Green Sanctuary August 2024 News
UUA Climate Revival Event! Save the Date – Rescheduled for November 16 and 17
The UU Climate Justice Revival will equip UU congregations with climate action that intentionally and faithfully breaks down silos and cultivates relationships that transform us. The two-day event will help develop skills to advance intersectional climate justice, provide space to build capacity, chart a course for advancing climate justice, and deepen our relationships with each other. Saturday will be about facilitating conversation and Sunday will be about worship and advocacy. There will be child care and good snacks for both days.
Center for Worker Justice Sewing Class – A joint project of Green Sanctuary and Social Justice
The Green Sanctuary Team reached out to the Center for Worker Justice simultaneously as they wanted to start a sewing class. The Green Sanctuary Team worked with CWJ to find funding and a teacher. The class of 14 immigrant women were introduced to using a sewing machine and are learning to sew, as of July 16th. The project was pulled together by Sally Hartman and Deb Schoelerman.
Projects like this help cultivate adaptation and resilience in disadvantaged communities. With sewing skills, the women can sustainably mend clothing instead of throwing them away, and can also learn to repurpose used clothing. Members of the Green Sanctuary Team are volunteering in the class, which has rewards, including new friendships.
August Better Together Challenge – Volunteer
Each month of Better Together we have actions that members of the congregation can take to address climate Mitigation, Adaptation, Resilience, and Justice. Our focus for the summer is Adaptation to the new circumstances created by climate change. One way to adapt is to connect with others by volunteering:
- What Are You Looking For? Start by figuring out what you want to give your time and talents to. You can ask: what change you want to see in the world; what is the most urgent problem to address; what issues do you pay attention to.
- What Can You Offer? Then figure out what you have to offer. Can you translate? Are you good with numbers? Do you like to work outside with plants and animals? Do you have teaching skills? Are you good at carpentry, plumbing, or wiring? Can you write or edit? Can you keep track of details and carry out plans? Are you good with people? All these are examples of skills that organizations can use. When you know what you can offer, figure when and how often you can volunteer. For example, do you like working on projects that are over and done, or staying with things that require regular effort over the long haul?
- Who Can Connect You? Talk to someone volunteering in an area you are interested in. Here are some folks at church who can share their experience. If you don’t already know them, ask someone you do know to introduce you. Or ask that person if they volunteer with something!
- Contacts:
- Bonnie Penno, Habitat for Humanity, Prison Ministry, 4-H, Free Lunch
- Frank Wildensee, Table to Table (food rescue), TRAIL (independent living), Free Lunch, Rewiring America
- Craig Mosher, Sr. Center Death Cafe, Citizens Climate Lobby, Johnson Co. Clean Energy District
- Marsha Cheney, Girl Scouts, Iowa City Fab(rication) Lab, UUS RE, UUS Worship Associate
Our August Meeting Will be Hybrid!
Green Sanctuary is planning an in-person meeting at church Wednesday August  14, 7 pm but we also have a zoom option at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88132264216 for folks who prefer it. Contact Jan Weaver at jan.weaver57@gmail.com for more information or to get on our email list.
