The Berrien Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (BUUF) has installed a solar electric system to generate most of the electricity that the small fellowship needs to operate. The 6.2 kilowatt ground mounted system was installed by Four Elements Energy of Lawrence, MI, and is the first grid connected solar electric system to be granted a building permit in Lincoln Township.
According to BUUF Green Sanctuary Team Leader Harvey Johnson, “The system is the latest effort by BUUF to make our fellowship more sustainable. It is one of the ways we are working to become a designated Green Sanctuary. This designation is given by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to UUA churches and fellowships that incorporate stewardship for the earth into Religious Education projects, Worship and Celebration projects, Sustainable Living projects, and Environmental Justice actions. We voted at our 2015 annual meeting in June to begin the process of becoming a Green Sanctuary by investing in the solar system to generate our own electricity from the sun. We wanted to kick off our Green Sanctuary campaign with a tangible demonstration of our commitment to environmental stewardship. In 2016 we will formally begin assessing how we measure up on the four focus areas and then we will develop plans to take specific actions. We hope to complete the Green Sanctuary Program requirements and become an accredited Green Sanctuary during 2017.” As of June 30, 2015, there are 250 accredited UU Green Sanctuaries in the U.S of a total of approximately 1000 UU congregations.
BUUF invites the public to attend an Open House to see and hear about the Solar Electric system on November 1, 2015, from 12 PM – 2 PM. Refreshments will be served and a dedication celebration will take place at 1 PM. The 10:30 AM Sunday Service will feature a presentation on “Growing a Green Sanctuary” by service leader and Treasurer Harvey Johnson.
