The Social Justice and Action Committee embarked upon new projects this year and expanded those undertaken in previous years. What was most rewarding was the resonance of our work within in our own congregation as well as with the community and fellow church partners.

As we adhered to the maxim, Think Globally, Act Locally, our interest and substantial effort focused on working within the local community. Additionally, alignment with the monthly worship themes allowed for the Share the Plate donations to further service community organizations and agencies.

The ideal of this committee is readily evident in the projects undertaken. The principle of justice, equity and compassion in human relations has been the undergirding of our various activities that have included:

• Organizing for the Church’s participation in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade
• Preparing and serving food in the Strengthening Families Program
• Support of the Interfaith Hospitality Network as a support church with the host First Baptist Church
• Participation in the Spring community volunteer activities through the Congregations in Service Initiative
• Preparing soup and sandwiches every third Sunday for the Inner City Night Shelter
• In partnership with the RE program a holiday collection of toys, household items etc. for Safe Shelter
• Contributions to the RE program to help support Service Sunday activities
• Food collection for a local church community

The activities of our committee have in small yet significant ways enhanced the well-being of those we have served. This is shown through the smiles and thanks received when serving Sunday supper at the shelter or when a child participant in the Strengthening Families Program, eagerly and adamantly, volunteers to help fill drink cups at a dinner; we are affirmed that our acts matter. Our work is further validated when some of the youngest members of our congregation, through their parents’ efforts of course, join in a meal and chat with homeless children, or help serve food to parents and children alike, as they might do within their own families. 

There are many chances to be involved and to find your social justice ministry at UUCS!