Living our beliefs is an important goal for Unitarian Universalists. We engage in social justice projects together aimed at making the world a better place. Our social justice programs are rooted in our Seven Principles.
Members of our congregation are involved with social justice on statewide, national, and international levels through the Michigan UU Social Justice Network (statewide advocacy), Standing on the Side of Love campaign (interfaith movement), and the UU Service Committee (international aid and service).
Current programs and projects at UUCGL include:
Immigration: Congregational Study/Action Issue chosen by delegates to the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in Minneapolis, June 2010
Journey Toward Wholeness: Working on racism and oppression
Special Plate Collections: Accepting donations for causes outside our church on selected Sundays
Mindful Eating: Exploring our relationship to food, the people who grow it, and its environmental impacts
In response to the designation of Immigration as a Study Issue by the 2010 Unitarian Universalist General Assembly, members and friends of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lansing have joined together with members of eight other local congregations to form an interdenominational coalition to address issues of immigration in Michigan. The organization is designed to augment existing programs, and as such it is directing volunteers to local organizations already providing services to immigrants in our community. As we grow in our knowledge of local immigration issues, we may jointly develop a solution to areas that are not already addressed. However, at this time we are working within the program areas that are offered by other nonprofit organizations to provide help where it is needed. We also support the objectives of the Alliance for Immigrants Rights – Michigan (AIR), headquartered in Detroit.
See our worship services calendar for dates and details of upcoming Special Plate Collections.
This committee meets three or four times a year and raised over $8000 in 2010. Joining us as a committee member is an easy way to provide a valuable service to the church and the wider community. Please contact Renee Swanson if you would like more information or to attend the next meeting.
Thanks from EVE: Susan Shoultz, Executive Director, and Nancy A. Bates, Community Development Director of End Violent Encounters (EVE) write, “Dear Unitarian Universalist Church, Your support helps to ‘Lift a Life’ one person, one child at a time. The eight families that have stayed with EVE during this difficult time are able to celebrate this season of blessings because of you. Your donation of $1,508.88 works towards breaking this cycle. On behalf of the women and children of EVE, thank you for your generous donation.”
Along with our December Special Plate Collection to EVE acknowledged above, UUCGL members and friends donated Christmas gifts and personal items to EVE through our Giving Tree.
Next Meeting: Did you know that our congregation contributed over $8,000 in 2010 and 2011 for local and international organizations through Special Plate Collections? The Special Plate Committee is a branch of the Social Action Committee. We meet about four times a year to select organizations and plan for collections. This committee does extremely important work and requires very little of participants. Please come check us out at our next meeting on Wednesday, February 22 at 6:00 p.m. We will be selecting organizations for late spring and summer collections. Please feel free to contact Renee Swanson if you have any suggestions.
We hope you will let us know what projects you are interested in and that you will help us in implementing them. Membership is always open. See our Events page for upcoming potlucks.
