South Church - UUA certified as a Green Sanctuary on Feb. 10, 2010

Green Sanctuary Team

First row left to right: Betty Olivolo, Catherine Greeley, Judy Miller, Diane Woods, Skye Maher. Second row: Peter Somssich, Alden Tansey, Kevin Leahy. Missing: Ben MacBride, Judy Proctor

Questions, want to get involved?

Contact Judy Miller, Chair judymil@comcast.net or Kevin Leahy, Vice Chair kleahy@gmail.com. We normally meet on the second Sunday of the month at 11:30. Check with GS contact to confirm.

Events

Menu for the Future discussion course

A self facilitated course from the Northwest Earth Institute(www.nwei.org) exploring the connection between food and sustainability. Focus is on your relationship to food and food systems. 6 Wed. evenings from Jan. 11 – Feb. 15 from 7:00 - 8:30 pm in the SC Library. Contact: Betty Olivolo – bettyolivolo@gmail.com or Diane Woods – 603-397-3307 for information or to express interest in a future offering of this course.

Hungry for Change Discussion Course

A self facilitated course from the Northwest Earth Institute (www.nwei.org).

From climate change to the rights of Florida tomato farmers to the global geopolitics of food, Hungry for Change examines how the availability of food and its production, distribution and consumption are the workings of a deeply complex system that is affected by and affects all of us. 6 Wed. evenings from Mar. 7 – Apr 11 from 7:00 – 8:30 pm in the SC Library. Contact: Hilary Clark,clarkhamel@aol.com, 207-752-2763, Kevin Leahy kleahy@gmail.com.

Thanks to the South Church Auction committee for having a theme of Growing Green. Donations are being solicited from sustainable vendors with the option to display their contributions to sustainability and/or the community. Contact: Skye Maher, skyemaher@gmail.com.

Walk for Power, an after church walk to homes with solar power to be scheduled in April. Have a home you would like on the walk? Contact Skye Maher, skyemaher@gmail.com.

42 for the Earth – 42/42/42

Forty-two for the Earth, co-sponsored by Rev. Lauren Smith, will be a celebration of the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day. At least 42 members/friends of the church will participate in a commitment to follow a daily practice for the benefit of the Earth for 42 days, from April 22 – June 2 with a celebration on Sunday 6/3. Further information will be available at the beginning of April. Contact: Judy Miller, judymil@comcast.net.

Alternative Gift Fair – annually, the first Sunday of Dec., the GS Team hosts a table for Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) where SHI products and Gifts of Hope are sold. Information on SHI is at www.sustainableharvest.org.

Support for UUA Statements of Conscience

Threat of Global Warming/Climate Change – 2006 Statement of Conscience

We declare by this Statement of Conscience that we will not acquiesce to the ongoing degradation and destruction of life that human actions are leaving to our children and grandchildren. We as Unitarian Universalists are called to join with others to halt practices that fuel global warming/climate change, to instigate sustainable alternatives, and to mitigate the impending effects of global warming/climate change with just and ethical responses. Full statement at http://www.uua.org/statements/statements/8061.shtml

South Church Green Renovation Policy

The following policy was approved by the Board of Trustees at the meeting on 9/15/2009: In order for South Church to be a truly Green Sanctuary, when making decisions about building improvements, renovations and purchasing, it is understood that environmentally sustainable options will always be considered and given priority.

4/20/11 Energy Audit Report

PSNH Audit Report and Implementation

The Property Committee and Amy Bevan, Business Administrator, are prioritizing and implementing energy efficiency changes. Property Committee Chair: Skye Maher, skyemaher@gmail.com.

NH/ME Energy Credits

Ethical Eating: Food & Environmental Justice

2011 Statement of Conscience

As Unitarian Universalists, we are called to address our relationship with food. Our Principles call for recognition of and respect for the other. Ethical eating is the application of our Principles to our food choices. www.uua.org/statements/statements/185320.shtml

Sustainable Harvest International (SHI) is working for environmental, economic and social sustainability in Central America including teaching sustainable farming methods. South Church has made substantial donations that are being used to help families in Boom Creek, Belize through church collections, selling SHI products and Gifts of Hope at the Alternative Gift Fair, and profits from the sale of Equal Exchange products. Information on SHI is at www.sustainableharvest.org.

Equal Exchange Fair Trade Products (EE) offers fair trade products produced by democratically run farmer coops in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Coffee is shade-grown, thus helping the environment by not cutting down trees. Equal Exchange coffee is used at Coffee Hour and the products are sold several times a year during that time thanks to Hillary Scott, Mical Allopenna and Peter Randall. Information on Equal Exchange is at www.equalexchange.coop.

Donations to Food Pantries - our members/friends are encouraged to donate fresh, local, and/or organic food to local food pantries. Information on donating to Food Pantries can be found at www.seacoasteatlocal.org. Cross Roads House (www.crossroadshouse.org) will accept fresh produce at any time. It's best to contact the Food Service Coordinator, Barbara Mata (603-436-2218 x111, b.mata@crossroadshouse.org) so she can make plans for perishable donations.

Summer and Winter Farmer's Markets – information at www.seacoasteatlocal.org.

Coming Soon

Green Sanctuary Certification Documents

GS Action Plan – 1/4/2009

Congregational Vote - 11/22/2009

Application for Certification – 1/13/2010

Last update: 2/4/2012