Learn more about First Unitarian's Social Justice Council
What does your committee focus on?
The Social Justice Council supports our congregants and congregation in living our values and engaging in social justice work. We call on the congregation to engage in social justice work, encourage congregants to come together in intentional projects, and then support these activities with funding and guidance. I see the Council as the "glue & grease" of First Unitarian's social justice work. I was drawn to this Council because of our incredibly rich history – both far back and recent – in pushing into the uncomfortable to live our values. I was incredibly proud of us for raising nearly $250,000 for reparations and doing so in a respectful and collaborative manner. We have also raised nearly $400,000 through Giving in Action since we started the initiative. I joined the Council in 2023 because I felt it was a good time to share my skills in facilitation and project management to think through and implement the next stage of our work. Little did I know what was coming–another Trump presidency. Now, our focus has intentionally shifted to dealing with immediate needs and crises.
What’s one thing you're proud your committee has done recently?
Over the past year, we have been undergoing a period of reinvention for the Council, regaining our momentum. I am proud that we have hit the ground running this church year and recently took a half-day to work on our strategy for the year, thinking through how best to accomplish our mission and vision.
Our goal is to weave social justice into all we do at First Unitarian. Beyond our sponsored projects, opportunities exist for creating other initiatives, and we would love to explore your ideas with you!