Social Action Ministry
The heart of Unitarian Universalist religious practice is working for wellbeing, peace and justice in the world through social action. From service to the poor and hungry to transforming economic systems, from planting trees to ensuring that role of humanity on this earth is sustainable, from creating peace between individuals to forging peace in the world, the Social Action Ministry Committee (SAM) helps the people of SUUC coordinate our social action. If we do our work well, we will leave the world better than we find it.
The SAM sorts our efforts into three simple categories: Action we all do, Action many of us do, and Action that some of us do. The SAM is the coordinating group for all the social action in our congregation, but we do not direct or “own” much of that action.
The SAM sorts our efforts into three simple categories: Action we all do, Action many of us do, and Action that some of us do. The SAM is the coordinating group for all the social action in our congregation, but we do not direct or “own” much of that action.
SAM assists the congregation to express our UU values by identifying, developing, and communicating opportunities to assist those in need by direct action, or to influence public policy to create a more just world.
Click here for a document with information about various approaches to social justice.
For more information on getting involved, please contact the office.
Click here for a document with information about various approaches to social justice.
For more information on getting involved, please contact the office.
Ongoing Social Action Projects
SUNDAY MORNING OFFERING PLATE SHARE
One Sunday a month for nine months of the year, the congregation donates between 75% to 100% of the money in our offering baskets to a charitable organization chosen by the congregation. Members of the Plate Share Team works to coordinate with the recipient organizations and share information with the congregation. Each Fall, the committee gathers nominations and organizes the congregation’s voting for nine charities to be recipients of a Plate Share for the following calendar year.
One Sunday a month for nine months of the year, the congregation donates between 75% to 100% of the money in our offering baskets to a charitable organization chosen by the congregation. Members of the Plate Share Team works to coordinate with the recipient organizations and share information with the congregation. Each Fall, the committee gathers nominations and organizes the congregation’s voting for nine charities to be recipients of a Plate Share for the following calendar year.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ENDOWMENT FUND (SRE)
The Social Responsibility Endowment Fund provides a permanent source of funds to be used for social responsibility causes through the distribution of the annual income of the endowment principle to organizations with an environmental mission or with an international focus. The congregation chooses the organizations. The congregation also holds the Global Concerns Donation Campaign to collect additional contributions for the organizations.
The Social Responsibility Endowment Fund provides a permanent source of funds to be used for social responsibility causes through the distribution of the annual income of the endowment principle to organizations with an environmental mission or with an international focus. The congregation chooses the organizations. The congregation also holds the Global Concerns Donation Campaign to collect additional contributions for the organizations.
THE OAKS (North King County Aurora Oaks Enhanced Shelter)
The Oaks is a transitional housing for formerly homeless people to assist them in gaining permanent housing, employment, and address substance abuse and mental health issues. Semi-annually, the congregation collects non-perishable food and other items that will be of benefit to their residents. The children in Sunday morning religious exploration classes make sandwiches and bag lunches for the residents a few times per year.
The Oaks is a transitional housing for formerly homeless people to assist them in gaining permanent housing, employment, and address substance abuse and mental health issues. Semi-annually, the congregation collects non-perishable food and other items that will be of benefit to their residents. The children in Sunday morning religious exploration classes make sandwiches and bag lunches for the residents a few times per year.
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FAITH ACTION NETWORK (FAN)
Shoreline UU is a long time contributing member of the Network of Advocating Faith Communities with over 150 communities across Washington State, committed to partnering with FAN and each other to build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world. Members and friends of the congregation participate in FAN’s annual Interfaith Advocacy Day to bring the voices of compassion and justice to our elected leaders. Meeting with our legislators and their staff on this day is putting our faith into action! On Interfaith Advocacy Day, we:
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HEALTH CARE SURROGATE SUPPORT
The congregation offers assistance to people who need help creating an Advance Directive and present their health care preferences if they lose the ability to make informed decisions. If you do not have a surrogate or healthcare representative, our team will help you find one and they will help you create the necessary documents. If you are interested in offering this invaluable service, our team will gladly provide training so you can join our support team. Please contact the church office for more information.
The congregation offers assistance to people who need help creating an Advance Directive and present their health care preferences if they lose the ability to make informed decisions. If you do not have a surrogate or healthcare representative, our team will help you find one and they will help you create the necessary documents. If you are interested in offering this invaluable service, our team will gladly provide training so you can join our support team. Please contact the church office for more information.
ANSWER
This is a project in which congregants sponsor Nepali students who otherwise could not afford to attend school to pay their tuition, books, and lab fees to increase the level of education in Nepal. Sponsors typically pay approximately $500 per year, all of which goes towards their sponsored students' needs. Sponsors get together periodically to share letters from their students and get ideas for their letters to their students. Another goal of the project is to increase sponsors. It is anticipated that there will be an annual lunch or dinner to learn more about Nepal and to raise money for the administrative costs of ANSWER. For more information contact J. Earl Canfield, through this link.
This is a project in which congregants sponsor Nepali students who otherwise could not afford to attend school to pay their tuition, books, and lab fees to increase the level of education in Nepal. Sponsors typically pay approximately $500 per year, all of which goes towards their sponsored students' needs. Sponsors get together periodically to share letters from their students and get ideas for their letters to their students. Another goal of the project is to increase sponsors. It is anticipated that there will be an annual lunch or dinner to learn more about Nepal and to raise money for the administrative costs of ANSWER. For more information contact J. Earl Canfield, through this link.
MAGAZINES FOR HOSPITAL WAITING AREAS
The congregation collects new and lightly used magazines for hospital waiting areas. There is a box in the conference room.
The congregation collects new and lightly used magazines for hospital waiting areas. There is a box in the conference room.
Past Social Action Projects
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Meaningful Movies
Climate Action and Environmental Justice Provide meals for The Oaks Duwamish Support Anti-Racism study and actions |
Ending Homelessness
Anti-poverty Efforts Ending Gun Violence UU the Vote / Get Out the Vote Built a tiny house |
