EarthCare Alliance is Here!
From its humble beginnings in 2008, EarthCare has evolved an independent ministry. Here are messages from Spiritual Leader/Sr. Minister Kathy Harwood Long and President Eliasa Sabogal:
As a "service" ministry of Unity, our team is expanding the reach of our work for consciousness and action on behalf of the earth. Special services such as the Solstice Evening led by UEA board president Rev. Eliasa Sabogal, and musician Valerie Mackey from Unity of KC North, PLUS the upcoming Spring Equinox Revival March 20th, are live interactive events in which all can participate through fb. Eco-Advent and Eco-Lent inspirations are happening are available through our fb page. Soon, due to the huge generosity of volunteer webmaster Mark Lickteig from Unity Church of Rochester Michigan, our website will be launched. Until then send your questions and donations re: UEA to me, Kathy Harwood Long: unityearthcarealliance@gmail.com.
History
In 2001, the Unity Northwest region hatched the idea to launch a program to help Unity congregations become better stewards of our planet. That leadership from our region led to development of the Unity Worldwide EarthCare program and to date 49 congregations have become certified EarthCare congregations.
The EarthCare program exists to help your congregation grow and thrive by fostering awareness of our spiritual oneness with our Earth home and promoting active care of creation. The EarthCare program helps with:
-
Guiding congregations through the simple process of getting established as an EarthCare congregation
-
Improving energy, water and waste efficiency at your facilities
-
Establishing environmental education programs
-
And ? (Every EarthCare program is totally unique) …
There are currently eight EarthCare certified congregations in our Northwest region:
A Level Certification
Unity of Anchorage, AK
Unity of Bandon, OR
Unity of Bellingham, WA
B Level Certification
Seattle Unity
Unity of Spokane, WA
C Level Certification
Unity of Beaverton, Oregon
Unity in Lynnwood, WA
Unity Spiritual Community of Central OR, Bend, OR
Unity of Olympia
Getting started is as easy as having your Board and minister agree to environmentally responsible practices and stewardship and then beginning simple practices such as setting up a recycling program or improving energy efficiency. After that, well, the skies the limit! Each EarthCare program is unique based on the congregations needs and interests.
The EarthCare program offers great opportunities for youth engagement and leadership. It also provides opportunities for community events and engagement and drawing interest from younger people who are spiritually interested and also committed to environmental and social action.
Each year leading EarthCare congregations are awarded the Green Star award on stage at the Unity Worldwide convention.
The EarthCare ministry team has members representing each of the U.S regions and we are here to help. The Unity Northwest region member is Cylvia Hayes from Unity of Central Oregon. We would be happy to help you establish, or grow, your congregation’s EarthCare program.
Resources to help:
Contact
Rev. Cylvia Hayes, UWI Core Team
Unity Spiritual Community of Central Oregon
Phone: (541) 617-9013