UUCM’s Social Justice Ministry keeps members and friends informed about upcoming social justice events and activities of interest. We encourage you to participate and help build the congregation’s capacity to educate, serve, witness, and advocate for social justice. If you have a social justice event you would like to publicize, contact John Ziegenhagen.

Volunteer Opportunity

UUCM all ages volunteer activity – Please join us at church on January 20 at 11:30 a.m. for two community service projects! Simpson Housing Services is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit providing assistance to the homeless.  Their services include emergency shelter and single adult and family supportive housing. At any given time, they provide supportive services to 100 individuals and 210 families with over 500 children. One volunteer team will make bagged lunches, which the shelter provides every day to its residents. The second team will make fleece tie blankets, which can be shared with shelter residents and others experiencing homelessness. Someone from Simpson will join us at the beginning of our time to share additional information about homelessness and about the services they provide. A light lunch will be provided. People of all ages are encouraged to attend!  If you have any questions, please contact Cheryl Holm-Hansen at 612.644-2463 or cheryl.holmhansen@gmail.com. Click HERE to sign up!

Events

Family focus – Compassionate and justice-oriented gift giving

For many, the holidays are upon us, bringing a variety of gift-giving opportunities. Many online resources are available with recommendations for gift selection, including Barefoot Mommy’s Feminist kid gift guide, A Striving Parent’s social justice holiday gift guide, and Doing Good Together’s Shop Kind (which has information about “kind vendors” along with a “big hearted” Amazon list).

Family focus – Bake cookies for the Aliveness Project

The Aliveness Project provides a variety of supports for individuals living with HIV. They are requesting homemade holiday cookies that they can deliver to their members. Any flavor is welcome – make some extras of your favorites, bag or box them by the dozen, and indicate if they contain nuts or are gluten-free. Cookies can be delivered to the Aliveness Project (3808 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis) during the following times: Saturday, December 15, 10am – 1pm; Monday, December 17, 9am -7pm; or Tuesday, December 18, 9am -7pm. If you have questions, please contact Laura Henry, Volunteer Manager, laura@aliveness.org,612.822.7946, ext. 221. Continue reading →

The Sleep Out – 67% to goal with 2 weeks left

We have just two weeks left to successfully raise the final $800,967 to complete our 2018 Sleep Out campaign! Thank you to all who have supported this movement to prevent homelessness in our community.  If you haven’t already, please consider a donation today (iocp.org/donate) to help local families and kids stabilize, strengthen and thrive.

Why support the Sleep Out?

• Last year, 1 in 5 Interfaith Outreach families experienced homelessness. Housing is foundational to family stability.
• 14% of people living in Interfaith Outreach’s eight-city service area are living in poverty. These are our neighbors.
• The Sleep Out has prevented families from experiencing homelessness 32,098 times. Find your irreplaceable role!

Your gift today will make a world of difference! Learn more at iocp.org/sleepout and donate at iocp.org/donate

More Ways to Give Back this Holiday Season

All items can be dropped off Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at Interfaith Outreach, 1605 County Road 101 N in Plymouth. Thank you!

Donate winter gear to bring families warmth

• Donate new and gently used outerwear – coats, parkas, snow pants, scarves, hats, gloves, mittens and boots – to Resale Select to help families through the coldest Minnesota months. Women’s and men’s 2XL-4XL coats especially needed. Please go through your closets, spread the word to co-workers and friends, and bring your donations to Resale Select at 1605 County Road 101 N in Plymouth.

Donate Christmas food to the food shelf

• Donate special food items to Interfaith Outreach’s food shelf to help families celebrate! Download the full list of most-needed holiday items at iocp.org/foodshelf (click “Holiday donation list” on the left).

Continue reading →