Social Justice at First Universalist

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Social Justice Program

Social justice has been a focus of our church since its founding in 1859. Highlights include:

* 1897--We created the Unity Settlement House with a mother's club, a kindergarten, a job program, evening classes, and a gym. (Henry Fonda was an employee in the 1920's!) This program lasted until 1968.

* 1960's--We played an active role in the civil rights movement and, in 1964, our minister John Cummins marched to Selma with Martin Luther King and other activists.

* 1968--We formed the First Universalist Foundation to promote the work of justice. Funds helped us hire a Social Justice Coordinator and build the Unity Summer Program.

* 1980's--We provided sanctuary for Central American refugees and established the first church-based peace site in Minnesota.

* 1990's--We created the Unity Summer Program.

ISAIAH

A major commitment to the Social Justice program is membership in an intra-faith organization called ISAIAH. "The members of ISAIAH are moved by faith to act. We are called to transform the world, to build our congregations and to establish justice."
* For further information, please click here.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

There are many ways to get involved in the work of justice at First Universalist Church!

Housing

Habitat for Humanity. Work side by side with low-income people to remodel and build affordable housing, in partnership with the broader UUAHP efforts. Help us paint, spackle, nail, and saw! Join a newly formed metro-wide UU group on special building projects.

Neighborhood Connections

Food Shelf. Help collect and deliver nonperishable food monthly to nearby Joyce Food Shelf.

Special Volunteer Projects. Help organize annual events that connect First Universalist with our neighborhood. In early fall, the Warm Hands Warm Hearts Program buys over 250 jackets and mittens for needy kids.

The Alternative Holiday Fair features the sale of crafts of economically disenfranchised people.

Youth & Families

Children & Community. Help connect volunteers to community programs that educate, serve and advocate for children in need. Serve monthly meals at the Minneapolis Crisis Nursery.

Unity Leadership Program. Help organize paid work experiences for youth in local social service or social justice organizations. Our program builds job skills, self-esteem, and a social justice ethic! An application form and more information is available by clicking here.

Other opportunities…

First Universalist Foundation. Since 1970, our Foundation has given money to worthy projects through its grants program.

Social Justice Special Collections-Each month a special collection is taken during Sunday services to benefit a local social justice organization. The Social Justice community can suggest recipients for the collection.

Social Justice Potlucks. A chance to network and learn what’s going on in social justice. Potlucks held every two or three months. Or, join social justice volunteers in May to celebrate the year.

Leadership is provided by:
Social Justice Coordinator Debra Rogers, 612-825-1701, x106, debra@firstuniv.org

This page last updated on 03/15/07

First Universalist Church of Minneapolis