Green Sanctuary Grows


In the environmental conscious of many, the Earth is in need of healing from our destructive human behavior. It is only logical the church would fill these shoes to commence a healing ministry to save our planet by changing the mindset of our throw-a-way attitude and high energy consuming habits.
Pike Township resident Ray Wilson has always been concerned about the environment, so it was natural for him to become involved with the Unitarian Universal Church of Indianapolis’ (UUCI) environmental cause. “My grandfather Wilson was a conserving guy. It is in my genes,” he said. Wilson also implemented energy-conserving policies at his workplace during the oil crisis in the 1970s.
“I was the guy lowering the thermostat,” he said.
Wilson and eight other task force members were asked by the congregation of UUCI to implement this national program disseminated from the Unitarian Universal Associations called the Green Sanctuary Program.
The program is more than tossing an aluminum can into a recycle bin outside the church doors. It is an accredited environmental program that will take this congregation about two years to develop before submitting it to the national headquarters for certification. Wilson explained it is carrying out the principle to respect that we are all part of the interdependent web of existence.
An environmental survey among the congregation members and building energy audit were conducted. The survey asked the members about their environmental habits and awareness. It was a detailed survey that combed for information about the use of fertilizers, chemicals, and water usage, driving habits, types of cars, recycling habits, and energy saving techniques. The survey even examined the church’s habits of using fertilizers, chemicals, consumable products of plastic and paper, and cleaning contractors.
Wilson said the audit revealed the church would need to raise about $150,000 to $200,000 to complete the entire energy efficiency list. Some ideas include adding storm windows, electric solar roof and low flow faucets. The electric solar roof could sell its excess production to IPL. The plan also includes developing four acres into an outdoor cathedral of trees and wild life sanctuary. The church already has a community garden for Butler-Tarkington neighbors to use.
The program will define 12 actions steps from the four areas of celebration and worship, environmental justice, religious education, and sustainable living.
Some of the action steps include having some Sunday sermons dedicated to the environment. It also involves creating an environmental education program for the youth and writing an environmental curriculum that promotes our interdependence of life.
The adult programs involve a ten-week film series and reading the book The Great Turning by David Korten. The church is also considering another book for a one book, one church forum like the One City, One Book program. Wilson’s vision is the Indianapolis Marion County Public Library and Mayor Bart Peterson would adopt this book next year for the One City, One Book program.
Wilson would like to see Indianapolis adopt mandatory recycling because the voluntary program is filled with inefficiencies. The fuel cost to drive down the road for only a few bins is negated by the truck fuel needed to collect the small amount of items. The voluntary program is a money-losing program for the city.
“We have to look at the whole system, not just the pieces,” he said.
The green sanctuary program is growing in popularity with other churches. Churches want to incorporate this plan into their church. He said UUCI had a presentation at Spirit and Place program last fall. He said 20 other churches, ranging from faiths of Methodism to Buddhism, attended to this program. The other churches embracing this program became a real springboard to its growing momentum to expand into the community. UUCI’s goal is to create a part-time position through grant money to support spreading this program to other churches. Wilson is amazed by its popularity since their UUCI’s program is still in the development stage of its own program.
Wilson said initially some of the churches inquired to see if there was a resistance among members to implement the program. Wilson said he has not faced any opposition within the UUCI because he believes that most of UUCI members are well informed when it comes to environmental awareness.
Wilson said he thought he was a conservationist by installing a passive solar system in his house and putting out less curbside trash. But from this working with this program, Wilson has continued to learn from other members to further reduce his waste stream that goes to the landfill.
“I use to think that throwing away things was providing energy for downtown as it burned in the incinerator, but now I think about reducing my waste stream further recycling, and using china instead of paper plates and plastic ware at our church.”
The program’s long-range goal is to check to see if people have modified their behavior to make a better sustainable Earth.


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