Green Sanctuary
The Green Sanctuary Task Force promotes environmental issues and sustainable living within and outside Westminster.
Green Sanctuary Accreditation Candidacy Approval
Westminster's property and practices were surveyed, and an accreditation candidacy plan was written and submitted to the UUA on March 2, 2009. On March 20, 2009, the UUA Congregational Stewardship Services approved our plan.
Here is the plan we submitted to the UUA: Westminster GS Candidacy Application [pdf]
For a summary of the tasks we proposed, please see Plan Summary (below)
Here are the UUA comments on our plan: UUA Response to Candidacy [pdf]
Plan Summary
Achieving accreditation can take any where from two to five years. The tasks included in the plan we submitted to the UUA are:
Worship and Celebration (2 required)
Candles and lamps
When the current sealed lamps are used, replace them with reusable lamps and environmentally friendly lamp oil.
Find a way to replace as many candles as possible, possibly use another method such as pebbles in a water bowl for joys and sorrows
Find a way to replace as many candles as possible, possibly use another method such as pebbles in a water bowl for joys and sorrows
Worship Services
Rev. Barbara will preach one or two services a year based on Green Sanctuary activities and general environmental issues
For annual Earth Day service, select theme for year and build up to it through bulletins, web site and Chimes; involve more people in Earth Day service
For annual Earth Day service, select theme for year and build up to it through bulletins, web site and Chimes; involve more people in Earth Day service
Religious Education (2 required)
Spring RE sessions: develop site-specific curriculum that includes audits and studies
Energy Audits: develop plan where families, with participation of children, perform audits following RIIPL Cool Congregations plan to improve the family?s carbon footprint
Other earth-based curriculums: Since we?re already using some of the UU Ministry for Earth lesson plans, survey other religions for curricula appropriate for Westminster
Energy Audits: develop plan where families, with participation of children, perform audits following RIIPL Cool Congregations plan to improve the family?s carbon footprint
Other earth-based curriculums: Since we?re already using some of the UU Ministry for Earth lesson plans, survey other religions for curricula appropriate for Westminster
Environmental Justice (2 required)
Earth Justice Program: Work with other local churches, town offices and environmental organizations to establish annual event
Either obtain a garden plot currently available for East Greenwich residents to grow organic vegetables for a food bank or volunteer with Community Supported Agriculture farms to help grow vegetables for a food bank
With input from local towns, adopt a spot that needs upkeep and maintain it throughout the year, involving families, RE and the youth group
Either obtain a garden plot currently available for East Greenwich residents to grow organic vegetables for a food bank or volunteer with Community Supported Agriculture farms to help grow vegetables for a food bank
With input from local towns, adopt a spot that needs upkeep and maintain it throughout the year, involving families, RE and the youth group
Sustainable Living (4 required)
Water Conservation
Grounds
Energy Conservation
Paper Products
Cleaning Supplies
New
parish house: Use dual-flush toilets; develop instructions on how to
use these features; install dishwasher that uses minimal amount of water
Existing church house: Make sure any new leaks are repaired quickly
Sanctuary: Monitor usage to see if dual-flush toilet is cost effective
Existing church house: Make sure any new leaks are repaired quickly
Sanctuary: Monitor usage to see if dual-flush toilet is cost effective
Grounds
New
parish house: When heavy equipment is available during construction,
remove alien invasive plant species from grounds; ensure that all new
plants are native to this area and that they provide appropriate
shelter and food for native animals
Existing church house: Make sure alien invasive plants are kept trimmed until they can be removed
Existing church house: Make sure alien invasive plants are kept trimmed until they can be removed
Energy Conservation
New
parish house: Ensure new parish house meets LEED standards; use all
Energy Star appliances in new parish house; install on-demand tank less
hot water heaters in new parish house
Existing parish house: Cover water heater with insulating blanket
Sanctuary: Weatherproof windows
Existing parish house: Cover water heater with insulating blanket
Sanctuary: Weatherproof windows
Paper Products
Ensure that all office paper is made from recycled material and identify this on all our printed materials
Continue using paper products of recycled content as we currently do for the kitchen and bathrooms
For safety reasons we use paper cups for children; locate a source for paper cups made of recycled paper
For soup sales and lobster roll, find a source for insulating containers that is made of earth friendly material
Continue using paper products of recycled content as we currently do for the kitchen and bathrooms
For safety reasons we use paper cups for children; locate a source for paper cups made of recycled paper
For soup sales and lobster roll, find a source for insulating containers that is made of earth friendly material
Cleaning Supplies
Find source for earth-friendly cleaning products and set up system whereby they can be easily obtained
Additional (2 required)
100%
alternative energy sources: Westminster currently uses an alternative
energy source for 50% of its energy. Using grant from Utah Interfaith
Power & Light, increase this to 100%
Native Wildflower Garden: Work with Youth Group, Property Committee, RE and others to establish a native wildflower garden at Westminster, with emphasis on native plants that attract butterflies and birds.
Small Group Ministry: Work with SGM to incorporate environmental issues into discussions
Native Wildflower Garden: Work with Youth Group, Property Committee, RE and others to establish a native wildflower garden at Westminster, with emphasis on native plants that attract butterflies and birds.
Small Group Ministry: Work with SGM to incorporate environmental issues into discussions
How Will the Next Year Affect this Plan?
We are currently in temporary quarters while the new Parish House is being built. We will continue to work with the Westminster Building Committee on green issues regarding the new structure. We are also taking steps to lessen our carbon footprint while in our temporary location.
Photo of myrtle & grape hyacinths taken by Peggy Sharpe.