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First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist
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Green Sanctuary

First Parish is working towards certification as a “Green Sanctuary,”
a recognition given by the Unitarian Universalist Association to churches which have demonstrated a deep and ongoing commitment to caring for the Earth. The process involves all aspects of congregational life – worship, religious education, social action, and sustainable lifestyles. Click here for more information about the Green Sanctuary program.

In April 2010, First Parish received the EPA's Energy Star rating for our newly refurbished and rebuilt building. First Parish is the first house of worship in Massachusetts to receive the Energy Star, and only the sixth nationwide. To learn more about our energy efficient and environmentally friendly facilities, visit the Our Green Building page.

This past year, First Parish has had a wide variety of programming organized around the goal of becoming a greener people. Read more about these events at the Green Sanctuary Archive. Check back soon as plans for 2010-11 are taking shape now!

Green Sanctuary Environmental Justice
Sharing the Harvest is a new Green Sanctuary project which encourages congregants to share their backyard harvest with the Needham Food Pantry or donate labor to the Needham Community Farm. The goal is to provide needy local families with fresh, healthy fruits and vegetables by working with the Needham Community Council Food Pantry. For our church community, this project affords an opportunity for people of all ages to work together on fun, educational activities with a focus on helping others. There are 3 components to Sharing the Harvest:

  • Grow-a-Row: Participants will pledge to bring a portion of their homegrown fruits and vegetables to the Needham food pantry. Eleven gardens are signed up. We welcome more!
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  • Farm team: Participants will give some hours of labor to the Needham Community Farm, which donates a substantial portion of their harvest to the Needham food pantry.
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  • Sharing and Learning: experienced vegetable gardeners will advise and share their knowledge with beginners and veterans alike.

To sign up or to get more information, contact Jeanne Gerber at conscioushealth4you@yahoo.com.

Vegetable Gardening Resources:

Coming up

Spring and summer volunteering for the Needham Community Farm, cooking forums, visits to local farms next fall, berry picking, and more!