Dear Climate Justice Champion,
Green Sanctuary Ministry (GSM) is blessed to announce New leadership, new Co-Chairs are (GSM) Members Bob and Victoria Hendricks.
Beki & Richard Halpin and Rev. Chris say “Welcome, Victoria & Bob, Thank you for the generosity of your Time, Talent and Treasure to this critical planet saving/ life saving work.”
Bob and Victoria are seasoned Planet Champions. They are leaders in reclaiming our livable climate with the Sierra Club, Citizen’s Climate Lobby (CCL) and other partners. Their expertise, passion and inclusiveness invite all of us to participate in creating a livable, thrivable, future.
Join us in welcoming Bob & Victoria, if your available, let them know you will attend the next Climate Crises/Solutions meeting Tuesday, August 6th at 6:30 p.m. for potluck and 7 p.m. for meeting. in Howson Hall or by Zoom. green@austinuu.org
Here is a list of current- 7/1/’24, Green Sanctuary Ministry (GSM) projects, supported activities and resources. The new GSM leadership will have their own priorities, I’m sure climate restoration will be at the top.
We’ve done a lot of work together, Dear Planet Champion. Work we are doing & Resources are here for you.
Make a difference actions:
A hands-on fun meeting to act on Fossil fuels, plastics and other critical Climate issues. The first Tuesday of the month GSM hosts the Sierra Club with Bob & Victoria Hendricks, Climate Crises/Solutions Meeting. in Howson Hall. 6:30 PM potluck, 7 Mtg. begins. Good Company * things get done.
Inside Book Project (IBP) sent 35,000 free reading & learning materials to Texas Inmates last year. 100% volunteer/collective run, no paid staff. GSM applies, and is funded, each year by our church “Monthly Service Offering”.
Sanity & Life saving, our Congregants donate thousands of books & hundreds of volunteer hours. We need a volunteer to take church book donations to IBP, @ Vesper Church 3106 E.14 1/2 St. and Airport Blvd. about every other week. Respond to: green@austinuu.org
Please hold book donations until after Thursday, August 1st. https://insidebooksproject.
FOOD: Big Carbon Footprint:
Church Members are eager to do more with Vegan food and love of animals. If interested, email: szRiddle@gmail.com
Stop Planet Heating:
Austin Fossil Fuels, Coal & Gas. Burning fossil fuels is the single biggest climate killer/Earth life extinction danger. The cause of this heat dome!
Current Action: Our work supporting the fossil fuel free Community Generation and Climate Protection Plan & Replacing the Fayette coal burning Power Plant will save lives.
Also>Take action here> Message: https://actionnetwork.org/
You can make a difference! Come to First Tuesday Meeting. or reach out to: Bob & Victoria @: roberthhendricks@aol.com
Promote: Clean renewable planet/money saving sustainable alternatives:
WIND POWER, BIO ENERGY, SOLAR POWER, GEOTHERMAL POWER, And new Plant and recycled power sources are coming …Also: Conservation, Conservation & Conservation.
Regifting is our annual ‘loaves & fishes’ type Christmas Gifting miracle. Usually the 2nd or 3rd December Sunday. Congregants bring in new & gently worn treasures to be shared free with anyone looking for Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, or other sacred holiday gifting items.
Proposed High Level Nuclear Waste Texas dumping:
We need to watchdog the pernicious attempts to overcome (appeal) the court decision to not allow high-level nuclear waste to be shipped by train and dumped (<click on this open link) in West Texas near the Ogallala Aquifer & Permian Basin. follow up>: Beki & Richard: texeagle@aol.com
Forever Chemicals, PFAS We must control in our own drinking water and educate our community:
Link> https://health.
NO PLASTICS:
“About 58% of microplastic in oceans and waterways comes from paint on deteriorating plastic. Natural oil, mineral, or in the long term graphene-based paints could fix this problem. Join “No Plastics Team” at First Tuesday meeting.
*2022 report from Swiss consulting firm “Environmental Action.”
Free Coloring Books:
Endangered Species Coloring Books for learning fun. (for easy church and school distribution: link> )
https://www.epa.gov/sites/
Church Financial Incentives for energy improvements :
UUA Green Sanctuary Connections, Climate, Funding y more:
UUA Climate Revival rolling out Summer/Fall 2024:
Link> https://www.uuclimatejustice.
Inflation Reduction Act = Federal funds to help pay for improving energy use in home, business and Houses of Worship.
Bob Hendricks is a state & local IRA special matter expert. Here is his informative IRA slide show. Link>: https://docs.google.com/
Rachel Myslivy is the UUA contact for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) resources primer <link, Financial $$$$$ Incentives for Energy Investments at Houses of Worship.
Also contact Rachel for Peer Learning IRA funding opportunities-(many UU churches are sharing information on their plans for solar & other energy/money saving projects) & *Green Sanctuary Ministry UUA Base:
*Note: We are one of at least ten certified Green Sanctuary Ministry (GSM)Texas projects. These ten Texas Green Sanctuary Ministries are they Potential Climate Restoration collaborators ?
GSM has collaborated with our church groups like: The FORUM Committee (Jim Hightower & others), The Men’s Fellowship Breakfast Group and The Earth Keepers- info@austinuu.org> getting the word out to work on our campus landscape. Our church Social Action Council is an example bringing our values alive. Church committees working together get so much done.
Green space living = Aging more slowly:
Highlight & Open Link>: Cells of people living in greener areas age more slowly, research finds theguardian.com
It has been a privilege to collaborate with you, Planet Champion.
LOVE,
Beki & Richard Halpin
Former Co-Chairs, Green Sanctuary Ministry
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Austin
