Social Action and Justice

Mission

The mission of the Social Action and Justice Committee of the UUCSV is to help create a more socially just and responsible world by providing opportunities for members and friends of the congregation to support, take action and become involved in social action and justice activities that reflect the Unitarian Universalist faith’s seven principles.

Furthermore, through this Committee’s work it is hoped that a large proportion of our congregants will participate in social action projects locally, nationally, or globally and that the UUCSV will be known in the Shenandoah Valley as a congregation that puts its social action and justice principles into action.

Activities and Projects for 2009-2010

• Food Bank: We help the Lord Fairfax Area Food Bank to collect and box contributions after food drives, assist with fundraising events, and administer hunger surveys when necessary.
• Green Matters: Ideas for going green, buying Fair Trade, saving energy, reducing, reusing and recycling are presented on the Green Matters board in the church narthex along with related literature. In the future, our church hopes to be designated as a Green Sanctuary church.
• Guest At Your Table is a yearly activity where all church members/friends are encouraged to collect money to support the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and its projects around the world.
• Habitat for Humanity: We are supporting the HFH Interfaith 2009 build in Stephens City with volunteer help, individual financial contributions and a grant from Social Action and Justice funds for house windows.
• Monthly Collections: Each month, a regional non-profit organization is chosen to receive food and goods donated by church congregants.
• Penny Collection: This is a project for our Religious Education youth (with assistance from church adults). Money raised will go to help those less fortunate in our communities, particularly children.
• Virginia Organizing Project (VOP): VOP addresses many political, social, and ethical issues important to all Virginians. SA/J maintains a list serve to inform our congregation of activities and provide information for those wishing to advocate for and bear witness to supporting these issues.
• Volunteer Farm: Throughout the growing season, members and friends volunteer time planting, weeding and harvesting vegetables at the Farm in Woodstock. All produce goes to area Food Banks to feed the hungry. This activity is open to all ages.

Do you have a great idea for the SA/J Committee? Issues/Interests Requests Forms are available on the Social Action & Justice Board in the church narthex.

Committee Members:

Co-chairs: Bonnie Kittle and Kathy Winters

We welcome anyone interested in joining the committee to contact one of the above committee members. Regular meetings are the second Sunday of the month at 9:00 am in the church library.