Calendar @ 1st UU
in Columbus
and Beyond
Mid-Year 2005-06
The new millennium has seen, among other things, increased disenfranchisement of the poor and women as moral decision makers, threats to the environment, and increased challenges to education, voting rights, and civil rights. First UU continues to seek activities that will infuse the UU principles into these areas of injustice and need.
The past twelve months have required the congregation and committee to be on alert for extreme need. The congregation has, as always, responded with action and awe-inspiring generosity. The committee has responded with measured and careful consideration to determine the best use of resources over the span of the 2005-06 church year.
The committee has seen its share of changes this year. We have had to adjust to working without Marge Lynd while she has been away caring for her daughter Rose. Rose, Marge, and the Lynd family are ever present in our thoughts. The committee voted at it’s October meeting to create the leadership role of vice-chair, and the record keeping positions of treasurer and secretary. Each committee officer, including chair, will serve for one year. The creation of the committee webpage has increased the committee’s ability to communicate with members substantially.
Through the Mission Sunday collection on the third Sunday of the month from July through December 2005, this congregation supported the activities chosen by the Social Justice Committee with $8,753 in addition to the $6,646 beginning balance. Those amounts do not include additional fundraising efforts for Empty Bowls (Mid-Ohio Food Bank), Free Trade coffee sales, Guest-at-Your-Table (UUSC), or other individual contributions made to specific projects.
For the 2005-06 church year the Social Justice Committee has committed $18,130 to supporting the following projects/organizations.
Service includes a commitment to financially support the following projects and organizations this year:
- Faith Mission/Pater Noster Meals Organized, prepared and served by First UUer’s on the first and third Friday of each month.
- YWCA Family Center Organized, prepared and served by First UUer’s on the fourth Friday of each month.
- Mineral, OH Project Located in Appalachian Ohio, Feed My Sheep is one of the few food banks still open in the economically devastated area. First UU provides financial and material support to help supply the neediest folks with the basics through Feed My Sheep.
- Native American Indian Center of Central Ohio (NAICCO) Provides social services to Native Americans and others in the community and advocates for cultural awareness and sensitivity.
- Clintonville-Beechwold Community Resources Center (CRC) Local services organization serving the invisible poor of our community.
- Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) Our denominational development and human rights organization.
- Heifer International programs to end poverty and hunger through education and farming projects.
- UUSC Youth Scholarships Intended to provide incentive and assistance to those young people interested in expanding their knowledge, experience, and application of the UU principles.
- Kalidescope Youth Coalition Providing advocacy, education, support and a safe environment gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth in Central Ohio.
- LifeCare Alliance Through the Faith in Action program, seniors are provided with companionship, and assistance with chores and basic home maintenance.
Systemic Change includes a commitment to financially support the following projects and organizations this year:
- B.R.E.A.D. Regional multi-faith organization consisting of 47 congregations that lobby public servants and political bodies to address the concerns of our communities.
- Citizens Intent on Reforming Corporate Accountability (CIRCA) Linked to national organizations working to eliminate the power of corporations to control our elections, environment, education, etc.
- Ohio Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (Ohio RCRC) Statewide affiliate of the national organization raising awareness and advocating for a religious community that supports a woman’s right to choose.
- Single Payer Action Network (SPANOhio) Advocating for state funded universal healthcare via education and legislation.
- RESULTS International grassroots lobbying organization to end poverty and hunger.
- NARAL Pro-Choice Ohio Education Foundation National organization advocating for a woman’s right to choose through education and lobbying.
- Equality Ohio Statewide organization dedicated to protecting civil rights for the GLBT population in Ohio through education, advocacy, and action.
- UU - United Nations Office The UU UN Office provides UU’s a locus to join hands with the international community to build world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. Faith and action intersect for UUs in the global arena of the United Nations and its affiliated non-governmental organizations.
- Franklin County Consortium for Good Government Local consortium of congregations and non-profits that organize ‘meet-the-candidates’ nights throughout Columbus.
- Ohioans to Stop Execution (OTSE) Statewide organization bringing awareness to Ohio’s death penalty laws, second only to Texas.
Congregational Support consisted of a one-time transfer to the First UU General Fund to help offset sign language expense.
With your support, First UU has also been able to continue to broaden the path in the community for justice this year by supporting the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) - Gulf Coast Flood Relief, UUA -Transylvania Flood Relief, Gulf Coast - Adopt-A-Home, CRC Senior Brunch, Center for Non-Violent Communication Seminars, Peace Breakfast for Cindy Sheehan’s Bring Them Home Now Tour, Meet the Candidates Night, and Intelligent Design Panel Discussion - American United for Separation of Church and State.
We continually work to improve our methods of keeping you informed, facilitate the congregation’s participation in social justice endeavors, and project Unitarian Universalist principles into our community and world. We do this with gratitude for your support and trust, and invite you to participate in our committee and organizing meetings.
Scott Burch
Chair, Social Justice Committee