Category / Social Justice

by adminuucm

Churches, Politics and the Electoral Cycle

This coming election year is a big one, and UUs across the country are being encouraged to boldly engage our values in the electoral cycle. But it can be confusing to know what is appropriate for non-profit organizations with 501(c)3 status, including churches and other faith communities.

The short answer is there’s a lot we can do as long as we are not partisan.

This means we can engage in issue-based advocacy, promote local ballot measures, and perform voter education and mobilization, as long as this work is not done for a specific political party, as an endorsement of a specific candidate, or to impact whether or not a particular candidate wins an election.

Because the UUA knows many of us have questions or concerns, they will be updating and providing clear guidance to the most frequently asked questions later this month (which we’ll share here on UUCM Happenings). In the meantime, the UUA publication The Real Rules is a terrific go-to source, as are the summaries provided by Bolder Advocacy.

If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Terri.

by adminuucm

Social Generosity Offering: January 2020

Our JANUARY Social Generosity Offering will go to the Minneapolis Foundation, and specifically their efforts to support survivors of the recent Drake Hotel fire. The Foundation’s goal is to immediately support urgent needs – such as safe temporary shelter, food, and emergency supplies – while also developing strategies to help families find affordable and stable long-term housing. So far, the Minneapolis Foundation has distributed $133,000 from the Minnesota Helps – Drake Hotel Fire Recovery Fund. Visit minneapolisfoundation.org to learn more and check out this article in the Star Tribune.

Additional resource: Minnesota Helps Fund Continues to Distribute Resources to Support Survivors of the Drake Hotel Fire

Note: All cash placed in the Sunday collection, as well as checks to “UUCM” with “Social Generosity” in the memo line, will go towards the Social Generosity cause for the current month. NEW: Donate by PayPal or credit card at bit.ly/uucmsocialgen. You may also use the basket to make other contributions to UUCM. Simply make your check out to “UUCM” with instructions in the memo line.

by adminuucm

Social Generosity Offering: December 2019

Our DECEMBER Social Generosity Offering will go to Guest At Your Table (GAYT), the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s (UUSC’s) annual intergenerational program to raise support for and awareness about key human rights issues. This year, the theme is Women Leaders, Strong Communities. UUSC is proud to partner with women leaders who are increasing representation for women in their communities, while strengthening access to justice for all.

UUSC is sharing stories of hope, highlighting four women leaders in human rights. Pelenise is responding boldly to climate change, Marta and Wai Wai are advocating for women in the face of hatred and violence, and Monica is using the arts to bolster resiliency and leadership among migrants. These women, and so many others UUSC has the privilege of supporting, are transforming what freedom and justice look like in their communities. Click here to learn more.

Note: All cash placed in the Sunday collection, as well as checks to “UUCM” with “Social Generosity” in the memo line, will go towards the Social Generosity cause for the current month. NEW: Donate by PayPal or credit card at bit.ly/uucmsocialgen. You may also use the basket to make other contributions to UUCM. Simply make your check out to “UUCM” with instructions in the memo line.

by adminuucm

Social Generosity Offering: November 2019

Our NOVEMBER Social Generosity Offering will go to the IOCP Sleep Out for the Homeless Campaign. For 23 years, thousands of caring kids and community members have joined this movement to sleep in boxes, tents and cars (or donate to those who do) to raise awareness and funds to prevent homelessness. The funds raised through the Sleep Out campaign help IOCP deliver individualized services – in the areas of family support, food, housing and neighborhoods, education and youth, employment, and transportation – that help nearly 2,000 local families each year stabilize, strengthen and thrive. Visit iocp.org/donations/sleep-out/ to learn more.

Note: All cash placed in the Sunday collection, as well as checks to “UUCM” with “Social Generosity” in the memo line, will go towards the Social Generosity cause for the current month. NEW: Donate by PayPal or credit card at bit.ly/uucmsocialgen. You may also use the basket to make other contributions to UUCM. Simply make your check out to “UUCM” with instructions in the memo line.

by adminuucm

Social Generosity Offering: October 2019

Our OCTOBER Social Generosity Offering will go to Sojourner Project. Sojourner’s mission is to provide emergency shelter, support, and legal advocacy services to those victimized by domestic violence and other forms of interpersonal violence. To that end, they provide services to victims of dating violence and sexual assault. Their ultimate goal encourages the change from crisis to stability and the transition from victim to survivor. In order to build safer communities, Sojourner conducts outreach activities and specifically designed presentations to heighten public awareness and engage groups and individuals in educational opportunities to prevent future victims and abusers.  All Sojourner services are confidential and free of charge.

Note: All cash placed in the Sunday collection, as well as checks to “UUCM” with “Social Generosity” in the memo line, will go towards the Social Generosity cause for the current month. NEW: Donate by PayPal or credit card at bit.ly/uucmsocialgen. You may also use the basket to make other contributions to UUCM. Simply make your check out to “UUCM” with instructions in the memo line.