Mission Statement

Members of the Social Action Committee attempt to address several of our Unitarian Universalist principles by researching and proposing humanitarian projects in which individuals in the congregation may become involved. We advocate for issues that create greater tolerance, diversity, social justice and economic opportunity in our community and in our world.

GUEST AT YOUR TABLE:

Who:                YOU

What:               are invited to participate in Guest at Your Table

When:              November 20, 2011, through January 1, 2012

How:                Bring home a Guest at Your Table box or set up another designated container. 

Download a Stories of Hope booklet (Click here) to learn about how the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee puts our shared values into action in the United States and around the world and to connect with people throughout the world who have shared their personal struggles and are working hard for human rights in partnership with UUSC.  

Share your blessings through monetary contributions to your Guest at Your Table box or container (or contribute directly online—Click here ) to ensure that UUSC's human-rights work continues.

UUFA SOCIAL ACTION NEWS:

UUFA SAC Next Meeting:
The next meeting of the UUFA Social Action Committee (SAC) is the SECOND Sunday in January —January 8--beginning at 12:30 p. m. in one of the meeting rooms at the Fellowship. (See signs for details.) Open not to just committee members, YOU are invited to attend this meeting to see what this group is all about. Make a difference in our world, locally and globally.

Join the UUFA SAC email group:  
If you would like to know what transpires in the UUFA SAC, send an email to UUFA_Social_Action_Committee-subscribe@yahoogroups. com to join the listserv.  This listserv will let you know what transpires not only in the UUFA SAC but also in the local Athens area in terms of social action.  Everyone is encouraged to sign up!

Cause of the Month:
The special collection for the December SAC Cause of the Month on Sunday, December 4, raised $1460.33 for Athens Area Emergency Food Bank. Thanks to all who contributed.  For 2011, $10363.07 has been contributed to the causes of the month, over $750 more than in 2010!!!
 
The January 2012 SAC Cause of the Month is The Ark. On Sunday, January 8, a pulpit commentary will be given, and a special collection will be taken for this cause.  
 
IF you have any suggestions about what you would like to see as a UUFA SAC Cause of the Month, please contact Karen Solheim (ksolheim@hotmail.com).
 
ATHENS AREA EMERGENCY FOOD BANK:
 
At the end of November 2011, UUFA is in SIXTH place among twenty-five area churches in its CANtributions to the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank.  With CANtributions of 2100 items, UUFA is only 206 items out of fifth place!
 
For December, both Jane and Bruce King AND Joy and Harry Schromberg offered can matches for all items (up to 100) contributed to the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank.  Thank you, Kings and Schrombergs.If you would like to do a monetary match (for up to $100) or a canned food match (for up to $33.33), contact Karen Solheim (ksolheim@hotmail.com) if you're interested.

Projects

Founding by UUFA members of the Clarke Community Federal Credit Union over thirty years ago, and some members still involved as volunteers.

Became an official Welcoming Congregation, holding three series of workshops and making necessary changes in policies, procedures, and written materials, beginning in 1995.

Many members participated in the Garden Springs Project after exiction of low income Latino, African American, and white people from a trailer park. Volunteers spent weeks renovating one family's trailer, and helped them move to a new park. Members followed up individually on health and other needs of the family, and are still in touch with this family.

Sponsored a Poverty Simulation Workshop for members, public officials, etc.

Members founded Athens Women in Black, part of an international organization. Held weekly peace vigils from 2003 to present, sponsored forums, marches and other peace related events.

Co-sponsored "Eyes Wide Open" AFSC display of combat boots and Iraqi shoes and posters, photos, and information on the devastation by the War in Iraq, attended by 1100 people.

Total congregation voted to adopt a resolution against the Georgia anti-gay marriage amendment.

Worships held on proposed establishment of a U.S. Department of Peace.

Supported the Athens Economic Justice Coalitions, founded by a Social Action Committee member, with financial contribution, volunteers at Labor Day marches, workshops, voter registration, etc. Still on-going.

Joined the Interfaith Hospitality Network, providing food and shelter for homeless families in the Fellowship periodically, along with 13 other Athens churches.

Established the "Cause of the Month" program, with monthly brief commentaries from the pulpit by local service providers. Taking a special collection each month for the cause. Contributions run about $500 each month.

Established can collections at the front of the sanctuary each Sunday, with matching collections from members. Cans are donated to the Athens Area Emergency Food Bank.

Many members participated in Athens anti-poverty initiative and continue to work on issues of teen pregnancy and living wage and early childhood education issues.

Social Action members helped build support for the Habitat for Humanity "Building the Dream" project, as well as other Habitat houses.

The committee hosted a dramatic reading at the Fellowship of "The Line in the Sand" stories from the U.S./Mexican border, with discussion on the plight of immigrants following the presentation.

The Social Action Committee joined the UUA's March for Peach, in March 2008, presenting a service on the costs of the Iraq War by the UUSC and co-sponsoring a community vigil on the 5th anniversary of the beginning of the war. The UUFA "Palms of Fire" drum circle participated.

The committee, over the years, has provided consistent financial and volunteers in support of the non-profits aiding the homeless or low income people through the ARK, Our Daily Bread and the Interfaith Hospitality Network.

Social Action services presented by the committee have included: Living Wage Rights of Workers, MLK Service on Union Organizing, UUSC Service on Darfur, GLBT Issues, as well as letter writing campaigns after some of these services.