UUCR Social Justice Groups

ECONOMIC JUSTICE

Hunger Relief 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 Church in Washington, DC; coordinating participation of youth as servers and adults as cooks at The Lord's Table soup kitchen in Gaithersburg, MD; supporting Manna, our local food pantry; and supporting political action for feeding the hungry. Contact: Chuck Fenimore 301-869-4207.

Beacon House 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 Universalist 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. We conduct a School Supply drive each summer, and an annual Holiday gift collection for children and adults served by Beacon House during December. Go to www.beaconhousedc.org or contact: Alberta Maschal 301-926-4817.

Action In Montgomery (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; a full service 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. Go to www.actioninmontgomery.org or contact: Steve Rosen (301-258-2719).

UUs for Social Justice (UUSJ) is a partnership of 25 UU congregations in the No VA-Washington-Baltimore area. UUSJ acts as a regional social justice coordinator advancing the social justice work of UU congregations, organizations, and individuals and increasing the frequency, impact, and visibility of UU collaborative social justice efforts in the region. UUSJ provides leadership and coordination for effective social action based upon UU principles. UUSJ's current focus areas are freedom to marry and environmental justice. UUSJ conducts workshops, training and facilitates sharing of information through its website and e-newsletter. UUCR is a member of UUSJ as are 20 individuals within the congregation. Go to www.uusj.org or contact: Terrie Barr 301-279-9292.

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 metro region's affordable housing financing network. With total assets of $17 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. The UU/Interfaith Advisory Committee retains the UU identity. Go to www.opendoorhousingfund.org or contact: Terrie Barr 301-279-9292.

Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of Maryland (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. Go to www.uulmmd.org or contact Ken Sandin 301 675 6238 or email.

Community Ministries of Rockville (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. UUCR members bring meals to Chase Men's Shelter and participate in other CMR programs. The CMR representative coordinates the annual paper goods drive in October to benefit the Chase Men's Shelter and ensures UUCR's annual contribution to the shelter. The Choir sings at the annual Thanksgiving Eve service held at UUCR for the past few years. Go to www.cmrocks.org or contact: Antonio Carrillo, 301-424-1795.

Interfaith Works (formerly 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. Interfaith Works 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. Interfaith Works 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. The UUCR representative coordinates UUCR's participation in the annual Community Based Shelter meals during June. Go to www.communityministrymc.org for more information.

HUMAN RIGHTS

Immigration Interest Group formed with the objective to study and understand better the issues around immigration and to develop activities that may help us to move towards an immigration action group. The group meets once a month. In 2011 UUCR showed the film, 5900 Liberty, and presented a panel on immigration issues for the congregation, featuring sabbatical minister Rob Keithan, State Senator Ana Sol Gutierrez, and two UUCR members, David Strauss and Adriana Brigatti. Current activities include: reviewing the UUA Immigration resources, establishing contacts with Casa of Maryland and/or Action in Montgomery and organizing a program for our adult education series. Find more information on the UUA website. Contact Adriana Brigatti at abrigatti -at- comcast.net.

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. In 2006, PAG members initiated and the full SJ Committee approved a resolution calling for the end of the U.S. occupation of Iraq. In 2007, PAG merged with the Peacemaking Group. The new 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: Wonderful Wednesday programs including films, book discussions and speakers; special worship services; and cooperation with organizations such as PeaceAction Montgomery to encourage participation in peace vigils, petition drives, demonstrations, etc. The group meets every first Tuesday at 6:30. Contact: Pam Rasmussen at 240-506-0766, or email.

Bi-Sexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender (BGLT) 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 301-977-8564 or Steve Eckstrand 301-340-3133.

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (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. Several UUCR members have participated in UUSC-sponsored Stop Torture Permanently Campaign events. Go to www.uusc.org. Contact: Bob Oyler, email or 240-477-8078, and Linda Hartley, email or 301-926-6454.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE

Environment Group: Inspired by the 7th Unitarian Universalist principle, respect for the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part, Unitarian Universalism is deeply rooted in social and environmental justice as a direct expression of our faith. Our commitment to the Earth involves creating a sustainable life style for UUCR members as individuals and as a faith community. Sustainable living is not about our material comfort (though these choices are an important part of the overall life style); it is about choosing to live in a way that nurtures life, builds relationships, and rejects material consumption as the sole determinant of happiness. Contact Terrie Barr at 301 279 9292 or terriebarr -at- comcast.net.