We are a Green Sanctuary.
More than 30 years ago, the Unitarian Universalist Association developed a program called “Green Sanctuary,” a forward-looking design for UU congregations to purposely help to heal and preserve the natural environment for our and future generations of all living things. The world is in a climate crisis. The recent UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reported that to prevent increasingly catastrophic and irreversible trends, global net emissions of carbon dioxide need to fall 45% from 2010 levels by 2030.
UCN became a UUA Green Sanctuary in 2015, working toward a vision of a healthier, more sustainable future. We live with a deep awareness of our climate crisis and the deep environmental injustices of our time.
We commit to four practices, grounded in Unitarian Universalist principles:
Environmental Justice
We partner with marginalized communities who are hit first and hardest by environmental crisis. In partnering with these communities we are able to address human and environmental needs at the same time.
Worship and Celebration
As we work together towards a cleaner, more just and sustainable world, worship inspires our work and reminds us of what is most sacred and most true.
Religious Education
Our workshops and programs for all ages shape attitudes and build practices that are sustainable and spiritually-grounded.
Sustainable Living
We treat the world more gently by using fewer resources and being mindful of the choices we make, both as a congregation and as households.
Create Climate Justice
UUA maintains an online organizing community at Create Climate Justice for congregations to learn from each other, share successes, and leverage our collective work in a committed response to climate change.