The Oberlin UU Fellowship has purchased a new building! We wish them well in their new home.

First UU Church of Columbus was featured in a story on the Standing on the Side of Love blog for their "Freedom to Love, Freedom to Marry" event. Please read the full story at the SSL website.

The event was featured in a local newspaper - read the story.

Congratulations to the UU Church of Akron on their receiving recognition from the UUA as a Green Sanctuary.

For more information about the Green Sanctuary Program visit http://www.uua.org/environment/sanctuary/index.shtml

Here is the press release they sent out:

Through a nationwide program affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association, the UU Church of Akron (UUCA) has just received its Green Sanctuary Certification. UUCA is one of only four churches in their Ohio-Meadville District of forty-four congregations (in Ohio, West Virginia, western Pennsylvania, and western New York) to receive this mark of distinction. Unitarian Universalist Churches who receive this honor are dedicated to creating religious communities that have a fundamental, bottom-line, commitment to living in harmony with the Earth by creating sustainable lifestyles for their members as individuals, as a faith community, and as environmental stewards within their local communities.  For more information, visit http://www.uua.org/leaders/environment/greensanctuary/index.shtml.
 
Rev. Tim Temerson, minister of UUCA since 2009, states, "Being certified as a Green Sanctuary is an important step in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron's journey to live its mission. The core principles of Unitarian Universalism affirm a deep and abiding respect for the interdependent web of existence and our mission challenges us to be a 'prominent force for stewardship of the earth.'  As people of faith, we seek to live in harmony with the earth rather than above or against it, and to be good stewards of our planet both within and beyond the walls of our congregation. We view our certification as a Green Sanctuary as both an affirmation of the good work we have done and a challenge to broaden and deepen that work. We are in the midst of a marvelous journey and invite all who seek a community of love and acceptance that strives to live in harmony with the web of life to join us!"
 
Green Sanctuary efforts at UUCA have been lead by the Green Team Committee and its Green Sanctuary Steering Committee sub-group.  The Green Team has been in existence since 2002 and was officially recognized as a committee of the church by Board resolution in December of 2006.  The Green Team Committee is currently co-chaired by UUCA members Allan Lane and Cathy Shocklee.  As co-chairs since August 2008, Allan and Cathy have organized highway clean-ups (along our adopted section of Rt. 18 between the Crystal Clinic and Medina Line Rd.), worked tirelessly in the church kitchen (using china dishes, contributing to our compost bin, seeing that recyclables are collected, etc.), and coordinated our annual Green Faires since 2009. Since 2010, they have expanded the Green Faire to a Green Festival with speical activities spanning from March to April.
 
The UU Church of Akron's newly-acquired Green Sanctuary certification is based on the church community's commitment and adherence  to the following:
 
EDUCATION:

• Offer RE Programs on Ecology.
• Offer Some Services Devoted to Green Issues.
• Promote Organic Foods: We found there was a small segment of our congregants who maintained organic foods in their homes and subsequent educational programs have increased interest in organic foods. Our church hosted an Ohio Ethical Eating meeting in conjunction with the Green Festival in 2010, Ethical Eating was the focus of our Green Festival in 2011, and this year we are offering a class on ethical eating called "Menu for the Future."
• Maintain "Green" Section in UUCA Library.
• Update Green Team Bulletin Board with Relevant Green Topics.
• Feature Articles with "Green" Topics in Monthly Church Newsletter.

WASTE REDUCTION:

• Recycle Plastic Aluminum, Glass and Office Paper.
• Recycle All Paper, Newsprint, and Cardboard through River Valley Paper Company.
• Recycle Ink and Laser Cartridges (a church-wide recycling program is in place for all members, and the church office turns in all cartridges to local office supply stores for credit.
• Compost Kitchen and Grounds Waste.
• Eliminate Use of Disposable Food-Serving Items (the church already predominantly used china plates, glassware and silverware).

ENERGY CONSERVATION:

• Turn off Lights in Empty Rooms and Turn off Office Equipment when not in use.
• Turn off Coffee Machine (on a separate electrical circuit and is always turned off when not in use).
• Turn off Organ (organ’s circuit is always off except when in use).
• Set and Maintain Optimum Temperatures for Hot Water Tanks, Refrigerators and Freezer.
• Define and Maintain Programmed Settings for all Church Thermostats.
• Use All High Efficiency/Florescent Lighting (all incandescent bulbs have been eliminated).
• Working towards implementation of a Congregation-Wide Carpooling Program.

TOXIC SUBSTANCE REDUCTION:           

• Support Policy on Perfumes and Like Substances.
• Use All Green-Rated Custodial Supplies.
• Use Unbleached Coffee Filters.
• Use Biodegradable Nontoxic Dish Soap and Hand Soap.
• Use Nontoxic Fertilizers and Pesticides.

ECOLOGY FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING:

• Support Elimination of Invasive Plants
• Compost Grass Clippings and Yard Waste.
• Sustain Landscaping Supporting Fauna.
• Insure Proper Water Drainage.
• Maintain an Organic Community Vegetable Garden on the Grounds

Are you looking for a way to connect to the global community in a way that makes a difference in the world and the life of a child? Are you up for a life changing and affirming experience? Montana de Luz is an orphanage in Honduras caring for children affected by HIV/AIDS.

A service trip for Unitarian Universalists is being planned for August 8-15. Youth ages 12 and older may participate. (12-13 year olds may travel with an adult 18 years old or older and youth ages 14 and over may participate independently) The group will work at the orphanage on maintenance and other projects during the day while enjoying time with the children playing and interacting in the late afternoons. There is an excursion day included to travel and see nearby cultural sights.

The all inclusive cost for this trip is $1,800 and fundraising tools are provided. Montana de Luz is a non-profit and donations toward trip expenses are tax deductible. For more information please visit www.montanadeluz.org and contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (both of the North UU Congregation of Lewis Center, OH) for more information or to register for this service trip opportunity!

23rd Annual 100+ Family Garage Sale to be held at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Friday, June 15th and Saturday, June 16th from 9 am to 2 pm at 7180 New Perry Hwy (1/2 mile north from Exit 27 & I-90 or 2-1/2 miles south of the Erie Zoo).  Admission is free and numbers will be distributed at 8:00 a.m.  We have it all -- clothing, jewelry, tools, furniture, books, housewares, toys, electronics, etc.!!  Grab lunch from our kitchen and take home some baked goods along with all your bargains!  Any questions, call 864-9300 weekdays between 9 am and Noon or check our website at www.uuerie.org.