contact: Cecelia Newton.

 EAT ETHICALLY  (Film & Study)

What are the environmental, ethical and religious ramifications of the diet we choose ?  This is currently a study action issue at UUA.  Our study group can provide feedback.
Contact person Lauren Culbert

PROVIDE DISCUSSION OPPORTUNITIES

Organize small ministry group for focused discussion on environmental topics.