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Northwest Earth Institute



Religious Education ("RE")
"...Explore the material and psychological distractions that prevent us from caring for the Earth, and to acknowledge the connection between our lifestyle choices and the condition of the Earth . . . Clarify earth-related values . . .Explore the meaning of sustainability, to consider the ties between lifestyle choices and their impact on the earth . . . Religious education is key to learning about the complexities of the environmental ~ Green Sanctuary Program Manual
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Educational Resources
BUF Resources UU Resources
Local Resources Regional Resources


BUF Resources
BUF has several resources available for assisting congregational friends and members in their efforts to reconnect with the earth and reduce their footprint.

GSP Website: The GSP website contains many sites that host all different kinds of information. These sites are constantly under construction and updating, so keep checking back. These sites include:
  • Information Center. This site has links to a variety of topic pages dealing with a variety of environmental issues. Topics include: green building and renovation, agriculture and food, energy alternatives, water quality and conservation sustainable living, social/environmental justice, spiritual connections, wildlife conservation, land use and conservation, reduce, reuse, recycle and climate change and global warming.

  • Recommended Reading List. This page provides a listing of the more popular books making the reading circuit. The page includes a brief bio of the author(s) and brief description of the books(s) and also contains links to author(s)' websites.

  • Multimedia List. This page provides a sliting of the more popular films that are making the educational circuit as well. This page is set up by topic and provides a brief description of the film(s).

Also, check out the other site pages in the left menu. There is a lot of information in the sustainable living, environmental justice sections of this website, too! Worship and Celebration is under construction and so is this page!

BUF's Library: BUF's Library is currently on hold. Once located in the old sanctuary, the library was expected to be moved into the Conference Room of the new addition. Once the new addition was completed, it was realized that the Conference Room was not large enough to be host to the multitude events and activities and the library as well. It was then decided that the library would be moved into the old social hall, an ideal use of that space. However, several projects need to be completed in the old social before the library moved in and set up. Once those projects are completed, GSP members will be ready to start setting up the library. There will be a section dedicated to environmental studies where friends and members can check out both books, magazines and videos on a variety of environmental issues. Click here to see our currently book holdings and keep in mind that we are always on the look out and happy to take any donations!

Worship Service Archives: BUF's Library is also home to the audio collections of BUF services. Several times a year, BUF services incorporate and/or emphasize aspects of a variety of environmental and social justice issues. For the time being, check with the church administrator about checking out worship recordings, until the policies, procedures and governing committee of the new Libary are established.


UU Resources
Unitarian Universalists Association. UUA has several resources available for assisting congregations, church leadership, members and friends in dealing with environmental and environmental justice issues. Resources of the UUA include: Some UU courses with environmental topics include:
  • Gather the spirit: Gather the Spirit is an eight-session, multigenerational program that teaches stewardship with a focus on water. Perhaps, today, there is no more compelling focus for our stewardship than the clean, drinkable water all life on Earth requires. This program addresses the importance of water, the inequity of access to clean water, and actions we can take as Unitarian Universalist stewards.
  • Rise Up and Call Her Name: As we experience aspects of traditions that have honored the Earth as a teacher for centuries, we begin a profound dialogue with ways, people, and practices we may never have heard of before. This is a beginning—the first sentences in a continuing conversation with those whose cultures, practices, contemporary artists and thinkers have something quite valuable to say about how they experience themselves on the Earth. Rise Up is an attempt to delve into the following characteristics of these systems.
UUA Religious Education. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) offers lifespan faith development resources for education, worship, advocacy, and social action that nurture Unitarian Universalist (UU) identity, spiritual growth, a transforming faith, and vital communities of justice and love.

Unitarian Universalist Ministry For the Earth: UU Ministry for Earth is an affiliate organization of the UUA, and as, such is a separate not-for-profit with an independent Board of Directors. From its beginnings in 1999 as the Seventh Principle Project, UUMFE has sought to both influence UUs at all levels to make the Seventh Principle (respect for the interdependent we of which we are all a part), more central to their lives and theology. The UU Ministry for Earth is intending to be a connector--supporting and inspiring individuals, congregations, ministers, UUA leadership and staff, and other UU organizations to lift up voices for Earth from within our denomination. The UUMFE offers several publications and programs in helping congregations reconnect with the Earth.


Local Resources
BUF is extremely fortunate for being located within Whatcom County, Washington. Whatcom County and the city of Bellingham are the homes to several different enviromental and environmental justice organizations. Those organizations offering informational and educational programs include, but are not limited to:


Regional Resources
Northwest Earth Institute. NWEI's hallmark program is a series of discussion courses available for small groups anywhere in North America. The courses provide an enjoyable, supportive setting in which to examine personal values and habits, engage in stimulating conversation, create meaningful community, and consider ways to take action towards creating a more sustainable future.

Washington Interfaith Power and Light. Earth Ministry is a non-profit organization committed to engaging the Christian community in environmental stewardship. We work in partnership with individuals and congregations to respond to this great moral challenge through education, individual and congregational lifestyle choices, and organizing for social change through environmental advocacy. While Earth Ministry is rooted in the Christian tradition, we actively engage all religious communities on climate and energy issues through Washington Interfaith Power & Light. Our programs and resources are in use across the US and Canada and available to all.
Upcoming RE Events
Multigenerational Events Youth Education Events
Adult Education Events Past Events


Multigenerational Events
No events planned at this time.



Youth Education Events
No events at this time



Adult Events
RE Adult Sunday Forums

Green Sanctuary has offered to provide a speaker for the RE Adult Education forum series at least for every third Sunday of the month. We will bring in a local community organization to present information and lead a discussion in specific environmentally-related issue.

After much discussion, we will be encouraging presenters from the community to talk about the issuesthat make their organizations/programs necessary in Whatcom County, rather than what their only their organizations/programs do.

The line up for all the Adult Sunday Forums for January are yet to be determined



Past Events
To see our children's past green events click here.

To see our adult past events click here to see the past events page.