Mission statement
Our mission is twofold: (1) to develop opportunities for the congregation to engage in discussion of issues related to social justice and (2) to identify social-action needs and coordinate and support the congregation in activities in pursuit of social justice locally, nationally, and internationally as a means of living out our Unitarian Universalist principles.
Over the past year, in keeping with its Mission Statement, the Social Action Committee has both developed opportunities for the congregation to engage in discussion of matters related to social justice and coordinated the congregation in activities in support of social justice. Here is a summary.
Lifebridge Sunday-night suppers
Volunteering at Lifebridge in Salem. Click on image for larger view and for more photos.
In the fall of 2009, the Social Action Committee undertook to involve the whole church community in the monthly Sunday night supper at Lifebridge (formerly the Salem Mission). With a whiteboard sign-up prominently displayed in the Fellowship Hall, most months we have had a full quota of volunteers long before the date of our supper. Many who cannot volunteer to shop, cook, and serve the meal have provided generous financial support for reimbursing the shoppers.
If you are able to shop, cook, and serve a meal on the fourth Sunday of the month, please sign up. The time commitment is from 5 to 7 p.m., we really are out of there at 7. We don’t do the clean-up! It’s a great way to have fun with others from NSUU and at the same time provide a much-needed service.
Discussion groups
In the winter of 2011, a series of three discussion groups focused on the topic of racism and white privilege. Drawing information and ideas from the PBS series Race: The Power of an Illusion, we listened to one another share about the ways racism had affected our lives. There is interest in continuing these discussions.
In the winter of 2012, we plan to initiate discussions on the topic of immigration.
Film night
In March 2011 we were fortunate to be able to co-sponsor, along with House of Peace and the North Shore Coalition for Peace and Justice, filmmaker Michael Sheridan, who spoke and showed parts of the documentary The Fruit of Our Labor, a collection of short films, made by Afghans, that bring to life ordinary Afghans’ efforts to address their challenging social and economic conditions. The films were produced during a recent filmmaking training provided by Sheridan’s organization, Community Supported Film.
The Social Action Committee is planning other film nights for the 2011-2012 church year.
Boston’s gay pride parade
Marching in Boston Pride. Click on image for larger photo.
On June 11, 2011, for the second year in a row, a group from NSUU marched as part of a very large UU contingent in Boston’s Gay Pride Parade. And for the second year in a row, we marched in the rain! Despite the downpour, the two-mile parade route was lined with cheering supporters, and spirits among the marchers remained high right to the end. We plan to march again next June and welcome all who would like to join us. Who knows? Maybe next June we’ll march in the sunshine.
Share-the-plate
Once a month, the offering is designated for a non-profit organization whose work is consistent with UU principles. Recipient organizations are proposed by members of the congregation and chosen by the Social Action Committee. In addition to donating money, the share-the-plate program aims to educate church members about the work being done by each organization so that members can choose to become involved if they wish.
Among the recipients in the past year were the Danvers Welcome Table, the UU Urban Ministry, the Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf Library, the Lifebridge Food Fund, the World Health Mission, Beverly Bootstraps, Community Supported Film, the Essex County Greenbelt Association, the UUA/UUSC Japan Relief Fund, and the UUA/UU-United Nations Office LGBT Uganda Fund.
The Social Action Committee welcomes proposals for share-the-plate recipients from members of the congregation. There is a simple form to fill out. Blank forms are posted on the Social Action Committee bulletin board near the front of Fellowship Hall. Completed forms can be left at the office or given to Lois Markham or any other member of the Social Action Committee.
Danvers People-to-People Food Pantry
Church members and visitors are encouraged to bring a donation to the Danvers People-to-People Food Pantry when they come to a service. There is a box for donations in the Fellowship Hall. This past year, in order to help us to remember to bring our donations, the Social Action Committee designated the first Sunday of each month Food Sunday. Of course, donations are welcome at any other time as well.
Operation Troop Support
This past year, after an inspiring talk at church by Dick Moody, one of the founders of Operation Troop Support, NSUU became a collection point for the organization. Established in March 2003 and headquartered in Danvers, Operation Troop Support serves deployed men and women in uniform from across the country. The organization has five missions: sending care packages to deployed troops; supplying our military hospitals both state side and abroad with much needed comfort items; spearheading an extensive holiday gift wrapping and distribution program to military forces; coordinating a regional military family support group program, and generating a public awareness of the sacrifices and needs of the soldiers and their families.
There is a list of the Social Action Committee bulletin board of needed items, including specially featured items for each month. Donations may be left in a basket in Fellowship Hall.
