Social Justice
Our mission statement asserts that we covenant "To engage in active efforts in behalf of justice, love and truth." We have a long social justice history and tradition of social justice work and today it is one of the primary reasons that new people are joining us. Social justice action permeates all church programming - worship, religious education, fellowship, and special groups like the Women's Alliance and the choir. In addition social justice task forces are formed to work for specific social justice initiatives. Our congregation gives 25% of its Sunday Plate donations (33KB PDF) to a local project or service agency to assist in the community. Stepping Stones is the recipient through July 2007.
A Social Justice Empowerment Workshop facilitated by the UUA was held in the fall or 2005. One of the primary outcomes was a new way of Organizing for Social Justice (143KB PDF) in our congregation. This change was adopted by members of the congregation In the spring of 2006.
- Social Justice Task Forces are formed when a number of people wish to work together around a specific social justice area.
- The Social Justice Coordinating Circle is composed of representatives of task forces and church groups who are active in social justice work. Together they communicate and coordinate their work. They also sponsor some church wide activities like a booth at the Holiday Art and Bazaar, Social Justice Fairs and Social Justice Sing-Alongs. Martha Nord is the chair person for this year.
- The Social Justice Steering Committee exists to promote and support those in our church who wish to be active in furthering social justice. The initiatives for church-sponsored social justice come from the congregation. The SJ Steering Committee's main role is to assist and to coordinate. There are many resources to support Social Justice Work. Jackie Hall, Martha Nord is the chair person for this year.
- Money was collected in 1998 when the church had a fund drive to build the new part of the church as you know it now. .3% of those monies were set aside for social justice projects for church members. We will be taking applications for those monies soon.
- Common Ground is the newsletter of the Social Justice Coordinating Council, distributed monthly with The Prologue. Back issues are available online in PDF format.
