DRAFT Greening Worship April 17, 2005

April 24, 2005

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick

 

UUCF held a Greening Charrette on April 17, 2005 after the worship service and potluck.  Katherine Jesch participated and observed in the workshop process.

 

Following in each focus area are the 10 items (underlined) chosen by the workshop participants as those, which the church will use in the application for accreditation process.  Two more goals need to be selected to round out the 12 minimum goals which we should use for application.

 

I.                    Worship and Celebration Goals:  Worship practices integrating the wisdom of the Earth

 

·         Earth-based liturgy

·         Research native American connection to the local area

·         Hold services outdoors

·         Monthly earth-based readings:  earth honoring worship

·         Library resources increased

·         Earth-based community worship services – interfaith outreach

·         Integrate with Programs Council

 

II.                   Religious Education Goals:  Interface all the goals of UUCF’s 7th Principle Project so that RE can develop lifespan curriculum and programs that teach these goals.

 

·         Provide lifespan Religious Education programs that educate participant’s goals of 7the principle project (8 votes)

·         Highlighted Programs (3 votes):

1.      Children’s RE – May semester

2.      ASETF classes on subject, recruit aggressively

·         Integrate into all of lifespan RE the goals of 7th Principle Project; model what is taught (1 vote)

 

III.                Environmental Justice Goals:

 

·         Population control and Reproductive Rights (13 votes)

Planned Parenthood

Identify global organizations

·         Watershed Restoration:  Adopt-A-Stream (7 votes)

·         Transportation

Support County trail program (3 votes)

Promote church carpooling

·         Host public forum on global warming (3 votes)

·         Slow down church site water drainage (2 votes)

·         Growth and development (1 vote)

Farm preservation program

Buy local food

Community supported agriculture

Advocacy groups for slow growth, watershed, open space, land protection and conservation easements

 

IV.                Sustainable Living Goals:

 

  • Change Thermostats in 5 zones with HVAC override (6 votes)
  • Develop policy for outside group church use concerning green cleaning products and use of recyclable products  (6 votes)
  • Hold regularly schedule d workshops on simplicity and sustainability for the public (5 votes)
  • Hold another Green Clean Workshop (Tidy Troop directions and supplies) (3 votes)
  • Draft church official policy and practice of not using herbicides (2 votes)
  • Consider solar powered outdoor lighting options (2 votes)
  • Landscaping- slow down erosion (1 vote)
  • Fair Trade coffee used and for sale (1 vote)
  • Address windows in sanctuary and chapel as light and heat sources (Windows in chapel and sanctuary -- varying opinions exist on how to cut down on heat and light in the summer while not cutting down on heat benefits in the winter and not adversely affecting the appearance of either chapel or sanctuary.  Draw down shades, thermal covers or window polarized shading film could be investigated to reduce heat loss and to cool building down in summer.)
  • Energy override HVAC for use of individual windows (admit fresh air in building)
  • Procure more kitchen re-usables
  • Members supply plates (funds required)
  • Institute a socially responsible investing plan for future endowment
  • Institute official policies for green purchasing
  • Environmental tip of the week in Order of Service and Unison
  • Resource fund in library for Green needs
  • Green Sanctuary Services on Sunday 4x a year
  • Promote and create a composting place
  • Promote personal socially responsible investing

 

Environmental Audit 7-14-2005:  “The UUCF Green Sanctuary Committee began an environmental audit of the congregation at its monthly meeting on June 14, 2004 as part of the process for accreditation as a Green Sanctuary congregation.  The Green Sanctuary Committee began the environmental audit process by developing an initial list of current UUCF activities and practices that are likely to impact the environment or influence our congregation’s relationship to the earth.  The list, based on guidelines in the Green Sanctuary Program manual and an environmental audit process conducted by the Green Team of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the North Hills (available at www.uuaspp.org) is as follows:”

 

The Environmental Audit was reviewed at the Greening Workshop and new Items already implemented were identified and are in BOLD.

 

Worship and Celebration:  Worship practices integrating the wisdom of the Earth

 

Environmental Audit:

·         Earth Day services several years running

·         Labyrinth

·         Katherine Jesch (2004, 2005), Jim Scott (in prior years)

·         Music selections sometimes incorporate seventh principle

·         Children’s stories sometimes incorporate seventh principle

·         CUUPS group active in church, leading solstice celebrations and other earth-based ceremonies

·         Site selection for Church: built with designs to maximize connection to earth via windows, views.

·         Ground breaking for new building included earth centered ceremonies

·         Sermons often connect spiritual with nature/earth

·         Various congregational rituals include:  water communion, flower communion, earth communion, blessing of the beasts, youth Maypole

 

Religious Education:  Religious education programs relating to the environment for both children and adults

 

GOALS:  Interface all the goals of UUCF’s 7th Principle Project so that RE can develop lifespan curriculum and programs that teach these goals.

