HUU Social Justice Committee
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harrisonburg has a very active Social Justice Committee, which is now meeting the third (3rd) Sunday of each month at 12:00 Noon following our scheduled service. Grab a cup of coffee and come check us out. We are always looking for loving caring persons to join.
Recent Social Justice Committee activities:
In 2008 we began third-Sunday Dana offerings. The term, Dana (pronounced DAH-nuh), suggested by Ginny Holbrook-Heggie, signifies the practice of giving -- a pre-eminent teaching from the Buddha. Our collections so far have benefited the Gemeinschaft Home (a therapeutic community assisting former prisoners), First Step (the local shelter for victims of domestic violence), and the Gus Bus (an early childhood literacy program). We have also recently made contributions to People Helping People and the Boys and Girls Club. The Dana offerings for local nonprofits (focusing on each beneficiary for two months running) will continue at least through 2009.
“Feeding the Community”: Potluck Sundays Food Drive. On the first Sundays of each month, we have always fed ourselves during potlucks. Since June 2008, we have also been bringing food for people in Harrisonburg and Rockingham County who are in need. The grocery cart in the sanctuary awaits donations of non-perishables, to be given to the local food pantry, Patchwork Pantry.
In these tough economic times, demand has risen sharply at the Pantry, as at most nonprofits. The Pantry has been in operation for 17 years, and now gives approximately a ton of food away per week. This all-volunteer, interfaith organization is housed at Community Mennonite Church. Details: http://www.cmcva.org/patchwork-pantry.html.
If you miss a first Sunday, items can be left in the cart at any time. Those most needed now are beans/pork & beans, peanut butter, jelly or jam, cereal, fruit, beef stew, mac & cheese, spaghetti, and spaghetti sauce, and soup, though any non-perishable foods are welcomed. Nonfood items are also accepted (paper towels, disposable diapers, especially size 5, toilet paper, facial tissue, bar soap). Donations are taken to the Pantry after each potluck Sunday. Cash donations and checks made out to Patchwork Pantry will also be welcomed – and you may bring garden produce directly to the Pantry in summer.
Execution vigils. The Unitarian Universalist Association has officially opposed capital punishment for more than 40 years. Since Virginia resumed executions, following a court ruling, in May 2008, we have held vigils on the night of each one. Gathering on the southeast corner of the courthouse lawn in Harrisonburg beginning between 8:30 and 8:45 pm (half an hour before the 9 p.m. scheduled execution time), we mourn the violence: both the killings of murder victims and of those people who are, in turn, killed by our state government. All are invited to join us in these vigils, which have drawn representatives from other churches, received substantial local newspaper and TV coverage, and given rise to thought and dialogue. (The vigil photo pictured here accompanied a May 28, 2008 article in The Daily News-Record. See: http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=17068&CHID=2).
We still hope to also arrange for car-pools to same-day vigils at the Governor’s office and the state prison in Jarratt, where executions are performed. For details on anti-death penalty advocacy, see Virginians for Alternatives to Death Penalty, http://vadp.org/ and the website for Unitarian Universalists for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, www.uuadp.org/.
Becoming a “Welcoming Congregation.” UUA’s Welcoming Congregation Program is a volunteer program for congregations that see a need to become more inclusive towards bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people, educating themselves through a series of workshops. (See http://www.uua.org/leaders/leaderslibrary/welcomingcongregation/index.shtml.) Several years ago, our congregation essentially completed requirements, but did not finish the paperwork, to obtain official “Welcoming” status. We plan to bring this project to closure soon.
The Fair Trade sales program is a long-established activity that grew out of our committee. Fair Trade products, sold through a nonprofit organization, earn Third-World farmers a living wage. After church each Sunday, we now sell coffee, tea, baking cocoa, hot cocoa mix, and chocolate bars! We appreciate Sarah Cheverton for faithfully keeping the Fair Trade “store” open for the past several years, and Martha Sider for recently volunteering to take on the job, with assistance.
We like to get UU’s together volunteering for community projects, such as Harrisonburg’s annual downtown Blacks Run Clean Up Day (April 11, 2009). The committee has purchased an order of bright green tee shirts with our HUU logo, with the idea of members wearing them for service projects, public vigils, etc. – as well as just for fun. Contact Linda Royster to get your tee shirt while supplies last.
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) frequently partners with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to address a variety of social concerns. To join or renew your membership, see http://www.uusc.org/info/vsmember.html.