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Interfaith IMPACT of New York State presents In The Hot Seat: Global Climate Change & Its Effect On Us March 10, 2013 - Temple Sinai (363 Penfield Rd., Rochester, NY 14610 Documents on current issues: Interfaith IMPACT of New York State position paper on the Minimum Wage Letter to the editor by Rev. Dick Gilbert
Social Justice Resources for UU Congregations Key Social Justice connections: Interfaith Impact of New York State UU Social Justice organizations
FAITH WORKS: A UU PERSPECTIVE In the words of the early 19th century theologian Hosea Ballou: "There is one inevitable criterion of judgment touching religious faith in doctrinal matters, can you reduce it to practice? If not, have none of it." Spirituality and action for justice are a seamless garment. Action flows organically from a spirituality of thanksgiving for being. It is a natural consequence of who we are and the nature of our religious convictions. Faith and action are part of the same motion. While ours is a non-creedal faith, we are united in the belief that we create life meanings in the very struggle for justice in the community. We seek to become a "spiritual center with a civic circumference” in the words of UU prophet James Luther Adams. The holy for us emerges from engagement in the search for Beloved Community. Ultimately we are joined by a mystical oneness that has informed all the prophets of humanity — an interdependent web of being in which “thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself because thy neighbor is thyself.” (David Rhys Williams) How Faith Works in the St. Lawrence District The Social Justice Council (SJC) of the St. Lawrence Unitarian Universalist District (SLUUD) was authorized by the 2005 District Assembly to support the work of justice-making within and among Unitarian Universalist congregations in the district. Its mission is to make the collective voice of Unitarian Universalists heard in the wider world. The purposes of SJC are: > To connect our congregations and their representatives. Websites and list serves will be created to share information, events and actions. Issue-oriented groups will be facilitated. > To serve our congregations and their representatives by providing them with information and education. This will be done through an annual social justice conference, denominational training events and worship services. > To grow our congregations both spiritually and socially to insure our collective voice is heard more loudly and clearly on issues of importance. SJC is composed of seven members and a part-time Social Justice Coordinator to facilitate the work of the districts and the congregations. The Council provides consultative services, posts to the SLUUD website, publishes the “Agenda for Change” newsletter approximately monthly, connects UU’s to social justice resources and sponsors an annual social justice conference, “Be the Change You Want to See in the World” October 20, 2007, at May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society of Syracuse. SJC is a member of and works closely with Interfaith Impact of New York State (IINYS), www.interfaithimpactnys.org a progressive coalition of Protestants, Reform Jews, Unitarian Universalists and others who share our vision of progressive religion in the public square. SJC works with other UU social justice programs, including the Unitarian Universalist Association, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) and other affiliated groups. Specifically, it is the goal of the SJC to create a Social Justice Network (SJN) among the district congregations. SJC will coordinate communications among congregations and individuals. It is hoped that there will be a social justice program in every congregation in the district. SJC stands ready to consult with individual congregations and clusters to hone organizational skills. There is a renewed focus on advocacy in the district. The District Executive, Tom Chulak, will be empowered to speak on behalf of the St. Lawrence District. The Council will be guided by the official social witness statements of the Unitarian Universalist Association. While many of our congregations have programs in social service and education, it is hoped that there will be increased emphasis on social witness, advocacy and community organizing. The foci of social justice work will be at the local, state and national levels. Richard S. Gilbert, Social Justice Coordinator
rsgilbert@uuma.org
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