Green Sanctuary

Green Sanctuary Designation

Since 2015, our church has been accredited as a Green Sanctuary by the Unitarian Universalist Association. The designation recognizes the work we’ve done in support of the UU Seventh Principle: “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”

Our Green Sanctuary Team is focused on engaging church members with both environmental justice and related social justice issues, such as energy efficiency, recycling, composting, etc., for our building and grounds. The team also promotes outside activities that our members can get involved with to improve the greater Des Moines community.

Our Vision:

1) Congregational Evolution

2) Anti-Oppressive Climate Work

3) Collaboration and Mobilization with organizations throughout the state of Iowa and the UUA.

Our Mission: Bring forth an environmentally sustainable, socially just, spiritually resilient world where we share and use resources to benefit all. Dedicate time and space for education, action, and reflection. Living our UU Values and the Seven (and proposed 8th) Principles into our climate and social justice activism.

We adopted a Statement of Conscience addressing the threat of global warming/climate change. It includes:

  • Treat environmentally responsible practices as a spiritual discipline;
  • Educate ourselves, our children, and future generations on sustainable ways to live interdependently;
  • Practice environmentally responsible consumption and encourage voluntary simplicity among members.”

We have adopted shared leadership. Members are not elected by the group but rotate on or off leadership based on their willingness to serve, and their availability and interest in leading.

We meet monthly. Members are welcome to join us.

To join the Team’s work, please contact Ron Heideman at Green@ucdsm.org.

Learn about your Carbon Footprint!