The Unitarian Universalist Church of Saco and Biddeford in Maine (UUCSB) became an accredited Green Sanctuary on December 15, 2005.  But their commitment towards environmental stewardship didn’t stop there!  On June 9, 2010 their application for re-accreditation candidacy was accepted by a Green Sanctuary review team.

They have focused their efforts on three themes:

• global warming
• energy efficiency
• local, organic and vegetarian food

They secured a grant from Interfaith Power and Light to install doors to block heated air from escaping upstairs into unheated space, raised money for a new Energy Star refrigerator, installed on-demand water heaters, opted for low-flow toilets and “green” flooring in remodeled bathrooms, and learned how to make inside storm mounted windows built on a wooden frame with 2 layers of shrink-wrapped plastic which have been installed in the Parish Hall, offices, classrooms, and congregant houses (they have made 116 to-date).

For three years running they have hosted a Simply Living series of film and discussion. They wrote and adopted a sustainability policy. And engaged members in the Congregational Study Action Issue – Ethical Eating: Food and Environmental Justice for 2008-2012 through book discussion groups, films, a listing of local, organic and vegetarian food sources, and Sunday services.

Now, UUCSB has a new Action Plan with new projects that they plan to complete by July 2011 when they will apply for Re-Accreditation. We are excited that UUCSB has decided to engage in the Green Sanctuary Re-Accreditation process and we look forward to hearing about their progress.