Green Sanctuary

Working Together to Restore Earth and Renew Spirit

In 2012, First Parish in Wayland was formally recognized by the UUA as a Green Sanctuary Congregation. This approval represented the culmination of nearly a decade of effort by our Green Sanctuary Committee and the congregation to make us all more knowledgeable and responsive about issues related to climate change, energy consumption, eating practices, and sustainability. You can read more about the UUA’s Green Sanctuary program here.

As a Green Sanctuary, First Parish in Wayland is doing our part to create a world in which all people make reverence, gratitude, and care for the living Earth central to their lives. We enthusiastically embrace the goals of the community resiliency promoted by TransitionWayland.

Here are some of the activities that are led by our Green Sanctuary Committee:

Food Pantry Garden: At the First Parish Food Pantry Garden, we raise food organically for distribution to needy families. First Parish and other community youth move composted organics contributed by members to the beds each fall. First Parish members plant and tend the garden throughout the spring, summer and early fall, bringing produce to local shelters and food kitchens.

Environmental Awareness: Each April we devote a Sunday service to environmental awareness, in support of the 7th Unitarian Universalist principle: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. We also teach Sunday School classes on healthy and ethical eating practices, and the benefits of composting food scraps.

Energy Efficiency: We worked with the church leadership to install a new efficient heating system and lighting. In 2019, the church installed solar panels on the Parish House roof. Click here to see the energy savings from our solar panels. 

Composting: We compost organics (coffee grounds, of course!) on site and recycle paper, plastics and metals weekly at First Parish. Some committee members work closely with the Wayland schools to promote recycling and energy conservation.

School Gardens: Green Sanctuary members have worked with the Wayland Schools Green Team to build vegetable gardens
at each school in town.

Roxbury Youth Program: Committee members have mentored the Roxbury Youth Program garden. To help, please contact Susan Crowley-Bechtel.

Earth Day: Green Sanctuary Committee members help to organize the town’s Earth Day celebration in April each year. This community-wide event is designed to mobilize everyone to create change by taking small steps in our homes, our schools and our businesses that together help to create a resilient and sustainable community.

To learn more about Green Sanctuary activities at First Parish in Wayland, or to get involved, contact Molly Faulkner or Janet Hadingham.