Climate Goal Met

The EcoSolutions Team announced at the April 24th worship service that the Fellowship has surpassed our goal to reduce energy sector greenhouse gas emissions by 45% by 2030, meeting the first goal in our Climate Resolution! In 2019, our last full year before the pandemic, we were 48% under our 2016 level. This reduction is primarily a result of the installation of solar panels, but other actions included switching to LED bulbs throughout the building, installing LED lights in our parking lot, monitoring building maintenance and other energy saving decisions. We strive to purchase the latest energy saving technology available to us when we upgrade our cooling and heating equipment. And we continue to look at ways to make our building energy efficient, such as installing additional insulation and reducing leaks around windows and doors.

Our EcoSolutions Team is continually striving to educate the Fellowship and take action both at the Fellowship and in the community. To become involved and receive notices about our quarterly meetings, send your name and email address to eco@uufws.org.

Below is our entire Climate Resolution, approved by our congregation on May 23, 2021.

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Climate Resolution
Approved May 23, 2021

Protecting and preserving the earth is a key tenet of the Fellowship’s mission. To achieve this mission it is essential for us to work within the Fellowship and in collaboration with others in the broader community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

In keeping with the City of Winston Salem, Forsyth County, the Unitarian Universalist Association and the global Paris Climate Agreement, the UU Fellowship of Winston-Salem resolves to:

1. Reduce the Fellowship’s energy sector greenhouse gas emissions by 45% or greater from 2005 levels by 2030.

2. Utilize 70% clean renewable energy by 2030.

3. Achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

4. Advocate for achieving these goals individually and throughout the community.

5. Work in partnership with vulnerable or marginalized communities that disproportionately experience and confront the realities of the climate crisis.

6. Provide climate-focused educational and spiritual content during worship services, religious education and congregational life to inspire members to act in their personal lives to reduce their carbon footprint and consider the earth in their decision making.

7. Institute a process whereby the carbon footprint and/or environmental impact, if any, is factored into Board, staff and committee decision making, so that we may fulfill our mission to protect and preserve the earth and reach our sustainability goals. Establish a working group to integrate this process into the Strategic Plan along with a system of monitoring and reporting.

Tools for Setting Up Online Giving

Did you know that there are resources on the website to help you set up your monthly pledge payments?

Go the website and click the red Donate button. Then choose the first option in the drop-down, Donate Online Now:

Once you’re on the Donate Online Now tab, choose the account you need (ex.- your 2021 pledge, the Jan-June 2022 stub year pledge, or your new pledge for the July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023 period). Enter the amount you wish to set up as a recurring donation and indicate the frequency of the payment and when you’d like the payments to begin (e.g., $100, paid monthly, beginning 7/1/22). At the bottom of the screen, choose whether you wish to pay by credit/debit card or  ACH bank transfer, and once you’ve made that choice enter the information requested. Hit the blue GIVE button, and you’re all set!

Questions? Reach out to Megan at treasurer@uufws.org or Liz McEntee at administrator@uufws.org.

 

 

Phoebe Nest at the Fellowship

We have an Eastern Phoebe nest! There are 5 eggs inside. The nest is high on the wall near the back door to the Fellowship Hall. Stay tuned!

Phoebe’s are one of Janet and Josh Loew’s favorite birds, which is why their daughter is Phoebe Loew!

To participate in a weekly birding walk with Don Kautz, join him and the Aging Well: Expanding Horizons walking group on Tuesdays at 3 pm (weather permitting). Details are HERE.