PEGGY'S GARDEN Since the death of Peggy Tripp this last September, I have been thinking that a fitting tribute would be to make a garden at her beloved LUF, following the green principles she embraced. I envision an expansion of the garden at the front, with perennials and mulch that will eliminate much of the need for mowing, and also conserve water. Some of you may know that back in my years as DRE, I took on the care of the garden since the children had historically planted the annuals each spring. I was now living in an apartment, and missed gardening, and it seemed a logical fit. Except that I knew very little about flowers! Each year, Peggy would help me out with perennials she was culling from her garden, a generous sampling of annuals she had started in her basement under lights, as well as some advice on what might grow well in our shady front garden, and our hot and sunny back strip. I have kept on caring for the garden over the past years with the help of various volunteers. But now, besides missing a dear friend, I am missing our garden’s Fairy Godmother! I approached some members of the Master Gardeners with this idea. Peggy was well respected and loved, and their response was very positive. Because much of LUF volunteer energy will be directed towards making the CUC ACM a great success this spring, I know that the design of such a garden will need to be postponed until the fall. However, I would like to “plant” the idea, and request that our gardeners think about the possibilities as they are pouring over seed catalogues. Please consider contributing any perennials you cull this spring; we will plant them, and nurture them so that by the fall we already will have some basic plants to base our expansion on. And please consider joining the project! Rosemary Burris, 343-9241. UPDATING THE CUC 1999 ENVIRONMENT RESOLUTION The CUC Environmental Principles were first adopted at the Canadian Unitarian Council Annual Meeting on May 23, 1999. It's been 10 years since adoption of these Environmental Principles and since then the CUC has endorsed the Earth Charter, submitted letters to our Federal Government leaders requesting action on meeting our Kyoto Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission targets and issued a statement regarding genetic engineering of food. Many congregations across Canada have incorporated environmental education into their religious education curriculum, formed environmental justice committees and several congregations have received or are working toward Green Sanctuary Accreditation through the UU Ministry for Earth. This is still just a start. At the CUC Annual Meeting in May 2008, a resolution was passed that the CUC Environmental Principles should be revisited and revised to address the continuing pressures on our environment. These pressures continue to have devastating effects not only on our natural world but also cultures and communities most unable to protect themselves from the effects to our environment brought on by consumerism and subsequent high energy demands. Since May 2008, the Environmental Monitoring Committee has reviewed the original Environmental Principles. We feel they still reflect the concern UU's have for the environment. We also feel they still lend guidance for our daily lives. What mattered to us was that our statement reflects the concerns and language of today to ensure that the diversity of beliefs and attitudes that enrich our Unitarian Universalism was expressed. With this in mind, we made minor changes and· have submitted the following revised version for feedback and comments. An updated version as detailed below is proposed for adoption. (19 Jan 09 Version) CUC STATEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY Canadian Unitarian Universalists recognize that the ecological support systems upon which all life depends are threatened. A growing world population and the failure of our institutions to manage economic growth have created an environmental crisis. This is a profoundly moral issue; as a religious community, it is incumbent upon us to foster the ethics and values that will ensure the continued existence of a world as beautiful and productive as that which we know as our home. Therefore: We affirm the ethics implicit in the document Environmental Principles and Values of Canadian Unitarian Universalists. We mandate our denomination at the national, regional and congregational levels to provide leadership through collective and individual actions, and to be a strong voice and presence in confronting environmental issues. Adopted by the Canadian Unitarian Council Annual Meeting, May XX, 2009 ENVIRONMENTAL PRINCIPLES AND VALUES OF CANADIAN UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS Interdependence: As Unitarian Universalists, we covenant to affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The values of individual responsibility, personal growth, democracy, and social justice that we also affirm are essential elements in the development of a sustainable relationship with nature. Inherent worth: We acknowledge that we are but one species of many on earth; each has its own value that cannot be measured by its service to humankind. Viewing the earth merely as a resource for the satisfaction of human needs and desires has been destructive and imperilled our future. Sustainability: Ensuring sustainability of the earth and all life upon it is our first responsibility to future generations and to all the species with which we share the planet. In a sustainable world, healthy human societies will live in harmony with the natural environment. Religious Commitment: Since the environmental crisis is a result of human alienation from nature, we seek guidance from spiritual and/or humanist teachings, from which we draw inspiration to re-establish relationship with the earth. Ethical Action: We must adopt practices not only appropriate to our time and place but also that address needs of the future. We must embrace a view that sees ourselves not as master of the land, but rather as an integral part of the earth's ecosystem where all life forms are both independent and yet dependent on one another. Biodiversity: The health and quality of life on earth depends upon the preservation and restoration of biodiversity. Species are disappearing from the earth at a cataclysmic rate, weakening some ecosystems and causing the collapse of others. By fragmenting Earth's landscapes, we are creating conditions for even greater losses. Precautionary principle: We can never be certain of the impact of our actions on nature; where knowledge is incomplete and irreversible harm is possible, we must err on the side of caution. Every decision is a choice about the future; application of the precautionary principle will reduce the possibility of undesirable consequence. Natural Capital: The ecological support systems of planet earth are finite, imposing limits on the growth of populations and economies. Since the economy is totally dependent upon the environment, it cannot be allowed to undermine the integrity of ecological processes. A sustainable economy must limit consumption to the "interest" produced by the natural capital upon which it depends. Adopted by the Canadian Unitarian Council Annual Meeting, May XX, 2009

What Is A Simplicity Study Group? Few people would give up the chance to have more free time, to rush less, and to forge a connection with the earth - but the path to these ends seems complicated. Society equates success with money, prestige, and the accumulation of things. Throughout the world, however, people are questioning this definition of success. They are looking for ways to save time and money, to live on less, to support nature, and to feel like they play a vital part in the universe. People are attracted to the voluntary simplicity movement because they want a new way to look at life but they don't want to do it alone. A means of finding friendship, support, inspiration, intellectual stimulation, and personal transformation - simplicity circles bring together those people who want to find the good life. A simplicity circle is a unique form of conscious learning that helps people reject excess consumerism, competitiveness, and commercialism in favour of creativity, harmony with the earth, and community. As participants discuss voluntary simplicity, they analyze their own experiences and the experiences of others. This allows them to make informed choices about what to purchase, how and where to work, how to slow down, and how to enjoy life. But participating in a simplicity circle is more than a learning experience and the discussions often go beyond the primary topic of rejecting the consumer culture. Simplicity circles are a form of gratification wherein you are recognized and accepted for your heart and your soul, rather than the image of success put forth by society. Anyone interested in re-vitalizing or creating a Simplicity Study Group is asked to contact the Board.