Social Justice Council

Mission Statement:

The mission of the Social Justice Council is to support, encourage and empower the congregation and committee leaders to carry out the social justice mission of the church with a passion. This social justice mission includes education, advocacy and community service that reflects our UU principles and promotes social justice in our community and our world. The Council will promote active, sustained and direct collaboration and participation.

Our goals and plans, based on the mission, are as follows:

• Identify recruit and train potential leaders
  Plan:
  • Skills workshops
• Educate the congregation about Social Justice
  Plan:
  • Movie night
  • Social Justice Sunday worship service, service fair
  • Trifold brochure, information booth
• Active participation in projects
  Plan:
  • Social Action Day
  • Volunteer board, newsletter articles
  • Church wide projects
  • Seasonal projects
  • Youth involvement
• Publicity and Web presence
• Study budgetary needs and organize budget.

The Social Justice Council is currently made up of 5 committees. These are as follows:

• Community Service Committee: The mission of the CSC is to identify several major needs each year in our local and world communities for which the congregation and other sources provide services and funds.
• Green Sanctuary Committee: This committee helps maintain compliance with the 7th UU Principle for the church and participates in outside activities that are consistent with this principle.
• Interfaith Mental Health Action Team: The purposes of the team are to: 1) educate and advocate for persons and families affected by brain disorders but lacking community understanding, caring, resources and services; 2) support the Mental Health support group; 3) develop a stigma-free place for persons with mental illnesses to volunteer, rebuild their lives and re-enter society with good jobs.
• One Voice: Straight and Gay Together Committee: The committee has a three-fold mission to assist our church in “Living Our Welcoming Congregation.” They are: education about gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) people and their special issues; advocacy for GLBT rights in the world; and outreach to the GLBT community.
• Peacemaking Committee: The purpose of this committee is to actively promote and encourage a peaceful existence for all people; to actively oppose war and violence; to encourage nonviolence and alternative resources to war; to raise awareness of the possibilities for a peaceful coexistence.