January Create Climate Justice Newsletter
When it seems like bad news is everywhere, what do you do? How do you move through the overwhelm to start something, anything, that matters to you?
Being together with kindred spirits, sharing stories, and focusing on the good and useful things soothes my soul and fortifies my heart for the long work ahead. I firmly believe that together, we can reimagine thriving communities and realize a flourishing world…even if it’s hard to believe at times. I remind myself: there are so many of us doing this good work. When it’s tempting to withdraw, let’s stay connected. Togetherness is a balm and a buoy!
That’s why I want to invite you all to join the Annual Green Sanctuary Team Celebration. This celebration is fun and fast and celebrates our wins and honors the work that was challenging, disappointing, or unfulfilled. Most of all, it is soul-nurturing to see the range of actions - from huge efforts to everyday changes - that our congregations are doing to advance faith-filled climate justice in our communities.
Here are some good things that are helping my spirit right now.
1) Thousands of UUs are reimagining thriving futures through UU Climate Justice Revivals! They’re reckoning with the challenging realities in their communities, overwhelming those challenges with community care, and figuring out how we, as individuals, fit into the larger work of UU climate justice in our congregations. And, they’re having fun while they’re at it! They’re weaving connections across teams, understanding multiple perspectives, and putting their hearts into the transformative work that we need to realize a world with love at the center. When I’m down, I flip through the photos that y’all have shared of your Revivals - check some of them out now! Read on to learn about the upcoming UU Climate Justice Revival Community of Practice Gatherings!
2) While the Revival has taken center stage, we can’t forget the longstanding commitment of our Green Sanctuary Teams! These faithful UUs are bringing life to the Green Sanctuary process: from individual to team, from learning to action - all while nourishing their spirits. There are so many positive stories that come out of the Green Sanctuary teams - come hear some at the Green Sanctuary Celebration on January 29!
3) Whew, that’s a lot, but are we resting on our laurels and patting ourselves on the back? Of course not! (We’re celebrating and plotting!) As soon as the Revival materials were sent out into the world, we turned to revitalizing the Green Sanctuary process to better respond to the changing realities in congregations and the pressing needs of our times. Join the Green Sanctuary New Materials Release on February 19 to learn more! In March and May, we’ll hear from UUs who are using these new materials so we can learn together!
4) And that’s not all! The Green Sanctuary program has inspired UUs and friends to take action on climate and environmental issues for 35 years. We’re planning to celebrate 35 years of Green Sanctuary with President Sofía and friends in April. While the next four years will challenge so much that we hold sacred, no one can take away the good work we are doing in our communities.
5) Finally, my dog is super cute. Seriously. My cats, too! And I have about a hundred beautiful plants that make my house feel like a garden. These things that bring us joy in our lives are just as important to remember
There’s always so much to be grateful for and good work to celebrate. Side With Love’s annual 30 Days of Love has begun with offerings for families, practices for journaling, art, and body, and opportunities for taking action. The week three theme is “Water is Life”.
I hope to see you all next week for the Green Sanctuary Celebration, at an upcoming UU Climate Justice Revival Community of Practice gathering, or any one of the wonderful events we have planned this spring. I promise you’ll feel so much better if you do!
Be well,
Rachel
Image description: Rachel is standing in front of greenery with brown, slightly curly hair to her shoulders, wearing glasses and a heathered blue Create Climate Justice t-shirt.
Rachel Myslivy
Climate Justice Strategist, UUA Side With Love
PS: We’re gathering nominations for two awards: Skinner Sermon Award for the sermon that best speaks to our UU justice values and the Bennett Award for Congregational Action on Human Justice and Social Action, recognizing a congregation that has done exemplary social justice work. Nominate yourself and/or your congregation!
Green Sanctuary Team Celebration
Image description: Graphic with green, blue, pink, and yellow balloons and small clusters of yellow, blue, and pink flowers on a light green background. Green and blue text reads, “Green Sanctuary Celebration. Jan. 29 at 4 PT / 5 MT / 6 CT / 7 ET." The Side With Love and Green Sanctuary 2030 logos are below the text.
Come together to celebrate the good work our congregations are doing to create Green Sanctuary in our communities!
This is one of the most beloved Green Sanctuary Community meetings of the year! You’ll hear so many stories of congregations doing the faithful ministry of climate justice all wrapped up together, plus it’s fun and exciting and inspirational! You’ll leave with a smile on your face and gratitude for the many UUs committed to this important work. Register now.
⭐ Green Sanctuary Teams! Fill out this short form to sign up to share what you’ve been up to. This can be celebrating a win or sharing how you’re reframing your work when things went sideways. We just want to hear from you! Presentations need to be no more than 3 minutes long so we can make room for everyone!
Be sure to invite your team and congregation to join us at the event to celebrate you and others!
Green Sanctuary Community Meetings
Image description: Graphic of the Green Sanctuary meeting spring schedule with text bubbles on a background of crocuses and a pink snail, yellow daffodil, and the Green Sanctuary chalice with a leaf flame. Text reads, “Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meetings. 3rd Wednesdays. 4 PT - 5 MT - 6 CT - 7 ET. Jan. 29, Green Sanctuary Team Celebration. Feb. 19, Green Sanctuary New Materials Release. Mar. 19, Working with the New Green Sanctuary Materials. Apr. 16, Green Sanctuary 35th Anniversary & Call for Renewal. May 21, Working with the New Green Sanctuary Materials."
Mark your calendars for this year’s Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meetings! We’re balancing our time with celebration and a deep dive into the new materials.
Green Sanctuary New Materials Release February 19, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM CT
The Green Sanctuary 2030 materials have been revised and updated to better serve the needs of our dynamic congregations.
Join the February Green Sanctuary Community meeting to learn all about it and how these materials can help you advance climate justice and cultivate thriving communities.
Working with the new Green Sanctuary materials
March 19, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM CT and May 21, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM CT
In February, we released the new Green Sanctuary materials which are designed to be more manageable, accessible, and impactful for all congregations! During our March and May meetings, we'll feature one of the Green Sanctuary teams working through the materials. Learn from each other and build community!
Green Sanctuary 35th Anniversary Call for Renewal with President Sofía Betancourt
April 16, 2025 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET
Celebrate 35 years of Green Sanctuary and renew your congregation's commitment! Join President Sofía and friends to celebrate this impactful and transformative program that has organized UUs to take action on climate for 35 years, and learn about the new Green Sanctuary process that will carry our faith through the coming years. All are welcome! Renew your commitment to faith based actions that advance climate justice in our communities.
What’s next for the Revival?
If you’ve held your congregation's first Climate Justice Revival, you may be wondering what’s next? How do we go from this to that? We shared a doc to help you frame you next moves, starting with REST and CELEBRATION! If you did both of those well enough, you’re probably starting to REFLECT and making moves to SYNTHESIZE and ORGANIZE!
Yes, you can do this! And we’re here to help!
We’re hosting several Revival Community of Practice groups for Revivaling congregations. These informal gatherings will be a way for you to connect with other congregations who are asking the same questions as you are or maybe thinking about things htat haven’t yet crossed your mind. We do the work better together! So join your fellow Revivaling UUs for…
What's next after the Revival? Revival Community of Practice
Come together with other UUs who are also moving through the Rest, Celebrate, Reflect, Synthesize, Organize process following the Revival. Learn together! Make Connections! Move Climate Justice forward together. These informal gatherings will provide ample time for conversation and brainstorming next steps together.
Register: