A focus on climate justice is one of the ways we work toward a vision of healthier, more sustainable future.

We live with a deep awareness of our climate crisis and the deep environmental injustices of our time. We commit to four practices, grounded in Unitarian Universalist principles:

• Environmental Justice: We partner with marginalized communities who are hit first and hardest by environmental crisis.  In partnering with these communities we are able to address human and environmental needs at the same time.
• Worship and Celebration: As we work together towards a cleaner, more just and sustainable world, worship inspires our work and reminds us of what is most sacred and most true.
• Religious Education: Our workshops and programs for all ages shape attitudes and build practices that are sustainable and spiritually-grounded.
• Sustainable Living: We treat the world more gently by using fewer resources and being mindful of the choices we make, both as a congregation and as households.

When we became a Green Sanctuary*, the church was required to form an on-going oversight committee, do an extensive audit of the church’s buildings, grounds, and practices, and develop twelve projects including the subject areas of worship, religious education, sustainability and eco-justice. All members of the congregation had to be involved in one or more projects and the church had to reach out to other churches and groups and involve them in an on-going eco-justice project.  Once the qualification requirements of the Green Sanctuary program had been met in November 2006, the UUCD Congregation unanimously approved the following statement regarding our church’s Green Sanctuary efforts:

We understand that the action-plan that we completed was just the beginning of our work to integrate environmental awareness, sustainable practices, and environmental justice into our church community, our personal lives, and our wider communities. We have continued to work on these issues and plan to do so, until Earth herself is once again a healthy Sanctuary for all.

We invite all who share these values to join us on this journey of connection, sustainability, and hope. Contact Judy Moores and Lynne Nittler to get involved. Join our broad and growing movement for climate justice with Commit2Respond.

*The conditions for Green Sanctuary status were changed a few years ago and we have since followed other avenues toward climate justice.