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Dear Earth Community,

It has been quite a year! While the news about the health of our planet is extremely alarming, there seems to be a shift in consciousness worth celebrating. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Al Gore and the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2007 was a record year for renewable energy in the U.S with almost 6,000 megawatts of new renewable energy coming on line. Paul Hawken's book, Blessed Unrest, gave activists all over the planet a new sense of hope and connection by acquainting us with the enormity of the number of individuals and groups across the globe who are quietly and persistently creating change, building the structures and mindsets that can sustain life and justice on Earth. In our UU world, we are participating in this change - nearly 600 Green Sanctuary Manuals were sold in 2007!

So, let's celebrate by honoring those in our congregations who have come to a personal crossroads and made the decision to act on behalf of life on Earth. Maybe they have asked, like No Impact Man, Colin Beavan, "What, exactly, comprises sufficient individual effort that, if taken by each of us, would save the planet?" Maybe their despair for some lost place or creature in the natural world around them has made them say, "I am either part of the solution or part of the problem." Maybe they have held a new child in their arms and heard the future calling. Whatever the motivation, they have decided to act, to become a guardian of our collective future on Earth. We invite you to honor an "eco-hero" in your congregation, and to nominate your hero for the first annual UU Ministry for Earth Guardians of the Future Award.

Earth Day is a day to celebrate UU Ministry for Earth, too!

Involve your congregation in Earth Ministry. Ask them to support us by taking our Membership Challenge, and maybe you will win a special workshop for your congregation. And what better day to support our work by taking a special collection or shared plate offering? These congregational gifts are a significant source of support for our work.

The enclosed Celebration resource package gives you all you need to get started. As you celebrate Earth Day 2008, rejoice in the knowledge that you do so in spiritual community committed to the interdependent web of all existence.

In Faith,

Claudia Kern for the Board of Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth

Earth Day Sunday 2008 Celebration Resources

1. Cover for your Earth Day Sunday Order of Service <pdf>
2. Certificate to present to your congregational honoree <pdf>
3. Nomination form for UU Ministry for Earth "Guardians of the Future Award" <pdf> <doc>
4. Three beautiful posters to print and display for your information table
   • Gift Membership Poster, 8.5x11 <pdf>
   • Membership Poster, 8.5x11 <pdf>
   • Meditation on This Good Earth, 8.5x11 <pdf>
5. UUMFE membership form and brochure <pdf>
6. Complete information on the UUMFE Membership Challenge and prize from Gaia Workshops <pdf> <doc>

UU Ministry for Earth will be happy to assist you in any way possible. Please contact: office@uuministryforearth.org or call 503-595-9392 if we can help.