UUCR Social Justice Task Forces & Action Groups

Housing and Homelessness Task Force

The task force focuses on local and regional housing and homelessness issues. Activities include: conducting a paper goods drive in October for Chase Men’s shelter; coordinating the provision of meals for a week in June for the Community Based Shelter in Rockville; coordinating UUCR participation in and fund-raising for the Shelter Walk sponsored by the Montgomery County Coalition for the Homeless held in May; partnering with Community Ministries of Rockville, Community Ministry of Montgomery County, UU Affordable Housing Corporation, etc. on service projects and advocacy regarding housing and homelessness. Contact: Sarah Rubin

Hunger Task Force

The task force focuses on local, national and international issues regarding hunger. Local activities include coordinating UUCR’s participation of youth and adults in the annual Thanksgiving food collection for All Soul’s Unitarian Universalist Church in Washington, D.C.; coordinating participation of youth as servers at The Lord’s Table soup kitchen in Gaithersburg, MD; and supporting political action for feeding the hungry. Contact: Chuck Fenimore

Beacon House Task Force

The task force supports the programs of Beacon House Community Ministry, Inc. in the Edgewood Terrance neighborhood in Northeast Washington, D.C. Founded by Rev. Donald Robinson in 1990, this inner city Unitarian community ministry provides after school activities, tutoring and mentoring to at-risk children. Volunteers from UUCR coordinate field trips for Beacon House children and support other Saturday morning activities. Task Force members also conduct a School Supply drive each summer, and an annual Holiday gift collection for children and adults served by Beacon House during December. Contact: Alberta Maschal

Action In Montgomery (AIM)

AIM is a broad-based, non-partisan, organization of more than 30 multi-faith religious organizations in Montgomery County that seeks to build a base of citizen power to influence political leaders to make financial commitments on issues of social justice. AIM leaders use grassroots organizing to identify issues of concern to everyday citizens and provide a seat at the power table to voice the concerns of poor, working and middle class citizens.

Current issues identified by AIM are: affordable housing (1000 units on county land in 4 years); immigration services, i.e., an immigration office in the county; refurbished and staffed community centers for youths, seniors and immigrants; and college bound counseling and scholarships. AIM offers opportunities to serve on study committees as well as training in organizing and advocacy. AIM holds one large event or “action” per year attended by members of all of the member congregations and political leaders. UUCR is a founding member of AIM. Contact: Mary Lanigan

Peacemaking Group

Peacemaking –- both internationally and at home -- has been a focus of the Social Justice Committee since 2002, when a Peace Action Group was formed by a group of UUCR members and friends. PAG members coordinated educational activities for the congregation, and served as a forum for identifying appropriate opportunities for activism. For example, in 2006, PAG members drafted and proposed a resolution calling for the end of the U.S. occupation of Iraq. That resolution was later approved by the full Social Justice Committee and delivered to Maryland’s representatives and senators. This year, when the Social Justice Committee agreed to participate in the UUA’s Peacemaking Study/Action Issue, PAG merged with a new, expanded Peacemaking Group.

The Peacemaking Group is leading UUCR members and friends in studying and discussing all aspects of what it means to pursue peace, including development of an annual plan for education, reflection and action. Activities include the First Friday Freedom Film series (of which at least one film per quarter will be devoted to issues related to peace); Wonderful Wednesday educational forums; a book discussion group; special worship services; and cooperation with organizations such as PeaceAction Montgomery to encourage participation in peace vigils, petition drives, demonstrations, etc. Contact: Pam Rasmussen

Bi-Sexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender (BGLT) Action Group

The BGLT Action Group was formed in 2004 to provide a focus for educating others about issues affecting BGLT persons and advocating for equal treatment. Members focus on local, State and national issues. In 2006, they initiated a Rainbow Youth Alliance chapter at UUCR for BGLT youth. The Co-Chairs also serve as UUCR’s representatives to the UUSJ Freedom to Marry Task Force. Contact Stephanie Kreps or Steve Eckstrand

UUCR Affiliations

UUCR also has affiliations with and works in collaboration with the following organizations:

UUs for Social Justice (UUSJ)

UUSJ is a partnership of 25 UU congregations in the Washington-Baltimore area dedicated to promoting the principles of human dignity, justice and compassion through service, community development, advocacy, education and interfaith cooperation on urban concerns in the Baltimore -Washington region. UUSJ seeks to network the activities of individual UU churches to support collaborative efforts of UU social justice activists. UUSJ’s current focus areas are affordable housing, freedom to marry, climate change and health care. UUSJ conducts workshops, training and facilitates sharing of information. UUCR is a member of UUSJ as are many individuals within the congregation. Contact: Terrie Barr

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)

UUSC, founded over 60 years ago, advances human rights and social justice around the world partnering with local grassroots organizations in four program areas. UUSC stands with these communities to confront unjust power structures and to challenge oppressive policies. Program areas: advancing economic justice; defending civil liberties and access to democratic processes; promoting environmental justice; protecting rights in humanitarian crises.

The primary UUSC activity at UUCR is the annual Guest At Your Table program conducted at Thanksgiving. Families and children learn about international social justice issues by hosting and feeding a “Guest At Your Table” box at their dinner table for a month. Those who donate $40 or more become members; approximately 13% of UUCR members and friends are members of UUSC. Several UUCR members have participated in UUSC-sponsored Stop Torture Permanently Campaign events.Contact: Mary Lanigan

OpenDoor Housing Fund

(formerly UU Affordable Housing Corporation) In 2007, UUAHC merged with the Washington Area Housing Trust Fund to become the OpenDoor Housing Fund. This community development loan fund fills critical gaps in the Washington, DC metropolitan region’s affordable housing financing network. With total assets of $20 million, the fund makes loans to all types of affordable housing developers including, nonprofit, for profit and tenant associations. Capital sources include federal, state and local governments, churches, foundations and individuals. A UU/Faith Based Fund will retain the UU identity. Contact: Terrie Barr

Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland (UULM-MD)

UULM-MD is a membership organization facilitating the state-wide UU base to address human rights and public policy before Federal, Maryland state and local governments. It formed in 2005 to work for a Maryland free of oppression and injustice where all are guaranteed their human rights. It addresses this vision by alerting, educating, activating UUs in the state. Contact Ken Sandin.

Community Ministries of Rockville (CMR)

CMR is an interfaith coalition of Rockville congregations founded in 1967 to serve those in need in Rockville. UUCR is a member congregation and contributes financially. CMR operates an emergency assistance program, Latino outreach program, elderly ministries to enable frail elderly to remain in their home, Chase Partnership House for homeless men, Jefferson House – transitional housing for homeless men, and Hope housing. Program details may be found here. UUCR members bring meals to Chase men’s shelter and participate in other CMR programs. The Choir sings at the annual Thanksgiving Eve service held at one of the congregations. Contact: Antonio Carrillo

Community Ministry of Montgomery County (CMMC)

CMMC is an interfaith coalition of congregations in Montgomery County founded in 1972 whose mission is to pursue social justice by leading and engaging faith communities in Montgomery County in service, education and advocacy. UUCR is a member congregation and contributes financially. CMMC operates the Community Based Shelter in Rockville for homeless men and women. UUCR along with other churches provides meals for the shelter for one week in June. CMMC also operates an Interfaith Housing Coalition, Emergency Assistance Program, Friends in Action (a family mentoring program), Horizon House, Interfaith Clothing Center, Micro-Enterprise as well as education and training on advocacy, issue identification, etc. Contact: Kathy Ellwood.