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Minnesota Valley Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship
A liberal religious congregation in the Minneapolis area If the Menu on the Left Hasn't Appeared |
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| SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWS 2009-2010 Social Justice Focus Local Food Support, Local Housing Support, Support for Vulnerable Children, and Peacemaking. Home | Calendar Updated July 20 2010 |
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MVUUF Social Justice Library 
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| General Assembly Congregational
Study/Action Issue(CSAI) Delegates to this summer’s Unitarian Universalist General Assembly(GA) chose “Immigration as a Moral Issue” to be the next denominational Congregational Study/Action Issue(. In a related matter, delegates to GA also endorsed an Action of Immediate Witness calling for immigration reform at the state and federal level. The new CSAI means that our congregation can now choose to study and act on various aspects of U.S. immigration over the four-year duration of the CSAI with support in ideas and materials from the Unitarian Universalist Association(UUA). At the end of the four years, the UUA Commission on Social Witness, with input from all participating UU congregations, will draft a Statement of Conscience to reflect the stand of our denomination on the issue of immigration. Our Social Justice Committee will be brainstorming for meaningful ways for MVUUF folks of all ages to engage with this topic. If you have possible speakers, study materials, or actions to recommend, or if you have specific questions about immigration you hope this process will answer, please contact Barb Gilliand. Top of Page |
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The mission of the Social Justice Committee at MVUUF is to create: • an awareness of social justice issues with different forms of education, • a partnership with other MVUUF committees that want to incorporate social justice elements into their programs/activities, • a culture of activism by developing social justice opportunities for the congregation as well as facilitating monetary donations that will help make the world a better place. CORE VALUES: We’re motivated in part by the UU principles, especially those most directly related to social justice: the inherent worth and dignity of every person; justice, equity and compassion in human relations; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; respect for the interdependent web of all existence. CURRENT FOCUSES: For the 2009-2010 Fellowship year, the Social Justice Committee will encourage the congregation to focus its social justice energies on:
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One of the ways our congregation makes an impact on social justice issues in the community is through our Second Sunday Sharing Collections. On the second Sunday of each month, all donations in the offering basket not specifically designated as pledge payments go to the charity or community cause of the month. Members of the Social Justice Committee choose each year’s recipients with input from the rest of the congregation. Last year, our Second Sunday Sharing donations totaled $5281. Second Sunday Sharing recipients for 2010-2011: TBD Top of Page |
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There were 7 workers from MVUUF who worked on the Habitat home in North Minneapolis. Thanks you to everyone and the women who brought lunches for two of the days, Karen Wolf, one day and Donna Kopnick and Stevie Myers another day. . Thanks to Leslie and Lee Swenson, David Breeden, Karen Schaub, Dave Rosewall and Fran Bohlke for their time in working on the build. Once again, for me, the best part was meeting the Ethiopian woman who's house was waiting for her to put in the work hours she needed before she could move in. When we talked about religious wars, she said " I don't like to talk about religion, it shouldn't make any difference what you believe in because we are all the same." This will probably be the last year Unitarian Universalists will work collectively on Habitat builds. It is getting harder to recruit and raise the money necessary to participate. Since before 2000, we have worked as a collective group of UU's, and I personally am sad it has come to and end. I do hope you will find other ways to work for Habitat or affordable housing. Having a secure, safe and nice place to live is important for the health and growth of children and families and everyone. Top of Page |
( Habitat for Humanity) |
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To sign up, contact Shari, the volunteer coordinator, at 952-888-9619, X104. Attend a one-hour orientation. You'll receive regular emails listing volunteer opportunities. Most require a three to four hour commitment. Assignments involve 10 to 15 minutes of on-the-job training, and you're ready to work. If you can't devote time to the food shelf this summer, please consider donating food or writing a check. Many low-income families rely on the food shelf to replace the free or reduced-price lunches their children have during the school year. Donations can be dropped off at the VEAP warehouse, 9728 Irving Ave., S., Bloomington, 55431. Please tell the volunteer who receives your donation that you're a member of MVUUF. Top of Page |
(Volunteers Enlisted to Assist People) |
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Even if you leave Minnesota for a winter break, Homework Connection can use your help while you’re here. For more information, see Homework Connection Plus. To get volunteer forms, see Volunteer, E-12 Programs Info. Or contact Sue Martell, the volunteer coordinator for Homework Connection, at smartell@bloomington.k12.mn.us or 952-806-8787. Please inform Barb Gilliand, the Social Justice Chair, at barbgilliand@comcast.net if you decide to volunteer. |
Homework Connection Plus Volunteer, E-12 Programs Info |
