First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh
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Green Sanctuary

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We covenant to affirm and promote … Respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part.
Our name comes directly from the Green Sanctuary accreditation program of the Unitarian Universalist Association. In keeping with the UUA program, our focus is to help integrate the seventh principle into our daily congregational life, specifically into celebration, education, sustainability, and environmental justice.
To be certified as a Green Sanctuary congregation, we complete the projects outlined in our application that was submitted and approved in February 2014. This process usually takes several years.
The Green Sanctuary Committee was chartered by Ray and Mary Schinhofen in 2007 and has been through many changes since, including our designation as a Team. Approximately 100 congregants and friends have rotated through our team, all working as volunteers.

Covenant Group Guides for Sustainable Living

As one of our certification projects, discussion guides regarding sustainable living practices were created and approved to help facilitate introspection, discussion, and action. Learn more about our guides.
  1. Sustainable Living - Introduction
  2. Sustainable Living - What Is Your Carbon Footprint?
  3. Sustainable Living - Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
  4. Sustainable Living - Pittsburgh Resources

Green Sanctuary Program

The Green Sanctuary program is a collective effort, not just a personal project for a few of the most committed environmentalists in a congregation. It is about all of us, according to our talents and capacities, coming together to create the Earth Community we have envisioned. The program encourages individual actions that reduce our impact on this planet, but primarily it is a program of congregational action. It is about working together to strengthen our ability to create change.
The Green Sanctuary program encompasses the whole of spectrum of congregational life - worship, religious education, facilities management, social gatherings, justice programming, and more. Each of these areas expands to incorporate increased environmental awareness. Everyone in the congregation is encouraged to participate in activities that will make a difference locally and globally. From meditation to political action to celebration, the whole life of the congregation will increasingly consider the environment much more intentionally." ~ 2009 Green Sanctuary Program Manual

Community Connections

Several of our members are active in the local community environmental efforts and groups.
  • Kirsi Jansa presents her film series Sustainability Pioneers around the community. Look for screenings at Pittsburgh Filmmakers venues, our church, and Gemini Theatre (East End Food Coop) among other locations. See her previous film series Gas Rush Stories.
  • Bob Mitchell is one of the co-founders of the Pittsburgh 350 and is a strong supporter of Citizens' Climate Lobby. He has written and presented on the climate crisis here at the Forum, in an Adult Faith Development course, and in the RE program. He has also presented at Summer Institute 2014, in several Greater Pittsburgh cluster of Unitarian Universalist Churches, and at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.
  • Ray Roberts is one of the co-founders of the Pittsburgh 350 and is currently the Pittsburgh chapter contact for Citizens' Climate Lobby. He is an active advocate for many issues, including healthcare.
  • Becky Studer started and coordinates our participation in the Urban EcoStewards project, a program of the Nine Mile Run Watershed Association.
  • Barbara Litt is a Climate Reality Leader with Climate Reality: Pittsburgh & SWPA Chapter, and a co-founding member of the Pittsburgh chapter of Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light.

Contact Us

Our current team members are Robert Baron, Hannah Bowie, Mary Alice Drusbasky, Margaret Fuhrman, Jennifer Gilley, Kirsi Jansa, Charley Kakel, Eileen Kraus-Dobratz, Barbara Litt (co-chair), Chris Milcarek, Bob Mitchell, Brian Ramsey, Ray Roberts, Peg Schmidt (co-chair), Becky Studer.
You can email the team at greensanctuarypgh@gmail.com.
Come, open to be moved. Come, be held in mutual embrace. Come, engage the world.
Come and be made whole.

First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

605 Morewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
(412) 621-8008     Map and directions

Worship Services

10:30 AM
Sunday

Office Hours

9:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Tuesday - Friday

Stay Connected

Sign up for our Weekly News Email

  • Visit Us
    • Visiting for the first time?
    • Sunday Experience
    • Our Principles and Mission
    • Directions
    • Parking
    • Accessibility
  • Worship & Celebrations
    • Upcoming Worship Celebrations
    • About Unitarian Universalism
    • Our Minister
    • Sermons
    • Weddings
    • Memorials
    • Child Dedication
    • Our Unitarian Universalist Community
  • Religious Education
    • Children & Youth >
      • PreK/K - 9th Grade
      • Junior & Senior High Youth >
        • Coming of Age
        • Our Whole Lives
        • Regional Youth Conferences
      • Summer Program
      • Program Calendar
      • Family Ministry
      • Volunteering >
        • Volunteers' Corner
      • Endowment for Ministry with Children and Youth
      • News & Events
      • Forms and Program Guides
    • Adults & Young Adults >
      • Faith, Spirituality, and Religious Identity
      • Leadership & Congregational Life
      • Young Adult & Campus Ministry >
        • Endowment for Campus Ministry
      • Sunday Morning FORUM
    • Libraries
    • Bookstore
    • Safety Policy
  • Social Justice
    • Khasi Hills Partnership
    • East End Cooperative Ministry
    • Alternative Gift Market
    • Justice in the Middle East
    • Green Sanctuary
    • Our Partners
  • News & Events
    • Church Events
    • Ongoing Activities
    • Church News and Announcements
    • Publicize Your Event
  • Ministry
    • Ministry Teams
    • Transition Team
    • Social Action
    • Music and the Arts >
      • Music and the Arts Calendar
    • Caring Community
    • Sunday Worship
    • Covenant Groups
    • Building and Grounds
  • Giving
    • Make a Pledge
    • Make a Donation
    • Buy Giant Eagle Gift Cards
    • Planned Giving
  • About Us
    • Our History
    • Our Heritage
    • Our Staff
    • Rentals & Reservations
    • Governance & Operations >
      • Board of Trustees
      • Board Meetings
      • Congregational Meetings
      • Governance & Policy Documents
    • Contact Us
    • Online Directory
  • Search