| Faith in Action Programs |
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Social justice is a spiritual discipline in UU congregations. You can put your faith into ACTION by volunteering to serve on programs described in this section. Please join with us to make a difference in our families, our community and our World!
Environmental ActionRenewable Energy Projects Poverty, Hunger & HomelessnessAlpha House - Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) Mindful Eating CoalitionMindful Eating Coalition Home Faith Without Borders ProgramsKhasi Hills Sponsor a Student Peace & International JusticeAnn Arbor UUs for Justice in the Middle East (AUUJME) Civil Liberties & Human RightsPrison MinistryPrison Books Environmental ActionRenewable Energy Project
Our wind and solar renewable energy installations are off and generating energy! A 2.5 Kilowatt wind turbine on a 90 foot monopole graces our property now. 48 solar panels are installed on the south facing roof of our building. A stand alone tracking solar array stands next to our parking lot. And a tiled Energy Plaza honors the many private contributors who made these energy installations possible. Please take time to read more and view photographs...
Poverty, Hunger & HomelessnessAlpha House - Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN)
IHN is a network of Ann Arbor congregations that houses up to six homeless families, mostly children, at Alpha House on Jackson Road. For one week at a time, about 3-4 times a year, 45 volunteers from our congregation bring food, diapers, and other necessities. We can stay overnight, cook and serve food, play with children and tutor them. Here UU's have many opportunities to teach our own children to help families less fortunate than themselves. To sign up, visit the Alpha House table during the social hour on Sundays prior to our hosting week, or contact Pat Herbst at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Delonis Center Evening MealDelonis Center in downtown Ann Arbor provides emergency shelter, meals and health services. Meals are served each evening at the Delonis Center, usually to 100 or more guests. Our congregation provides volunteers on the first Thursday of every month. Volunteers are needed for both cooking (3-5pm) and serving (5-7 pm). Sign up at the Congregational Involvement Table at social hour, or contact Paul Lalinsky: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 971-0013.
Habitat for Humanity Annual Build
Religious Action for Affordable Housing (RAAH)Our congregation is a member of an interfaith coalition, Religious Action for Affordable Housing (RAAH), made up of 20 local congregations and 18 non-profit organizations serving low income families and individuals. Its purpose is to promote affordable housing preservation and development in Washtenaw County by mobilizing the human and financial resources of our religious community. To do this RAAH works to educate congregations, advocates for policy at local and State governmental levels, raises funds and promotes awareness of the serious housing needs present in Washtenaw County. For information, contact Kate Warner: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 734-662-1820 or Lise Anderson: (734) 998-0849. Food BucketsCanned and dried food collection buckets can always be found in the hallway between the front door and the Fahs chapel. Donations are divided among several hunger programs in the Ann Arbor- Ypsilanti area. Contact: Margie Teall, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Mindful Eating CoalitionCROP/Hunger Walk
Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Good Food Garden - Faith and Food
Contact: Delphine DeCaen, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
LocavoresSince October 2007, the Locavores have been enthusiastically encouraging UUAA congregants to consider how the food we buy and eat affects our planet's resources and climate. We especially support and promote local, sustainable agriculture. We have sponsored potlucks, workshops on preserving food and building gardens, berry picking, produce exchanges, use of local food at other church events, served samples of local products at the coffee hour on the first Sunday of each month, and provided resources such as lists of local farmers' markets, CSAs and recipes. Please click here to read our Mission, check out our resource lists and recipes, and more. For further information or to join us, contact Guala Lauzzana at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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First UU AA has been a major supporter of the annual interfaith Washtenaw County CROP Hunger Walk for over 35 years. The CROP Walk is coordinated locally by the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice and sponsored by the Church World Service CROP Walk. Every October a good team of members of our congregation join with others in the community to walk to raise money to address hunger locally and internationally.
