| An independent affiliate
of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA),
the Seventh Principle
Project (SPP) seeks to manifest the eco-spiritual
vision expressed in the seventh principle of Unitarian
Universalism, which calls for “respect for
the interdependent web of all existence of which
we are part.” By providing environmental
education and resources for discussion and action,
SPP aims to help Unitarian Universalists address
environmental concerns on both personal and institutional
levels. SPP’s Green Sanctuary program guides
participating UU churches through a greening process
to help them integrate the seventh principle—respecting
the interdependent web—into all levels of
church life, including worship, education, communication,
material and energy resource use, and environmental
justice. The goals of the Green Sanctuary accreditation
program are to raise awareness about environmental
concerns, encourage personal lifestyle changes,
generate environmental action at the community
level, link spirituality and ecology, and promote
environmental justice. Information and guidelines
about this program can be found in The Green
Sanctuary Manual, published by the SPP and
on the SPP website. In addition to promoting the
development of environmentally
responsible UUA churches, SPP provides advice and
support to the UUA on religion and ecology. Over
the past forty years, the UUA has issued a number
of Resolutions concerning natural resources and
the environment. One of these Resolutions endorsed
the Earth Charter in 2002, joining numerous secular
and religious institutions in the global movement
for a just, sustainable, and peaceful society.
In addition to its newsletter, SPP provides a Green
Sanctuary e-mail list-serve for a lively exchange
of ideas and experiences. Along with its Green
Sanctuary program, SPP facilitates workshops, conference
programs, and retreats to help people of faith
link their religious beliefs with their ecological
values and to explore ways to live out these values
in the world. While SPP programs are designed primarily
for Unitarian Universalists, the approach to a
greener faith is not theologically dependent. SPP
programs, including Green Sanctuary, have an appeal
to members of other faith traditions as well. |
| Unitarian Universalist |
North America
(primarily the United States of America and Canda) |
| 1991–Present |
The Seventh Principle Project was established
in 1991 by a group of Unitarian Universalists
committed to finding ways to live their faith
in a more ecologically
sustainable way. With EcoSpirit New England,
SPP founders published the Green Sanctuary
Handbook as a resource for members to accomplish this
goal.
In 1999, SPP determined to place greater emphasis
on implementing the Green Sanctuary Program within
congregations. A formal process for accreditation
was instituted to recognize congregations that
complete a series of activities that accomplish
the Program goals. References and resources for
the Program were updated in 2000, and again in
2003, and an electronic list-serve has been added
for members to share their experiences and ideas
concerning the various program components.
|
| “The mission of the Seventh Principle Project
is to facilitate and support the work of Unitarian
Universalists, by affirming and promoting the seven
principles of the UUA, including the seventh, ‘respect
for the interdependent web of all existence of
which we are a part.’ We do this by focusing
on the theological, spiritual, and ethical aspects
of human values and activities that affect the
health and sustainability of the living earth.” |
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Seventh Principle
Project
Rev. Katherine Jesch, Director of Environmental
Ministry for SPP P.O. Box 1523
Arlington, VA 22210
Ph: 703.920.3615
Email: kathjesch@earthlink.net
|
