SUSTAINABLE SANCTUARY COALITION MEETING MINUTES
March 3, 2008, at Village Church
Attending : Jerry Rees, Village Presbyterian Church; RoseTherese Huelsman, Guardian Angels Catholic Church; Curt Straub, Unity Church of Overland Park; Barbara Shepard, Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church; Terry Wiggins, All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church; Chuck Gillam, Village Presbyterian Church; Rita Norton, All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church; Osa Moody, Holmeswood Baptist Church; Barbara Chaplin, Leawood United Methodist Church; Krystal Anton, Center for Spiritual Living; Janice Grant, Countryside Christian Church, Eileen Horn, Climate and Energy Project; Diane Kuhn, Colonial United Church of Christ; Carol Meyer, St. Pius X Catholic Church, Margaret Thomas, Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church.
Gathering
Call to Order: Chuck called the meeting to order at 7:05.
Meditation : Terry read a story by Robert Fulghum.
Minutes : Terry agreed to write the meeting’s minutes.
Attendance List : Terry handed out copies to those who had not been able to open the Excel file she had distributed.
Kansas City Star letter : Thank you, Carol.
Introduction : Krystal Anton, Center for Spiritual Living, attended to talk about Signature Gathering.
Board of Directors Meeting
Given that Christine is no longer active, and Barbara Chaplin has assumed the treasurer responsibilities, it was proposed, moved, seconded, and passed unanimously that she be added to the Board of Directors. Other Directors are Margaret, Chuck, and Terry. Susan Pavlakis and Jerry are the active Incorporators.
Ongoing Activity Updates
We received word today from Melissa Hope that plans for the proposed, and approved, coal-fired power plant near Norborne, MO. have been abandoned “in favor of clean energy.”
The Holcomb, KS power plant situation was discussed. It has been in State House committee for revisions for the last week and a half. A large rally is planned for March 11; Margaret thinks it’s still do-able to get this plant cancelled. All were encouraged not only to come, but also to recruit members of their churches.
GPACE : Jerry, Chuck, and Margaret had decided before the last meeting to join GPACE (Great Plains Alliance for Clean Energy.) At the last meeting, we tabled the issue, because we needed more information. Jerry read a message from Scott Allegrucci clarifying the meaning of GPACE. Jerry said that joining GPACE would be no different than what we have done with the Missouri Clean Energy Council and that it helps them to have our name as a supporter. It was moved, seconded and approved that we join GPACE.
Reports from churches:
Barbara Shepard reported that the environmental committee at Shawnee Mission UU Church, one of the larger committees, promotes recycling, and a monthly Clean Motion Sunday, which encourages walking, biking, and carpooling to church. They have rideshare groups listed in their directory. The committee does a monthly coffee hour at which they get people together in their groups. They cannot do much about their property as they’re considering moving, and they need more support from the pulpit.
RoseTherese reported that although her parish is not active, she and Carol did a retreat Saturday for 27 people. Quite a number of parishes are eager to start environmental work.
Carol reported that the Lenten program at Pius X has been focused on Earth. The Catholic newspaper in Kansas had a 2-page spread featuring it. They have a Monday night film series, and a speaker for about 10 minutes after services. Their pastor is supportive.
Diane indicated that Colonial UCC environmental members have gone before their council to suggest a green audit. Notice that the Justice & Peace group is forming a Green Team will come out this week.
Janice reported on pockets of interest at Countryside Christian. They have a paper recycling bin, and Kettle Keepers to green the kitchen.
Osa talked about “mugging the church” – replacing other disposable cups with mugs – at Holmeswood Baptist. There is also paper, aluminum can, and clothing recycling.
Barbara Chaplin spoke of her church being in turmoil and departure of clergy and members, so it is not a good time for environmental care activities.
Curt indicated that the UCOP Green Team stumbled and was revived about 3 years ago. Last week they had a program that Julie Koppen of Greenability Magazine moderated. They have done a complete energy audit, and will soon be seeing where the Board is going with their recommendations. Through Kansas Forestry, they buy trees at nominal charge to give to the kids. They have some hierarchy resistance.
Krystal ’s church is assembling a team for Earthwalk, is gathering signatures for the Renewable Energy Standard in Missouri, and will be looking at their new building.
Terry and Rita talked about the certification program that they are working on through the UU Ministry for Earth, with the final action being the professional energy audit. Recycled paper and Fair Trade Coffee and Chocolate sales have been their fundraiser, along with their periodic Eat Your Values lunches, which emphasize local, low on the food chain, organic, and low trash meals. Terry will forward the list of April Earth Films when she receives it.
Chuck and Jerry talked about Village’s pastor being on board with Earth care, which makes it easier. April 20 will be youth Sunday, with an environmental theme, and CFLs will be sold as a fundraiser.
Other:
RoseTherese shared hot-off-the-press news that her religious community’s motherhouse renovation (of a historic property to LEED gold standard) will be featured on the Today Show on March 17. A 27 minute video about the renovation, and the conversion to seeing ourselves in relation to the world, will be shown at St. Pius on March 10.
Osa will call Bridging the Gap regarding recycling Styrofoam at places other than Metro North.
Carol suggested that once a month one person could solicit ideas on a particular topic that we could share.
Chuck passed out list of contacts he had gathered at various events. The names were assigned to individuals to call to invite them to SSC or talk about their interest.
New Activities:
Shawnee Mission East High School Earth Fair : Eileen Horn is providing info on the Climate and Energy Project.
Farmers Exhibitions : Terry passed around a sign-up sheet for the two events:
Hunter Lovins , author of Natural Capital, will be speaking at the Kansas City, MO public library on March 4.
Climate and Energy Project : Eileen Horn described the Congregational Commitments Program Proposal [to be attached] that she wrote. She described it as modeled on Al Gore’s presenters, but more personalized to particular faiths. A major effort for SSC will be to help get congregations to the conference, which Eileen said would be regional, not just Kansas, as the proposal is written.
Renewable Energy Standard : Krystal Anton described the Renewable Energy Standard, which would require Missouri utilities to gradually increase their use of renewable energy. She is leading the petition circulation process in the spiritual community. Several people agreed to stay after the meeting for a brief training.
Group Vision:
RoseTherese reminded us that last time we identified “compartmental thinking” as the primary barrier for the group to address. We discussed doing so at a separate retreat – possibly on a Saturday morning – in May or June. We will decide next month.
Margaret suggested that we have a template for our agenda with our mission statement on the top.
RoseTherese expressed that the agenda should focus on the good of the group, while Chuck opined that this is an organization of volunteers and that we need to focus on what they want. Jerry thinks diversity is good. Carol liked the previously proffered idea of 3 people preparing an agenda, so that not all the power over the meetings is in one person. Chuck thought it would have been too difficult to get together. RoseTherese asked if a good meeting is one that takes into consideration all the things that have come up since the last meeting, or one that moves the group forward on its mission.
Carol will moderate next meeting. The others in the trio to set the agenda: Chuck and Curt.
Barbara Chaplin distributed a Treasurer’s report, which showed $84.06 in donations, for an ending balance of $515.81.
Next Meeting: April 7, 7-9pm, Village Church
Respectfully submitted,
Terry Wiggins