Earth Day 2011
Earth Day, April 22, is dedicated to raising awareness on environmental issues, in particular to advocate for sustainable practices. The concept originated in 1970 and marked the beginning of the modern environmental movement. Many Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations devote the Sunday closest to Earth Day as Earth Sunday.
This year marks the 41st anniversary of Earth Day, and congregations across the country are celebrating our planet and taking action to make it a viable place for all people to live, now and into the future.
Resources
Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) has a great Earth Sunday Resource Packet to plan this year's Earth Sunday service, which includes worship materials as well as ideas for taking action. This year's theme is Sacred Waters, in light of the anniversary of the BP oil disaster off the Gulf Coast, and reflecting on how water intersects with many environmental justice issues, from mountaintop removal coal mining to growing food.
Unitarian Universalists across the country will be making 40 day commitments to water justice, with special recognition going to congregations with 40 members or 40% of the congregation participating.
Check out the UUWorld 2010 article about 40/40/40.
Action
Hold an Earth Sunday Service
UU Ministry For Earth is asking members of all congregations to think about what their connections to water and what they can do to make clean and safe water available to those in their communities. They put together the resources for congregations to celebrate Earth Day through joyful commitments to water justice for 40 days
Become a Green Sanctuary
Live out your congregation's commitment to the Earth by creating sustainable lifestyles for its members as individuals and as a faith community.
Register Your Event!
Check out what the events congregations have already planned (PDF, 35 pages) and be inspired! Every congregation who registers their event or shares their story by emailing environment @ uua.org?subject=earth%20day%20-%20what%20we%20did by April 22nd, will be entered into a raffle to win a $50 gift certificate to the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Bookstore.
Unitarian Universalist Association History
"UUs Celebrate Earth with Theme of Sacred Waters," UUA, 2011.
"UUs Celebrate Earth Day and Commit to Ethical Eating," UUA, 2010.
"UU campaign honors Earth Day’s 40th anniversary," UU World, 2010.
Earth Day 2008: Celebrate and Advocate!
UU World Coverage of Earth Day 2008
Earth Day 2007: Faith-based Earth Advocacy
2006 Statement of Conscience: The Threat of Global Warming/Climate Change
For more information contact environment @ uua.org.
This work is made possible by the generosity of individual donors and congregations. Please consider making a donation today.
Last updated on Wednesday, August 24, 2011.
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