The Role of the Winchester Unitarian Society and its Members in Advancing Social Justice and Love

Our affirmation of Shared Ministry states:

We gather not for ourselves alone, but to use our common power to build the Beloved Community within and beyond these walls. We create and reaffirm this covenant each day – to make justice flourish, to practice compassion amid differences, and to embody transformational love.

Winchester Unitarian Society prepares and supports its congregation to actively participate in our democracy through civic engagement that upholds our Unitarian Universalist values. We understand social justice work as a shared responsibility operating at multiple, interconnected levels:

• Individual – We offer care, education, encouragement, and training to empower ourselves and provide opportunities for one another to engage meaningfully in civic action and social justice efforts. WUS provides readings, films, speakers, group discussions, trainings, and opportunities for engagement.
• Congregational – We position our church as a hub for civic engagement by using our collective strength and resources to advance social justice and the values of Unitarian Universalism. WUS prioritizes social justice through the themes of Sunday services, the work of committees and ministries, and the stewardship of financial resources.
• Municipal and Regional – We provide moral leadership within our towns and cities by advocating for justice, equity, and a strong, participatory democracy. WUS seeks to be a visible social justice partner in Winchester and the surrounding region, engaging congregants in local and regional action.
• The Commonwealth – We collaborate with other congregations through UU Mass Action and allied statewide organizations to promote a more just and inclusive Massachusetts. WUS cultivates active partnerships with UU Mass Action and other Massachusetts-based social action organizations to influence statewide policy and collective action.
• Our Nation and the World – We join with Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country and around the globe—through the Unitarian Universalist Association, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and partner organizations—to advance human rights and help build a more just and compassionate world
  

The Social Action and Outreach Committee coordinates our congregation’s efforts for social justice and community involvement. The committee informs the congregation on justice issues and community needs, and facilitates congregational participation in service and advocacy work.

Ongoing Social Action and Outreach Projects

• Lobbying legislators in conjunction with UU Mass Action to end mass incarceration
• Acting on immigration and refugee issues in Massachusetts
• Cooking once a month at the Women’s Lunch Place in Boston
• Organizing on-going food donations to the Woburn Council of Social Concern
• Collecting Christmas gifts and clothes for marginalized people
• Providing short and longer opportunities for volunteering

Would you like to become active in Social Justice issues in our state? We support UU Mass Action, whose weekly newsletter educates us on how we can respond to timely issues, such as:

• Immigrant rights and granting asylum status
• Reforming the incarceration system
• Climate action and renewable energy
• Economic inequality

Twice a year members may order Fair Trade Coffee and Chocolate. By purchasing from Equal Exchange at cost we support the cooperatives of small farmers in Central and South America and Africa. Since most mainstream chocolate comes from cacao plantations in West Africa, we can reduce harmful child labor there. Equal Exchange coffee and chocolates, are sourced fairly from small-scale farmer co-ops.

Grants

Annually, we review the grant applications recommended by our members and staff to allocate 3 to 5% of the congregation’s budget, to justice and charitable groups whose programs align with our Mission and Vision and with our members’ priorities. The Committee invites members to recommend non-profit organizations for these Grants via completely of our annual Grant Application Form. Each year a new application needs to be submitted even if your organization has received a grant int he past.

This year’s grant process:

Share the Plate

Members of the congregation, our staff and minister may recommend charities for the Share the Plate program. The Social Action and Outreach Committee decides which charities to approve for the list, which the Minister uses as her source to select a recipient to receive half of the Sunday offering.

Update on the 8th Principle Vote

On May 15th 2022, after months of learning and discussion, the WUS congregation voted at the Annual Meeting to adopt the 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism.  Please go here for much more detail and further understanding of this important process within the UUA.