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Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst
Sustainable Community Initiative

Mission Statement

The mission of the Sustainable Community Initiative (SCI) of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst is to create understanding of and to work toward the sustainability of our society and the earth. To this end, this initiative will include education about sustainability, social action, justice and environmental outreach projects, and spiritual reflection on the nature and purpose of our work toward sustainability as individuals and as a religious community.

How did this Initiative came about?

At the Board of Trustees retreat in September 2007 one topic of discussion began with our recognition of and appreciation for the various social justice and outreach commitments that are already a part of what UUSA individuals and committees are doing in the larger community. The Board began to see a connection among the many projects that were already in place as well as with those we were suggesting as possible further congregational outreach projects. This connection was sustainability, the ability of individuals, families, towns, states, countries, and our world to survive the ravages of humanity on itself and the planet. Thus began what we are calling the "Sustainable Community Initiative."

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability is not merely a buzz word that applies only to environmental issues such reducing our consumption of energy, or maintaining the tropical rainforest, or buying into local community supported farms. It is an ecological word that speaks to every environmental, sociological, political, economic, justice and religious set of relationships you can think of. It is about the interdependent web of all existence in which everything we do has some effect and moves us either toward a sustainable web or toward a time when the web will disintegrate beyond repair.

How will this change what happens at the UUSA?

For life on earth to be truly sustainable, our lives, our personal choices, even our thinking will of necessity need to change. The Sustainable Community Initiative will give direction to much if not all of the work we do as a congregation within our Society, for the greening of our building, and toward a more equitable, free, and compassionate world. We imagine educational opportunities, newsletter columns, a pamphlet describing the Sustainable Community Initiative umbrella under which UUSA lives and works, and a Society-wide ownership of our communal efforts toward a sustainable world. Most of all, we anticipate that moving with purpose and thoughtfulness into this initiative will spur further outreach (and in-reach) projects, creating a healthy balance between our personal spiritual work and our larger vision to help a hurting world. Sustainability will become a focal point for the work of many of our committees and programs. We have the talent within our congregation, and the passion, too, to make this a very viable and productive time in the life of our Unitarian Universalist Society. We have already been working toward this goal; now we will see it with more clarity and intent.

Committee on Sustainable Community Initiative:
Rev. Alison Wohler
Rebecca Fricke
Nan Wiegersma

Summary of how our Society's
committees are working towards
a more sustainable community 		SCI Events

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