Green Sanctuary

Recently, I was approached by an individual from the company Different Drummer, a Fan-mobilization agency, about attending a premiere of the movie Furry Vengeance. I took this opportunity and ran with it as I was interested to see how big a role the theme of sustainability and respect for the environment would play in it. Additionally, I was intrigued by the fact that there was a campaign running simultaneously with the release of the film. The campaign, as their website states “will focus on the importance of endangered species and habitat preservation. A customized package including activities and materials, distributed to elementary students nationwide, will engage and educate future environmentalists. It will offer tools and opportunities for students to explore the natural areas of their communities and develop skills and deeper knowledge of habitat and animal protection issues.”

On this 40th Anniversary of Earth Day, may we hold the Earth delicately in our hands and reflect on how we may become better stewards of the Earth both individually and collectively.

There are many things you can do to celebrate Earth Day both locally and globally.  Invite you to join me by finding at least one way you can celebrate.  Here are some ways that you might want to celebrate:

• If you haven’t already, find a celebration in your area and join in on the fun.
• Or find a congregation local UU congregation that is celebrating Earth Day through Sunday worship service or other activities (there are currently over 125 listed).
• Support the 40/40/40 campaign to fight for environmental justice by reading an important message, sharing it with your friends, and making a donation to the Environmental Justice Fund.
• Use the UU Ministryfor Earth (UUMFE)’s Earth Day Resources.
• Work with the UU Service Committee (UUSC) on the Human Right to Water.
• Investigate Interfaith Power and Light’s (IPL) Earth Day resources.
• Check out the EarthSave video promoting a healthy diet.
• View President Barack Obama’s Earth Day message.
• Take the Clinton Foundation Climate Quiz and the Foundation will donate $2 on your behalf to the purchase of solar flashlights for people living in camps in Haiti.
• Join the Renewal LA Interfaith Event at St. John’s Cathedral on April 25th (I’ll be speaking as will UU Minister Rev. Hannah Petrie).
• Attend the Climate Change Rally on the National Mall in DC on April 25th.
• Watch the trailer for Food Inc.  then consider watching the entire film or showing it in your community.
• Take the family to see Furry Vengeance in theaters on April 30th.
• Consider purchasing fairly traded coffee, tea, chocolate, and snacks from Equal Exchange.

Whatever you end up doing, I hope that you take some time to sit and reflect on the reverance of this beautiful planet.

Two weeks ago I traveled to the United Nations Church Center in New York, NY for the Unitarian Universalist-United Nations Office (UU-UNO) Spring Seminar 2010, Thursday April 8 – Saturday, April 10. About two months prior I met with one of the UU-UNO Board members, Connie Baker,  to talk about the the Green Sanctuary Program.  Connie told me that their upcoming Spring Seminar was going to be about climate change and asked if I would be willing to attend.  I said “sure.”  The next week, I received an email follow-up requesting that I also speak on a panel to which I also agreed.

The theme of the seminar was “A Climate of Change: Heads, Hearts, and Hands Around the Planet.”  As the Program Manager for the Green Sanctuary Program at the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) I am expected to be one of “the” voices for the UUA on the environment and environmental justice.  I was slotted to be on the Friday after-lunch “Hearts” panel “Faith-Based Perspectives on Climate Change.”  I left for New York with a handful of notes for my time to talk on the panel.
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Environmental activists, often on the verge of burn-out, ask themselves “Does my work really make a difference?”

The answer to this question is “YES!”

As Unitarian Universalists, we seek out action that has meaning in our lives.  We find that meaning by looking to the UUA’s Seventh Principle “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”  I’d encourage people to see how each of the Seven Principles calls us to be good stewards of the Earth.

The Green Sanctuary Program, originally founded and managed by the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth, was designed to give roots and wings to the vision that, together, we can create a world in which all people make reverence, gratitude, and care for the Earth that is central to our lives.  The Green Sanctuary Program offers a way to join our efforts, both symbolically and explicitly, with thousands of other Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country.  Additionally, the Green Sanctuary program projects have deepened the inspiration of many individuals in their congregation to make personal changes in their lives.

One UU Church that decided to embark on the Green Sanctuary journey together was South Church in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  In their Green Sanctuary accreditation application they discussed sustainability and how it has become a major issue in Portsmouth. They have become a huge supporter , as well as a prominent leader, in the wider efforts in the New Hampshire seacoast region.  In addition to that, they were able to the see the “Ripple Effect” of the Green Sanctuary Program.  The list below is a sampling of the change effects that have resulted from what congregants describe as personal lifestyle modifications that were likely the result of the work of the environmental activism work of South Church:
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             The Hudson River is considered the largest Superfund site in the United States, with over 200 miles of water scheduled for cleanup after the river was contaminated with PCBs from General Electric and various other industrial manufacturing companies over many years of dumping in the river. In the 1960’s, when there were virtually no environmental laws yet passed to protect our natural resources, an organization named the Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. was launched by folk singer Pete Seeger and other advocates.

In the PBS short film (approximately 30 minutes) ‘Til the River Runs Clear, the community organizing effort put together by Pete Seeger & others is chronicled. The film begins by telling the story of how Pete Seeger and other activists got the idea of cleaning up the Hudson River. From there, the decision was made to build a traditional wooden sloop which was a replica of 18^th and 19^th century sailing vessels. The hope in building this particular type of ship was to encourage people to preserve the rivers beauty. Once the ship was launched in 1969, people began to take notice of just how powerful environmental advocacy could be. Today, Clearwater focuses on education and advocacy, bringing people on board to sail and experience the beauty of the river. The Hudson River Sloop Clearwater, Inc. is one of the pioneering organizations that drew attention to this river that was once dying.

While so many activist movements have great intentions and promote something that I believe in, I was particularly moved by this documentary for a few reasons. The first reason is because it is close to my heart; I grew up in New Jersey, very close to Manhattan, and remember going for walks with my family down by the rivers edge. I remember thinking that such a grand, beautiful place should be able to be enjoyed by its citizens, instead of simply saddening them. Also, as a famous folk singer, Pete Seeger was (and still is) in the public eye for his popular music. I do think that there is something to be said for an individual that is a potential role model to millions of individuals to be part of such an important, environmental project.

In addition to the Hudson River Sloop educating and advocating for environmental awareness and change, each year the organization holds the Clearwater Festival in Croton-on-Hudson, NY. This year, the River Revival takes place on June 19 & 20. While the lineup of performers has yet to be announced for 2010, past years have brought some famous names to the stage. A few of these artists have been Arlo Guthrie, Ani DiFranco, Taj Mahal, Tom Paxton and Toshi Reagon. For more information about this year’s lineup, check out their website.