Contact/Chairpersons:
Linda DeLap, linda.delap@gmail.com
Caroline Gower, caroline.g.gower@gmail.com

Meets:
Second Tuesday of the month at MUF
6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Everyone is welcome

2011/2012 Meeting Dates:
Jul 12/Sept 13/Oct 11/Nov 8/Dec 13/Jan 10/Feb 14/March 13/Apr 10/May 8

The purpose of the Green Earth Ministry (GEM) of the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship (MUF) is to facilitate and support the work of MUF members and friends by affirming and promoting Unitarian Universalist (UU) principles, including the seventh: “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” GEM is the environmental committee at MUF. Our meetings are open to all. Please join us and share your vision of a greener Earth.

In June 2002, The Seventh Principle Project (an affiliate organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association, now called the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) certified MUF as a Green Sanctuary. We are proud of the designation. GEM coordinates its activities with those of UUMFE. For information about UUMFE, see http://uuministryforearth.org/cgi/nes.cgi

In 2009 the UU Office of Congregational Stewardship Services invited long-standing Green Sanctuary congregations to apply for re-accreditation. After months of collaboration among staff, congregational leaders, and committee members, we submitted an application in February 2010. We are pleased to announce that, on March 12, 2010, the Office of Congregational Stewardship Services formally welcomed our congregation as the first to engage in re-accreditation candidacy, stating that they were “impressed with our plans for continued Earth stewardship.” Our action plan, which they characterized as “diverse, well balanced, and exciting,” included Rev. Alison Miller’s excellent Sunday service about the 7th Principle on March 14, 2010, and showing of the film A Chemical Reaction (about safe lawn care) on March 12, 2010.

Our committee’s work includes

• Encouraging green practices at home and at MUF, including changes in the building and grounds

• Collaborating in presentation of environmentally themed Sunday morning programs

• Providing educational opportunities at MUF

• Making our voices heard through letter writing and public forums

• Supporting implementation of UUA’s new Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice Statement of Conscience One step toward this goal is to eat less meat. See: www.meatlessmonday.com

• Encouraging “Greening” events at MUF. If dishwashing is not possible for your event, GEM recommends using biodegradable products such as those made from sugarcane fiber or recycled paper. A list of sources for biodegradable single-use items is provided here: Recommended Alternatives

Recent activities include

• In support of MUF’s Signature Social Justice Project to alleviate hunger and homelessness in our community, GEM began collaboration with Grow-it-Green Morristown to support community gardening and healthful eating for school children.

• MUF participated in a worldwide event in support of 350.org’s global day of climate action as one of 7347 registered sites. Thirty-five members, children, and friends held a Work Party/Celebration on October 9, 2010.

• To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day. GEM sponsored a 40/40/40 event in which participants committed to practice one of 40+ ethical practices for 40 days. Sample actions can be found at 40/40/40 sample actions for ethical eating.

• GEM hosted lunches and screening of the film Tapped in April 2011 and the film Dirt! The Movie in October 2011.

Please pick up the green-colored flyer in the foyer, which lists many of the other activities of GEM. All our welcome to attend our committee meetings and participate in our activities.