caring for our community

              first uu social action projects

Lavender Concerns (Lesbian, Gays, Bisexual, Transgendered Issues)
Supports civil rights, freedom from violence, adoption rights for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgendered persons.  This group is also interested in promoting human rights and respect for diversity through musical and other artistic expression.
Contact: Brandy Sinco

Dialogue on Race and Ethnicity (DARE)
Promotes increased appreciation and support for issues relating to race and ethnicity in our congregation, community, nation and ourselves.
Contact: Kathy Friedrichs, Kathy Edgren

recommended reading

most recent DARE brochure

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Memorial Advising and Planning Society (MAPS)
Education concerning funeral practices and informed choices on planning for death and dying.
Contact:  Bill Ferguson

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 Michigan Interfaith Power & Light
A statewide organization of 70 member congregations that promote the implementation of energy conservation, energy efficiency, renewable energy and sustainable environmental practices.

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Blood Drive
We participate in an annual Blood Drive for the Red Cross held at the First UU Church in December.
Contact: Sandra Breck

Friends of Welfare Rights (Washtenaw County)
Contact: Ann Hubbell

Habitat for Humanity
First UU congregation participates in the "Good News" coalition of Huron Valley area churches to build a local Habitat for Humanity house each spring/summer. Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit housing organization whose mission is to provide decent, affordable housing for people in need.
Contact: Barbara Pickett and Dorothy Wilson

Intact-ivism
End all forms of non-consentual genital cutting and circumcision for females, males, and intersexed persons.

Supports Equality Now, NOCIRC, ISNA.
Contacts: Brandy Sinco, Anita Sherman

Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)
IHN is a network of congregations that furnishes overnight lodging and meals for three to five homeless families on a rotating schedule throughout the year.
Contact: Tom Bowden, Roberta Radovich

Labor Concerns
Supports fair employment laws and economic justice for working people.
Contact: Brandy Sinco

Religious Action for Affordable Housing (RAAH)
Raises money to support the building of affordable housing in the area.
Contact: Lise Anderson

Reproductive Rights
We envision a society which provides full and accurate information about sexuality and reproductive health with a full range of reproductive health services accessible to all women and men.
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights, NARAL Pro-Choice America, Planned Parenthood Federation of America.
Contact: Marina Brown, Rita Ross

Universal Health Care
Supports organizations actively working for universal health care, such as the Michigan Universal Health Care Access Network.
Contact: Don Pelz

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CROP/Hunger Walk
The annual Washtenaw County CROP Hunger Walk is coordinated by the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice and sponsored by the Church World Service CROP Walk. Held every October.
Contact: Dorothy Wilson, RE office

Food Buckets
Contact: Margie Teall

Delonis Center Evening Meal
Meals are served each evening at the Delonis Center, often to 100 or more guests.  Our church is responsible for providing at least 8 volunteers on the first Thursday of every month to prepare and serve dinner.  The Food Gatherers coordinates the evening meal.  Volunteers find this to be a very rewarding experience for a small investment of time.  Volunteers are needed for both cooking (3-5pm) and serving (5-7pm).  There will be someone to guide you through your work, so no experience is needed.  Please sign up at the Congregational Involvement Table or by contacting Paul Lalinsky.
Contact: Paul Lalinsky

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Amnesty International
Works at the local level with Amnesty International in behalf of imprisoned people in danger of torture. Sponsors a table at our Congregation the first Sunday of the month. Meets monthly.

Disarmament Working Group (part of ICPJ)
Working to reduce nuclear dangers by promoting understanding of the issues. Meets monthly.
Contact: Dick Brown

Gun Control
Associated with the Million Mom March coalition.
Contact: Margie Teall

Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice (ICPJ)
First UU works with this local group that sponsors events and works with local issues related to peace, non-violent training, racial justice. Provides links to local, national and international organizations with a similar mission. ICPJ sponsors CROP Walk, Latin American Task Force, Disarmament Working Group, Middle-East Task Force. See their web site for more information.

Contact: Louis Leedle

Jackson Social Welfare Fund (JSWF)
Income of endowment funds restricted to advocacy of the great principles of the First Amendment and the use of reason and understanding as the effective method of conflict resolution from local to international conflicts. JSWF supports ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union), ICPJ, UU-UNO, Triangle Foundation, Michigan Peaceworks, and other groups.  Click here for a list of the 2006 dispersements.  Click here to find out information on submitting a request for Jackson Social Welfare Committee funding.
Contact: Terry Madden

Latin American Task Force (part of ICPJ)
Works on issues of peace and justice in Latin America. One of its major activities is an effort to close the "School of Assassins."
Contact: Arlene Huff

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Amnesty International Interfaith Network
Works on a local level with Amnesty International on behalf of imprisoned people in danger of torture. Sponsors an information/action  table at First UU on the first Sunday of the month, meets monthly, organizes educational forums and action projects for adults and children.
Contact: Brandy Sinco

Equal Exchange Coffee
The purchase of Equal Exchange (Fair Trade) Coffee benefits third world coffee growers by guaranteeing them a set price for their coffee. For sale after church every Sunday.
Contact: Marion Hart

Partnership Church
An ongoing partnership with a Transylvanian Unitarian church in Romania to establish a respectful, active, long-term collaboration. Find out more information about our partnership and our upcoming group pilgrimage to Kézdivásárhely in July 2005.
Contact: Gretchen Jackson

Sanctuary
Since 1988 the UU Church has given continuous sanctuary to the Rodriguez family, refugees from El Salvador.
Contact: Marion Hart

Southeastern Michigan UU Social Justice Network
Serves an action and coordination function for the UU congregations of South Eastern Michigan.
Contact: Ellen Teller 327-9240 and Louis Leedle

Unitarian Universalist - United Nations Office
This is the official NGO, Non Governmental Organization, which represents the UUA in UN activities. See their web site for more information.
Contact: Dick Brown and Akin Oni-Orisan

United Nations, USA (Huron Valley Chapter)
Advocates and educates for a committed and constructive U.S. participation in the United Nations. Meets monthly. See their web site for more information.
Contact: Dick Brown

UNICEF
Mandated by the United Nations to advocate for the protection of children's rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. UUs support UNICEF by selling christmas cards, books and other items.
Contact: Pat Runyon

UU's for Justice in the Middle East
Activities to Increase awareness, provide information and promote active involvement on current issues in the Middle East.
Contact: Larry Cooper

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
The UUSC is the international service arm of the UU denomination. It acts as an independent non-sectarian organization working in the forefront of international human rights. See their web site for more information.
Contact: Meg Lynch