Unitarian Universalists are known for active engagement in social justice issues. As Rabbi Abraham Heschel said about marching with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King in Selma, Alabama, “When I marched in Selma, I felt my legs were praying.”

We show our values by showing up to answer the call for social justice.

At UUFSC we have a track record of standing on the side of love, for civil rights, LGBTQ equality, immigration reform, environmental sustainability, reproductive justice, racial justice and more.

FOCUS

Our congregation focuses on the following on-going actions every year:

• Community Conversations: educational, participatory events focusing on diverse human rights issues, i.e., LGBTQ+, Neurodiversity, Disability Justice
• MoPride in the Park in October
• Salvation Army sock drive in December
• UU The Vote: a national UUA letter-writing platform encouraging voting to marginalized populations via Votefwd.org

Being UUs calls us not only to be active in the world, but to be active in a way that honors the diversity in our congregation and community.

COLLABORATIONS

Our Social Justice Team uses a process that respects the diversity of opinion in the congregation. In March & April of 2024, our team set a goal of narrowing our focus, thus increasing the impact of our work. Following a congregational survey, we chose to add the following to our regularly-scheduled, ongoing efforts.

Modesto’s Peace/Life Center Collaboration from July to December 2024: At the end of that six-month period, the team will decide to continue that collaboration for another six months or choose the next six-month issue in accordance with the survey results.

Since its inception over 60 years ago, UUFSC has engaged in our local and larger communities in social justice actions. Over the last two years (2022-2024), we have supported and engaged with the following events and actions:

• UUFSC Christmas Sock Drive
• UUFSC Community Conversations
• Faith in the Valley (homeless issues)
• Family Promise (feeding homeless families)
• Forward Together Police Oversight
• Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus County’s Walk a Mile
• Visit the web site for more information.
• Immigration Reform/Farmworkers’ Events
• Inter-Faith Ministries
• Latino Roundtable
• MoPRIDE/LGBTQ+ Collaborative
• NAACP
• Peace/Life Center
• Reproductive Justice
• Salvation Army Homeless Shelter Meals
• Stop Gun Violence
• UUTheVote
• V.I.P (Valley Improvement Project, Environmental Justice)

The Social Justice Team keeps the congregation abreast of important local and national social justice dates and actions for their individual attention via e-blasts, Facebook page posts and emails. Additionally, should an unexpected but pressing community event or action arise, announcements are made at service regarding that action to facilitate the congregation’s involvement.

GIVING BACK

At the end of each fiscal year, should funds remain in our Social Justice Team budget, a review is held and the team approves a monetary donation to a local organization devoted to human rights in accordance with the congressional survey data.

JOIN THE TEAM

Our Social Justice team, guided by our Unitarian Universalist values, welcomes participation from all members and friends, be it joining a one-time event or committing to a project over time.

Hybrid Meetings

1st Friday of each month at 11:00 AM

2172 Kiernan Avenue, Modesto (in the Education Center on campus) or

https://zoom.us/j/96504437666?pwd=UDV1c0hvR1luZmRqdDU2b05XQ1IzQT09

Meeting ID: 965 0443 7666
Passcode: 19531953

Contact Team Lead, Mary Rodgers at marymaking2@gmail.com if you have any questions.