 

Environmental Audit:

·         Two programs on wildlife habitats with Master Gardeners

·         Youth video:  Cost of Cool

·         Video series 1. Affluenza, 2. Escape from Affluenza, 3. Next Industrial Revolution.

·         Voluntary Simplicity

·         Sustainable Living

·         Hiking Programs

·         Wildflower Walks

·         Canoeing on Monocacy

·         Humanity and Environment Course

·         Green Markers in Library on spines of books with green message

·         Youth group recycling ink cartridges

 

Environmental Justice:  Social Action projects or activities relating to environmental justice.

 

Environmental Audit:

·         Heifer Project

·         Some legislative awareness through e-mail list

·         Information on Mad as a Hatter Mercury program (NIH) provided at Green Sanctuary Table

·         UUSC Coffee Project promotes awareness of global effects of daily choices and helps support small farmers earn a fair living through sustainable practices

·         Some volunteer opportunities have been announced via e-mail list (e.g., annual Potomac Watershed Cleanup)

 

Sustainable Living:  Energy Use Patterns and current conservation practices; Compliance with local recycling procedures; Church policies for use of non-disposable materials and non-toxic cleaning supplies; Landscaping policies directing use of native species, landscape chemicals, etc.

 

Energy

 

·         Committee member will contact CCAN about possibilities for energy audits.  Energy Audit Completed.

·         Last–Person– Out check list created to save energy in place and in use

·         Need to obtain records of electric, propane, and water use from the past year to examine patterns of use

·         Water faucets in the bathroom have auto shut off, which is good, but can we change the timing of the auto cut-off as the water is often running longer than necessary?

·         Energy conservation override system is a plus and the HVAC should be able to be adjusted for use of windows as needed for fresh air as weather permits.

·         Can lighting efficiency be improved by use of the CFLs for energy savings?  How efficient is current lighting system?

·         Signs can be posted in all classrooms to turn off lights when not in use, as we already have in bathrooms (and some classrooms?).

·         Aerators in faucets could cut down on water usage if not already installed.

·         Windows in chapel and sanctuary -- varying opinions exist on how to cut down on heat and light in the summer while not cutting down on heat benefits in the winter and not adversely affecting the appearance of either chapel or sanctuary.  Draw down shades, thermal covers or window polarized shading film could be investigated to reduce heat loss and to cool building down in summer.

 

Recycling

 

·         No official program exists for recycling glass, paper, aluminum

·         Paper Recycle, ink cartridges, cell phones, candle wax, aluminum, plastic and glass kitchen recycle

·         County Policies are challenging to say the least.  Currently no curbside recycle exists for businesses and the church falls in the category.  Drop off centers state that they are for “household use only.”

·         Tidy Troupers could be requested to take items home; some do so on their own initiative.

·         Efforts have been made to:
- use recycled and reusable kitchen ware
- use recycled paper in office
- purchase used furniture
- reuse candle wax in new candles
- minimize use of non disposable items

·        Several individuals have been taking recyclables home or to collection point on their own initiative

Non-disposable Materials and Cleaning Products

·         We use ceramic cups instead of disposable Styrofoam

·         Plates: we are awaiting donations of reusable plates

·         Cleaning supplies:
Committee sponsored a Green Clean workshop to educate members in green cleaning techniques and supplies.

·        Currently, Tidy Troupers are requested to purchase their own supplies and get reimbursed by the church.  No policies and limited guidance exist for the procurement of environmentally sensitive cleaning supplies.

Landscaping Policies

·         Changed architect’s landscaping plans from including many non-natives to mostly native species.

·         Green Sanctuary Committee members provided persistent input to Landscaping Committee on beneficial effect of native species and landscaping plans include use of native species of trees and shrubs.

·         There is a designated tract of land on UUCF property to develop into a native plant garden and wildlife habitat.

·         An area above the septic field will be transformed into a wildflower meadow to cut down on mowing.

·         Gravel area of the parking lot is semi-permeable thereby reducing the amount of run-off.  Some of parking area is impermeable.

·         Two Master Gardener Programs were run to educate members on wildlife habitats, one on Earth Day 2004.

 

Church policies governing purchasing and investing decisions

 

·         Membership Committee buys fair-traded, organic, shade grown coffee for coffee hour.

·         Building includes rescued elements from other structures:  wood floor in chapel, stained glass windows

·         Budget was provided to purchase Fair Trade coffee for resale as fund-raiser.

·         No official policies regarding green purchases for office, kitchen, or RE programs.

 

Communication

·         Green Sanctuary Committee table staffed in Narthex

·         Green Sanctuary email list created and in for 2 years

·         Committee web page on UUCF website

·         Green information resource binder

·         Committee member plans to write a “Green Corner” for Unison

·         Green Sanctuary Committee members have written in Unison in the past