Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth has received a $6,000 challenge grant from the UU Funding Program to provide support for UUA Districts furthering the work of building a just and sustainable future for life on our planet. The grant provides for direct work with four Districts, but will provide a template for other Districts or regions to use in strengthening their Earth ministry. It also gives UUMFE the opportunity to build organizational capacity by identifying potential new members and donors.
Three districts have been selected for the initial effort: Northern New England, St. Lawrence, and Ohio Meadville. A fourth District will be added in the fall. For the detailed program description and information about applying to participate see:
Each of the three Districts received a $500 matching grant. Individuals and congregations within each District are helping to fund the $500 match. The Districts have administered a survey of the environmental interests and needs of their congregations and all are planning fall conferences to address those needs.
The Ohio Meadville District will be holding its conference in Youngstown on October 23rd focusing on Green Leadership. David Orr, well-known environmental author and chair of the Oberlin College’s Environmental Studies program, will be the keynote speaker. Workshops will focus on building green commitment in congregations and building green partnerships in the community.
The St. Lawrence District has selected Re-Thinking Social Justice within an Eco-Justice Moral Framework as the theme of its Fifth Annual Social Justice Conference to be held October 30th at May Memorial UU Society in Syracuse. Worship, a keynote address by Rev. Kate Braestrup, and a number of workshops will be offered as part of the day.
The Northern New England District is planning a two-day event November 5 and 6 at Second Congregational Society Unitarian Universalist in Concord, New Hampshire. On Friday, an optional pre-conference workshop, Awakening the Dreamer, will be held for those over sixteen years of age. Through dynamic group interactions, leading edge information, and inspiring multimedia, participants of this workshop are inspired to reconnect with their deep concern for our world, and are empowered to make a difference. The multigenerational conference will begin Friday evening with supper and worship and continue on Saturday with spiritual grounding, sharing of stories and resources, parallel programming for children and adults, and interest/action groups. Meals will be created from locally grown foods made by teams of congregations.
UU Ministry for Earth has worked with each District on organizing the survey, raising the matching funds, thinking through the conference design, connecting to other resources, and will have representatives at each of the conferences.