The Green Sanctuary committee at University Unitarian Church is working to engage our entire church community in practices that embody our UU seventh principle: Respect and care for the interdependent web of life of which we are a part.

We are working to fully, creatively integrate the seventh principle in our worship and religious education for all age levels. We organize a wide variety of projects and activities on topics such as transportation, alternative energy, pesticide awareness, sustainable food, and environmental legislative advocacay. We are also making our church practices more sustainable – more "green." And you can help! Explore these pages to learn more. Get in touch with contact people directly, or fill out our interest form.

Current activities

"Greening" our church practices: We are encouraging recycling, composting, and environmentally friendly products, and working to reduce waste, toxics, and energy consumption. To get involved with waste reduction efforts, contact Deejah Sherman-Peterson at 206-363-4604. To help with native, sustainable landscaping at UUC, contact Nancy Bowen-Pope.

Projects and initiatives: We have a variety of projects and initiatives underway. Some are one-time, and some are ongoing.

• Education: A wide variety of educational activities are ongoing for people of all ages.
• Sustainable, healthy food: Join with others at UUC to learn about the food that nourishes us, and to eat local.
• Pesticide-free zones: Declare your support for pesticide-free yards and help create awareness for using safer gardening alternatives. In partnership with Washington Toxics Coalition. Contact: Elaine Willey.
• Transportation - "Getting Around Green:" Do you bike to church? Ever wished you could carpool on Sunday? Green Sanctuary is working to help congregants reduce car trips. Contact: Laura Kennedy Gould.

Partnerships:

• Support of fair trade: Green Sanctuary supports the efforts of UUC's Economic Justice committee to raise funds for microlending through the sale of fair-trade goods, and to promote local, sustainable businesses.
• Advocacy: Through Washington UU Voices for Justice and Earth Ministry (an ecumenical environmental organization), we can tell our elected officials in Olympia that we want environmentally sound, sustainable policies.