Green Sanctuary Certification by UU Ministry for Earth
In 2001, Emerson’s Board of Trustees appointed the Ministry for Earth to serve as the Green Sanctuary Committee and to start the work to become certified as a Green Sanctuary Congregation. Emerson was awarded certification in June 2003, the 14th congregation to be so recognized.

The certification acknowledges the work that our congregation completed over those 18 months, in encouraging education and leadership on environmental issues. The work can be in six specific areas as detailed below. The program challenges us to live our ideals as a congregation and motivates us to extend our commitment to personal lifestyle changes. It affirms that our congregation is putting the seventh principle into practice; that is, practicing what we preach. (Note: The Green Sanctuary Program is often confused with Certification as a Green Building, which refers to the use of sustainable design and construction, following the LEED Certification program.)

Green Sanctuary: EcoSpirituality for Liberal Religious Congregations, is a church accreditation program sponsored by the organization UU Ministry for Earth. The goals of the Green Sanctuary Program are:

» Building awareness of societal environmental issues among UUs.
» Generating commitment for personal lifestyle changes.
» Motivating UUs to community action on environmental issues.
» Building a connection between spiritual practice and
  environmental consciousness.
» Building awareness of and rectifying environmental injustices.

Details about the Green Sanctuary Program, along with a wealth of information about environmental issues and eco-spirituality, can be found in the  Green Sanctuary Handbook available on the UU Ministry for Earth website at http://www.uuministryforearth.org/grs_manual.htm

Requirements for Green Sanctuary Certification: A congregation can qualify as a Green Sanctuary Church by meeting the following criteria (somewhat simplified here to save space) and documenting achievements in each area. Establish a standing committee, with a designated chair, and apply to start the certification process. As part of the application, must show completion of at least one activity from each of the following areas:

» Energy Conservation. Conduct an energy audit of the church. Achieve measurable reductions in energy each year, until no longer feasible.
» Reduce, Recycle & Reuse. Achieve a measured reduction in non-recycled trash; buy mostly recyclable supplies; use non-disposable cups, dishes and cutlery.
» Church Communication. Set up an Environmental Information Center; have a Green Corner in the Newsletter, use Earth-based hymns, skits, art work; hold honors ceremony for members doing Green Sanctuary work.
» Religious Education. Teach at least one children’s environmental curriculum each year; conduct a simplicity circle; hold adult education on environmental issues. Lead an annual field trip to a power plant, recycling facility, organic farm, wetlands, re-forestation project, etc. preferably more, to the environment. Ensure that regular worship incorporates web-of-life based prayers, meditations, and readings.
» Environmental Justice. Contact local/regional environmental organizations and partner with one of them to work on a specific issue for a year. Hold at least one church-wide environmental project each year. Offer at least one environmental justice speaker, workshop or program each year.