Green Sanctuary Update

September 2011

Green Sanctuary volunteers slowed their pace a bit this summer, but activity is picking up again. Here’s a snapshot look at a few things that are in the works:

Bike Rack
Watch for a bike rack to appear on the church grounds in the next few weeks. It will be placed just outside the south door that leads to the upper parking lot.

Enviroscouts
The Journey for the Planet elementary RE curriculum is being retitled Enviroscouts. Designed to help kids have fun while learning the basics of green living, Enviroscouts will meet Sundays at 9:30 starting in September. We are looking for teachers, so don’t hesitate to sign up.

Environmental Resource Library
We are adding a new section to the Peace Library. Starting this fall, you will see a special section for environmental resources. There will be books for kids and adults, including fiction and non-fiction. Also, please consider making a donation if you have books you think might belong.

Sustainable Foods for the Needy
Currently, the FEDS prepare and serve meals to feed the homeless. Our plan is to help provide food produced by farms that safeguard the environment, produce safe foods, use humane treatment of animals, and use fair treatment of farm and food workers. We will do this for 3 of their 6 meals this year.

Cool Congregations
This program of Iowa Interfaith Power and Light will bring together at least 30 participants from 10 different local faith communities. They will calculate their carbon footprint, find ways to reduce it, and learn how to organize a "Cool Congregations" stewardship program in their congregation. We will host the Cool Congregations workshop on October 29th.

Adult RE: Reconnecting with Earth
Developed by the Northwest Earth Institute, this is a six-session course addressing core values and how they affect the way we view and treat the earth. Sessions will meet at 9:30 Sunday mornings and begin in mid-October.

Wondering Ones
This group promotes the practice and understanding of Pagan and Earth-centered spirituality within the Unitarian Universalist Association. All those seeking on an Earth-centered path are welcome to join any of our public events and meetings. We will celebrate equinoxes, solstices, high holidays, and full moon cycles.

More to come…
This is just a sampling of what the Green Sanctuary team has cooking. For more information or to find out how you can help, contact Jon Knapp McAlister at jandjmcalister@hotmail.com or Sandra Simmons at sandra_964@hotmail.com.