Green Space
"Unity is an urban green space." We are blessed with beautiful gardens and lawn space on our corner of Magnolia and Balmoral.
Concern for global warming gave birth to the Green Team in 2007. Wishing to do our part to live greener we took some steps that were achievable. We sent back our plastic communion cups and use our washable glass cups. We recycle and use fair trade coffee every Sunday after worship. On Palm/Passion Sunday we use eco-friendly palms in our procession. The candles we burn are beeswax instead of paraffin or stearic acid made candles. We use the online guide, Web of Creation. Below are ways you can help make our community and environment a better place to live.
Concern for global warming gave birth to the Green Team in 2007. Wishing to do our part to live greener we took some steps that were achievable. We sent back our plastic communion cups and use our washable glass cups. We recycle and use fair trade coffee every Sunday after worship. On Palm/Passion Sunday we use eco-friendly palms in our procession. The candles we burn are beeswax instead of paraffin or stearic acid made candles. We use the online guide, Web of Creation. Below are ways you can help make our community and environment a better place to live.
Unity receives
ComEd Congregational Challenge award
"In Recognition of Outstanding Energy Conservation Efforts"
The Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield, Director of "Faith in Place" and the "Illinois Interfaith Power and Light Campaign," remarked that "Unity Lutheran is taking up 100% of the recommendations by ComEd who puts you out in front of the pack." Faith in Place administered the ComEd Small Business Engergy Savings program for faith communities.
Unity employed the Chicagoland eco-green company, "Energy Reduction, Inc." who retrofit our 20 exit lights with LED's, and retrofitted all the flourescent lighting in our fellowship and kitchen with T-8 fixtures. The new bulbs use half as much energy and project will pay for itself in about a year and a half. Unity also received a 50-50 matching grant from ComEd.
ComEd Congregational Challenge award
"In Recognition of Outstanding Energy Conservation Efforts"
The Rev. Dr. Clare Butterfield, Director of "Faith in Place" and the "Illinois Interfaith Power and Light Campaign," remarked that "Unity Lutheran is taking up 100% of the recommendations by ComEd who puts you out in front of the pack." Faith in Place administered the ComEd Small Business Engergy Savings program for faith communities.
Unity employed the Chicagoland eco-green company, "Energy Reduction, Inc." who retrofit our 20 exit lights with LED's, and retrofitted all the flourescent lighting in our fellowship and kitchen with T-8 fixtures. The new bulbs use half as much energy and project will pay for itself in about a year and a half. Unity also received a 50-50 matching grant from ComEd.
Recycling
We do our part to honor God's creations. Currently, we recycle paper, plastic bottles, glass, through the city blue bin program. We also recycle items not allowed in the blue bins including, unused medications, entact CFL bulbs and household batteries. If you are unable to recycle at your home or office, you can drop-off your recycling at the church.
Fair Trade Coffee
The Lutheran World Relief Fair Trade Coffee Project ensures that more of the money you spend on coffee reaches the farmers who actually grow it. Fair trade coffee is a simple solution that means the difference—quite literally—between surviving and not surviving for small-scale coffee farmers. We use only Equal Exchange fair trade coffee at all Unity events. Every first Sunday of the month Equal Exchange coffee is for sale in 10-12 oz. packages for $7-$8, a 20% discount over retail prices. more information
Bike For Real
Unity has participated in the Eco-Andersonville's Green Week since its inception, this being the third year running now! In 2011, our Bike For Real, signed up bikers during the July 11-17 Green Week as a carbon free transportation alternative. Others made donations to these bikers, raising over $400 for our Edgewater food and clothing pantry, Care For Real. Pictured here is neighborhood mechanic "Igor Does My Bike" who gave free bike check-ups during Sunday Coffee Hour. Contact Igor for a tune-up today. Our thanks also to Robert at Andersonville Bikes and Fitness, 5517 N Clark St. who donated five $20 Gift Certificates to our bikers!
