Becoming an Accredited Green Sanctuary
Green Sanctuary (GS) is a unique opportunity for deep congregational growth and transformation through a commitment to make every aspect of congregational life as sustainable and environmentally responsible as possible. This comprehensive program educates congregations about their environmental impact as institutions and individuals. Action plans seek to increase building sustainability, improve congregational practices, and create relationships within the wider community.
Please join createclimatejustice.net to step into the growing community of congregational leaders using Green Sanctuary to support environmental and climate justice work in their congregations.
Congregations seeking Green Sanctuary accreditation will educate themselves and create projects in four focus areas:
- Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice acknowledges that marginalized communities are often hit first and hardest by environmental crisis. Congregations shift from providing charity to working in solidarity with communities most affected by climate change. - Worship and Celebration
As we work together towards a cleaner, more just and sustainable world, worship enables us to stay connected to each other and to celebrate the work we have accomplished. - Religious Education
Religious Education shapes more than minds. It shapes the attitudes and practices of children, families and the entire adult congregation while inspiring us to keep working toward our goal of sustainable practices. - Sustainable Living
Sustainable living requires us to treat the world more gently by using fewer resources and being mindful of the choices we make.
Congregations follow a customized, five-stage process towards accreditation:
- Stage 1: Team Building and Congregational Education
- Stage 2: Congregational Assessment
- Stage 3: Creating an Action Plan
- Stage 4: Applying to be a Green Sanctuary Congregation
- Stage 5: Gaining Green Sanctuary Accreditation
|
Stage |
What’s Involved |
Approximate Time Frame / Description |
Possible Costs |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Exploration |
Learning Green Sanctuary program requirements, review of application process and available resources (including the GS website). Participation in an introductory conference call. |
1 -2 weeks |
|
|
Stage 1: Team Building and Congregational Education |
Team immersion. Establishing a Green Team to manage the GS process. Congregational education, getting congregational leaders on board. |
2-4 months |
|
|
Stage 2: Congregational Assessment |
Assess congregational energy and water use, waste disposal, food choices, purchasing and other practices. Collect data and present it to the congregation. |
2-4 months |
Professional energy audit Purchasing “Our Place in the Web of Life” curriculum |
|
Stage 3: Creating an Action Plan |
Choosing and creating project plans in the four focus areas based on data from the assessments. Creating a communications plan to inform the congregation about all GS work. |
2-4 months Will depend on frequency of Green Team meetings and congregational dynamics. Best to include input from the congregation. |
|
|
Stage 4: Applying to be a GS Candidate |
Preparing and submitting application. Receive feedback, modify plan. |
10 – 20 hours Review team will offer feedback within two weeks. |
$100 Application Fee |
|
Stage 5: Gaining GS Accreditation |
Carrying out the action plan Applying for Accreditation status |
1 – 3 years Major transitions or congregational crises can lengthen this timeframe. It may also take time to develop partnerships in the community. |
In This Section
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Your congregation may express its desire to become a Green Sanctuary in a variety of ways. Usually, a small group of congregants...
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Your first major Green Sanctuary activity will be a comprehensive environmental assessment: a snapshot of your congregation’s current...
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The Green Sanctuary Action Plan is the compilation of twelve or more projects that will guide your congregation’s completion of the...
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Once you have formed a Green Sanctuary team , engaged your congregation, completed the assessments , and developed an action plan for your...
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Carrying Out Your Action Plan Allow one to three years to complete the projects in your action plan. It takes at least a year for everyone...
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For more information contact uua_greensanctuary@uua.org.