First Universalist Church

Annual Report 2005–2006

Report from the Green Spirit Committee

Members:  Isabel Denham, Janice Tooker, Marge Titcomb

Purpose: We promote the seventh principle in our community: Respect for the interdependent web of which we are all a part. Projects undertaken by Green Spirit address the goals established by the UUA Green Sanctuary Program:

• Build awareness of societal environmental issues among UU's
• Generate commitment for personal lifestyle changes
• Motivate UU's to community action on environmental issues
• Build connection between spiritual practice and environmental consciousness
• Build awareness of and rectify environmental injustices

An important aspect of our work is turning awareness into action, as we encourage personal lifestyle changes for more responsible living. At the same time, several of these programs generate modest income for our church; everybody wins!

Accomplishments This Year

Building Awareness. We have continued to provide a monthly column to "Channels," building awareness of Fair Trade, Recycling, and other societal environmental issues. 

Recycling Program. This ongoing program has generated church-wide support, using the designated receptacles around the church. We gratefully acknowledge our church members who support our work by signing up to "manage" the recyclables on a monthly basis. The bottle recycling has also been generating modest income for the church.

Cartridge Recycling Program. We have collected about 100 cartridges to sell to "Collect Inc.," a recycling company that will pay us up to $4/inkjet cartridge and $15/toner cartridge. Thank you to all the anonymous donors who leave their cartridges in the box just outside the Library door.

Fair Trade. We established a Fair Trade coffee, tea and chocolate program. Fair Trade coffee and tea are brewed for all church events (including Bean Suppers).  Also, we are offering these Fair Trade products for sale after church services, which contribute $3 to our church for every pound purchased. Thank you to all who purchase!

Earth Day Churchyard Clean-Up. Once again, Green Spirit sponsored the spring clean-up of our church grounds.  An enthusiastic group of 12 cleaned up the grounds in less than 3 hours! Thank you!

The above programs have added about $1,000 to our church coffers!

Goals for the Coming Year

We plan to continue the above programs and to introduce a "Buy Local" program to build awareness of societal environmental issues related to the food we eat.

We invite additional participants to Green Spirit; join our team, or simply support our work – recycle through church bins, buy Fair Trade on Sundays, and help clean up our grounds.

Respectfully submitted,
Marge Titcomb
May 2006