COUNCIL INFORMATION

1st Sunday – May 4
Worship Council - after service
Contact: Janet Adams 962-4555

2nd Sunday – May 11
Membership Council - after service
Contact: temp. Cynthia Murray – 933-3198

Green Sanctuary - 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Jim Schwing – 933-3198

Kittitas Valley Sustainability Series
Second Sundays - 7:00
May 11 – Robert Kuhlken, Prof. of Geography, will talk about agricultural land use in our valley – and what the future looks like.

3rd Sunday – May 18
Board – 12:30 p.m. after church
Contact: Cynthia Murray – 933-3198

4th Sunday – May 25
Religious Exploration Council - after service
Contact: Lita Malone – 899-3030

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION
Adult: Starting a new program – come at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday and help us decide our next topic.

Children's: Calendar
May 4: Mystery Pals Party
May 17: Pacific Science Center Field Trip
Meet at church at 8:00 a.m. to carpool; bring sack lunch and $7.50 for entrance fee to IMAX, Laser Dome and displays
June 8: Service at Lazy F (time for carpool will be emailed to you later – service starts at 10:30 a.m.)
June 15: Charlotte's Web – children’s service
July ???: Gingko Interpretive Center – TBA
August 15-17: Camping at Horsethief Lake State Park
 

ECO-TIPS

Conserve Energy

Home Shade: In hot areas, if you have west-facing windows use window tints, blinds, deciduous trees or trellises to help keep out heat from the summer sun. In general, you will lower your summer air-conditioning bill by planting trees and bushes along the west side of your home.

Paint Colors: Paint your home a light color if you live in a warm climate and a dark color if you live in a cold climate.

Insulation: Insulate your hot water heater (a tank that is warm to the touch needs added insulation), as well as hot water pipes and ducts located in unheated areas.

Standby Power: Reduce "standby power" (the energy used while an appliance is switched off or not performing) at home and at work. The easiest way is to unplug appliances that are not being used. You can also plug your appliances into power surge protector strips (with multiple electrical outlets) and turn the power off at the strip.

Lights Off: Whenever possible, keep lights off during the day. Consider installing a skylight if more light is needed. Encourage family members to get in the habit of turning off lights when they leave a room (taping small reminder notes to light switches can help).

Location of Home: Choose a place to live that reduces the need to drive (easy access to public transit, easy biking routes, close to work and stores, walk able community, etc.).

Cool Water: When turning on a water faucet, unless you need warm water choose the coolest water setting.

Invest in Energy: One investment option is solar panels which can produce energy for 40 years or more - far longer than it takes to pay off the installation costs (currently around 15 years for homeowners and only 7 years for businesses). Wind power, where available, has a far quicker payback period.

Dark-Sky: Change outside light fixtures so that light does not shine up into the sky. The International Dark-Sky Association works to educate individuals and communities about the use of energy-efficient, properly designed lighting that allows for good night sky viewing.

Green Sanctuary Program to be Managed by UUA Beginning July 1

Dear Friends:

On behalf of the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Ministry for Earth and the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA), we are delighted to share some exciting news. Starting this July, the UU Ministry for Earth's successful Green Sanctuary Program will start to be managed by the UUA as a part of their Congregational Services program.

The Green Sanctuary Program, created and nurtured by the UU Ministry for Earth, has seen exponential growth in recent years, indicating a deep longing by congregations to put their values into action in regard to their Earth concerns. We are proud of the congregations who have taken the work to heart and used the program to challenge themselves to a deeper commitment to a sustainable and just world. After years of dedicated stewardship by the UU Ministry for Earth board, volunteer Regional Coordinators, and congregational activists, this vital program will become the first UUA program devoted exclusively to Earth concerns. The phenomenal success of the Green Sanctuary Program represents the power of committed Unitarian Universalists to transform themselves, their congregations, and their Association.

This transition will allow the busy Ministry for Earth leadership to cultivate important new environmental justice issues and to support UU congregations with congregational resources and training. It will also allow the Green Sanctuary Program to benefit from additional staff and financial resources through our national Association.
UU Ministry for Earth is now moving into a new phase of its work, developing new partnerships and deepening its commitment to bring our religious values into effective and transformative work for justice and sustainability.
We wish to thank the UU Ministry for Earth members, board of directors, and director Rev. Katherine Jesch for their hard work developing the Green Sanctuary Program into a nationally recognized example of spiritually-engaged ecological sustain-ability. Let us take a moment to recognize and celebrate the success of this remarkable program even as we look to expand its reach to more congregations.

In Faith,

Barbara Ford, Board Chair

UU Ministry for Earth

William G. Sinkford
President, Unitarian Universalist Association