Working for Justice

UUCA and Members of UUCA are involved in a wide range of social justice and social action projects. Many of these projects were initiated by individual members; others have historically part of our church's social action plan.

Because of the democratic nature of our Church, the Church as a body does not often speak out on a position. This would require a congregational vote. However, it is possible for the Church to take a position on important issues if members of the congregation are active in bringing the information to the congregants and presenting it at a congregational meeting.

The minister and the Board may speak out on issues but they are speaking for the Board. Members of individual social action causes may speak out as Unitarian Universalists. This sometimes can be confusing but the advantage is that individuals are free to speak their conscious and those issues which are critical to our time can be presented and voted on by the congregation as a whole.

The Church also serves as a resource for social justice opportunities in the community and the country. The Annapolis UU's mailing list often lists meetings, marches, and vigils on different issues.

Current Activities Listings
First Sunday Outreach Collection

The offering on the first Sunday of every month is split between the
church and a social justice project or program selected and announced
ahead of time by the Outreach Collection Committee. The recipient will
receive one-half of the Sunday collection. To contribute to the Outreach
Collection with a check, make it out to the order of UU Church of
Annapolis. If it is your wish that the check not be split, but that the
total amount goes to the outreach program, indicate this in the memo line.
To designate your contribution as your church pledge, please use a pledge
envelope or note “pledge” in the check memo line.

If you wish to apply for a First Sunday Collection for your project,
please ask for an application or further information at the church office,
or contact Diane Goforth (410-544-2244; DSGoforth@aol.com ).

Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ)
UUSJ helps UU churches in the Baltimore Washington & Northern Virginia area carry out their social and economic justice agendas by providing a networked learning community that supports collaborative efforts of UU social justice activists. Check their online calendar for events happening in the region.

Interweave
A membership organization affiliated with the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). It is dedicated to the spiritual, political, and social well-being of UUs who are confronting oppression as lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgendered persons, and their heterosexual allies. Interweave celebrates the culture and lives of its members. Activities include sponsorship of a benefit dinner for the Free State Justice Campaign, continuation of the gay and lesbian film series, participation in AIDS walks, providing a booth at Pride Day both in Washington, DC and Baltimore, and panel discussions and seminars on gay and lesbian issues. Capitol Area Interweave Chapter

UN Global Justice
The UUCA UN Social Justice Group is dedicated to helping achieve at the United Nations a democratic world community. To this end, inspired by UU principles, this group is committed to peace, freedom, and environmental responsibility as well as to social, civil, and economic justice for all. Our goal is to create an awareness of the structure, function, achievements, and the problems of the UN and the importance of making it a strong, effective actor in international life on behalf of all the world's peoples

Green Sanctuary
The mission of the UUCA Green Sanctuary program is to transform UUCA into a congregation that builds a connection between our respect for the interdependent web of all existence and our environmental consciousness and acts upon it.

Habitat for Humanity
UUCA is a Covenant Church with Habitat for Humanity International, supporting Habitat's goal to eliminate poverty housing throughout the world and make decent shelter a matter of conscience and action. The church carries out its covenant responsibilities through meditation and prayer, financial support, organizing work parties, and sponsoring the building of homes.   more info

The Lighthouse Shelter and Anchor House
The Light House is an emergency shelter for men, women, and children operated by the Annapolis Area Ministries, Inc..Fourteen beds are available for single men and women in the dormitory, and two transitional apartments for sheltering families. Self-sufficiency support services are provided by professional caseworkers. The facility is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anchor House is a transitional home program.
The church provides the evening meal for shelter residents on the 2nd Saturday of each month. Contact Carrie.

Haven
Haven is a non-profit, volunteer-based organization serving people living with HIV, and their families. HAVEN's mission is to enhance the life quality of people infected with HIV/AIDS, treating each person with respect and dignity with out regard to race, religion, ethnicity, cultural heritage, or sexual orientation. HAVEN is committed to preserving the confidentiality of all its clients. Haven Website

PFLAG (Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)
Support group meets the 3rd Sunday at the Fahs House of the Emerson Room from 2 pm to 4 pm.

Partner Church Committee
+9 The Mission of the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council is to foster and support partner church relationships between North American congregations and congregations in all other countries where partnering is sought and welcomed. Partnering and related international exchange opportunities are effective forces for expanding the awareness and appreciation of the historical roots and can be a significant force for social justice and international understanding. UUCA has developed such a relationship with the Rava Church in Romania.

Legislative Action
The mission of this group is to engage the UUCA membership in state legislative action, based upon our UU values. Last year, this committee was formed, selected an issue and then conducted an education program within the congregation on the Health Care for All Iniative during fall 2002. They then brought the Health Care for All Resolution for a vote before the Congregational Meeting in November, 2002. It passed overwhelmingly. They drafted testimony on behalf of our congregation in support of HB726/SB557. The bill spelled out a plan for providing health care for all Maryland citizens.   more info

General Assembly Resolutions
Each year, the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) General Assembly reviews and adopts resolutions which speak about the larger world and charge local congregations into discussion and action. Our church participates in this process through discussion, voting, recommendations, decisions, and action.

Welcoming Congregation
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis is a Welcoming Congregation, which means we are inclusive and expressive of the concerns of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender (b/g/l/t) persons at every level of congregational life. Find out more.

Anti-Racism Transformation Team
Towards the end of 2007, the Anti Racism Transformation Team (A.R.T.T.) of UUCA decided it was time to transform itself. We had worked together for four years to develop a vision, mission, and strategic plan. We sponsored trainings, book groups, lectures, and film discussions. Over 200 UUCA members had participated in these events. However, we sensed it was time to change. We did not want to be viewed as the group at UUCA who “owned” the issue or who were the “experts.” We wanted to more fully and widely invite others to participate in this conversation.   more info

Restorative Justice
The UUCA has a commitment to social justice in our society. It is in response to this call for social responsibility in our own community that we are engaged in three areas of outreach to help heal societal injustice. The Restorative Justice Team is involved in multiple activities to implement this commitment.   more info