In this feature we seek out answers to questions of broad interest, drawing on experts in congregations, the UUA, and elsewhere. If you would like to submit a question, please write to InterConnections at 25 Beacon Street, Boston, MA, 02108, or e-mail dskinner@uua.org.

Q Our Denominational Connections committee could use some help in getting organized. Are there resources available?

A The InterConnections Re-sources for Lay Leaders Web site now has a section just for Denominational Connections committees. Go to www.uua.org/programs/layleader. Click on Leadership Quickstart and ask for information about Denominational Connections. The information includes helpful books and Web sites, sample committee job descriptions, and denominational dates and deadlines.

Q We’ve been thinking about a ride-sharing program for our church, but don’t know where to start. We’d like to know how to recruit drivers and what kind of problems and liability issues there might be.

A Mark Evanoff, a member of the Mt. Diablo UU Church in Walnut Creek, Calif., has a Web site, www.alternetrides.com, de-voted to helping people find other people to share rides with. The article is at www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/transportation/10405064.htm?1c. InterConnections would also like to know of any churches with ride-sharing programs.

Q What’s happening with the Green Sanctuary Program?

A Twenty congregations have completed the certification process as Green Sanctuaries and many more are partway through the process. A Green Sanctuary is a congregation that creates a sustainable lifestyle for its members as individuals and as a faith community. The multi-year program includes twelve activities in four program areas: Worship and Celebration, Religious Education, Environmental Justice, and Sustainable Living. One project must be a major on-going activity in collaboration with another congregation or organization to address an issue of environmental justice in your community or in the world. The selection at the June 2004 General Assembly of global warming as the UU topic for study and action for the next two years provides another reason for congregations to become “green.” Find out more at www.uuaspp.org, including a list of congregations which have completed the program. (See the Forum essay “Greening Liberal Religious Communities,” in the March/April 205 issue of UU World magazine.)

Q Our social justice program could use some help. We’ve got some good ideas but aren’t sure how to implement them or how to get the congregation to back them.

A Consider holding a UUA-facilitated Social Justice Empowerment Workshop. The workshop permits members of a congregation to assess the quality of its social justice program and reflect on what they can do as a religious community to put their faith into practice. It can begin Friday evening or can be a Saturday only event. It is led by two social justice facilitators. The workshop’s cost is based on your congregation’s size. The workshop will help the congregation determine which social justice projects to select and how to increase the number of people involved in the social justice program. Find more information at www.uua.org/programs/justice/ep/index.html or by contacting Susan Leslie, director, Office of Congregational Advocacy and Witness, sleslie@uua.org.