A Green Sanctuary

As a recognized Green Sanctuary, 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.

We invite all who share these values to join us on this journey of connection, sustainability, and hope. Contact Margie Gonwa at margie.gonwa@gmail.com to get involved.

SURVEY for 2024

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The Wildflower Garden (List of flowers in our garden, established in 2022)

Green Sanctuary Annual Report: 2023-2024

Conducted a month-long series of earth-centered activities in April 2024 honoring Earth Day, including two First Forums, a hike in the Cook County Forest Preserves, a plant give-away, and an electronics recycling project. Rev. Scott Aaseng, Executive Director of UUANI

  • (Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of IL), Rev. Dave, Lifespan RE Director Elizabeth McCreless, and Music Director Adam O’Dell provided environmentally-related worship services and Time for All Ages on April 7, April 14 and April 28, and Music Sunday on April 21 amplifying the environmental theme.
  • Conducted two earth-centered First Forums. On April 14, Roger Blomquist, retired Principle Nuclear Engineer at Argonne Lab, presented “Nuclear Power and Climate Change,” describing how nuclear power fits into the fight to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate climate change. On April 28, the GSC conducted “Eating Sustainably Through Animal Protein Reduction,” followed by a luncheon featuring meatless fare prepared by GSC members and friends. Both First Forums were very well-attended.
  • Actively conducted and supported environmentally-related actions: provide year-round styrofoam recycling transporting carloads of Styrofoam to the Dart Industries recycling center, introduced a fall and spring electronics recycling collection, assisted with a beach clean-up, and maintained membership in the Southeast Environmental Task Force.

POTENTIAL CHALLENGES IN THE UPCOMING YEAR

Integrating into the GSC’s work the climate change priorities highlighted by the congregation at the Social Justice Retreat. Calls for action included: advocating for environmental policies, celebrating and enjoying nature, educating ourselves and others about environmental justice, and taking practical actions to reduce our environmental impact. This will require inspiring and recruiting greater participation and leadership in the GSC, utilizing UUA Green Sanctuary resources, and becoming more externally-facing by collaborating more actively with our local and Chicago-wide environmental organizations such as the Great Lakes Commission and the Southeast Environmental Task Force which is working to curb pollution in low-income, southside neighborhoods. The GSC thanks Richard Pardo and Ross Blythe both of whom moved out of state. Their leadership as chairs of the GSC will be sorely missed. Environmentalism, including climate change, is a priority for many of our newer and younger members, and we will be challenged in the coming year to recruit participants and to re-organize and re-focus the GSC to best serve the interests and availability of our members.