Green Committee

 

  Read UCN's Green Sanctuary Application (PDF)

Green Sanctuary FOOD Project  

Focus on Food!

Hungry For Change: Food, Ethics, and Sustainability Discussion Course
On Tuesday, June 4th at 7:00 PM, a no-obligation Informational Meeting will be held at Unitarian Church North to explain and organize a six-week discussion course titled, “Hungry for Change: Food, Ethics,and Sustainability.”  Based on the Northwest Earth Institute's book of readings, participants will meet weekly to explore the interconnected nature of food systems and our relationships to them; examine the impact our food choices have on our health and the health of our planet; and consider the ethical and political implications of our current food system and our personal food choices.  Weekly meeting dates and times will be chosen by those interested in participating. Please invite a friend!
Click here for a flyer.

Food Focus Film Series
During the last four Thursdays in May, the church will host a free weekly film series that will feature the latest food documentary films that deal with all the dimensions of food.  All films begin at 7:00 PM, are open to the public, and are free (a freewill offering will be accepted).  An optional discussion will follow each film. 

Thursday, May 9th, Hungry for Change
Thursday, May 16th, Forks Over Knives
Thursday, May 23rd, Food, Inc.
Thursday, May 30th, Fresh

Click here for a flyer.

For any questions, contact John Hoff at johnhoff@att.net or 262-309-9933.

 


Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Do it all by taking your gently used clothing and household goods to Family Sharing, located at 1002 Overland Court, Grafton (262-377-0634).  Your donations raise money to stock the food pantry for those in need.  While there, shop the Family Sharing Resale Store and search out some recycled bargains!

 

Committee Mission
Unitarian Church North seeks to heal and preserve the natural environment for our and future generations of all living things by increasing the sustainability and minimizing the negative ecological impact of UCN, our members, and our communities.

 

Meeting Schedule
The Green Committee meets every fourth Wednesday of the month (unless otherwise noted in the email announcements) at 7:00 p.m. in the James Reeb room. ALL are welcome to join us!

 

Bike to Church

History

As a relatively new committee, the Green Committee grew out of a Barn Banter held in the spring of 2007. Coordinated by then Minister Elena Rigg, this meeting drew thirty-six people and demonstrated the desire for involvment in environmental issues both within our congregation and beyond. The Barn Banter brainstorming session generated many ideas and much enthusiasm. This general meeting was followed-up with summer meetings where a vision and mission were created. On September 10, 2007 the UCN Board approved the Green Committee as a standing committee.

Since that time, the Green Committee has been busy! Below are a few things that the committee has either completed or working on at present.

  • Vegetable garden
  • Built a compost bin, held workshop on how to build one
  • Installed mug rack in the fellowship hall and encourage the use of non-disposable cups during coffee time
  • Worked with Sunday Service Committee on reducing the numbers of Orders of Service printed each Sunday
  • Established an ongoing monthly column in the Northliner, called “Green Corner,” covering a wide variety of “green” topics
  • Posted signs to encourage wise water use in all bathrooms and in the kitchen
  • Encourage the use of real dishes at church fellowship functions
  • Coordinated an interactive carbon footprint workshop
  • Hosted a local food talk by local Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) farmers
  • Coordinated a silent auction of a CSA share with the proceeds going to the UCN general operating budget
  • Conducted a walk-through energy audit of the church
  • Coordinated three Walk, Bike, Carpool to Church Day events
  • Offered multiple Northwest Earth Institute courses, including Voluntary Simplicity and Choices for Sustainable Living
  • Offered "An Amazing Journey!: The Universe & Me" adult education course
  • Coordinated recycling efforts at UCN
  • Increased UCN's green library
  • Hosted two community electronic recycling events keepin 20+ tons of electronics out of landfills
  • Hosted Sid Syam’s presentation on Spirituality and Nature Future
  • Hosted an area-wide Mindfulness retreat
  • Promoted the replacement of UCN boilers to cost-saving and energy efficient models
  • Hosted an eight-week "Green Living" discussion and action program
  • Established a seed-gathering and sharing program with Hawley Enviromental School
  • Establised a Friday Flyer feature entitles "Toward a Sustainable Future" to provide facts and food for thought

Currently the Green Committee is focused on obtaining the Unitarian Universalist Association’s “Green Sanctuary” designation. This process will integrate “green” thinking into all aspects of the church community. This is a very ambitious and exciting project for our congregation. Stay tuned….there will be much more to come!

Learn more about the UUA Green Sanctuary Program on the UUA's website. And don’t hesitate to contact anyone on the Green Committee for more information.

 

Previous Green Corner Articles:

Where Recycling Goes - Feb. 2013
Kill-a-Watt or More! - March 2013
2013 Earth Day Activities - April 2013