The Good Food Garden on the UUAA grounds contributes to the local food security, by donating produce to Food Gatherers. We "Plant a Row for the Hungry" in conjunction with the Ypsilanti non-profit Growing Hope.
| AUUJME Book List |
We provide a variety of opportunities for anyone who wants to contribute toward peace with justice to get involved and make a difference. To learn more attend one of our regular meetings, normally the second Sunday of each month between services or after the single service. Contact: George Garcia, 734-995-0594, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice
The Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice, (ICPJ) is a community based interfaith organization whose mission is to empower people of faith and of conscience to act on their religious or moral values to build a better world. Our congregation works with ICPJ on local issues related to peace, nonviolent training, racial justice, and others. Meeting times of five task forces are listed on their website www.icpj.net; to confirm, call 734-663-1870.
- Disarmament focuses on nuclear disarmament and international arms control. This group usually mets on 1st and 3rd Fridays at 11:45AM at Memorial Christian Church. Contact: 734-663-1870.
- Globalization supports people-centered alternative to corporate globalization. Contact: 734-663-1870.
- Hunger organizes the CROP Hunger Walk and other education and advocacy events to address hunger locally and around the world. Contact: 734-663-1870.
- Latin America educates on justice issues affecting Latin America (sweatshops, drug wars, etc.) and opposes U.S. militarism in Latin America, especially works to close the U.S. School of America/WHINSEC a military training facility; meets 2nd Tuesday at 7:30pm at First Baptist Church. UUAA Contact: Arlene Huff, 769-2172.
- Racial & Economic Justice explores ways to confront racism and promote justice for the poor in our community. Contact: 734-663-1870.
ICPJ also has volunteer service opportunities for phoning, database entry, mailings, etc.; for information call the ICPJ
Civil Liberties & Human Rights
Interweave
Our Interweave Group has the following mission: "We are a spiritual home to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people, their families and allies to nurture social connections; educate ourselves and others; and advocate for social justice. Interweave provides a welcoming presence and gathering place for LGBTQ people, their families and allies." All are welcome. For more information contact Joan Burleigh,
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Congressman John Conyers Jr., holding a SSL T-shirt, shares the spotlight with two couples from UUAA at Michigan UU Social Justice Network's Standing on the Side of Love conference.
Reproductive Rights
We envision a society with full information about sexuality and reproductive health and a full range of reproductive health services accessible to all women and men. We meet monthly at the First Unitarian Universalist Church on the 2nd Thursday at 4:30PM. We cooperate with MI Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Planned Parenthood Mid-Michigan Alliance, and MARAL Pro-Choice Michigan. Contact: Marina Brown, 663-6431, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Prison Ministry
Prison Books
PRISON Ministry: PRISON BOOKS
UUAA continues an active participation in a small group Ministry to collect and distribute used books to State/County Correctional Facilities. We accept (undamaged) books for redistribution to our confined readers in several key facilities.
Started in 2006, the PRISON BOOKS group has increased our Congregation's donations from about 500 in 2006 to 1100 in 2007....and 4600 for 2008. The target for 2009 is 6000 delivered books. The UU group has "connected" with the Huron Valley State Prison Facilities, Coldwater State Facilities, Maxey State Facilities, Jackson State Facilities, and Washtenaw County Jail and Youth Home facilities.
Here are some ways to "get involved":
1) Volunteer to join the GROUP .We can use additional packers/deliverers. Participation generally involves group meetings approximately bi-monthly to sort/pack and deliver books...let us know your interest and we will keep you informed.
2) Volunteer to donate BOOKS. We can always use books. Books can be brought to UUAA and dropped off or we can make arrangements to pick them up at your residence.
3) Contact our Coordinator. We always want to hear from interested UU's so we can either explain our Program or listen to new ideas for growth/improvement...we welcome your interest!
Contact: Jim Gallas at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Michigan Prison Reentry Initiative (MPRI)
This is a Washtenaw County community service support and advocacy network for returning prisoners including assistance in housing and employment. Volunteer drivers and mentors are needed. Training will be provided. The Community Coordinating Committee meets on 1st Monday, 5:30PM at King of Kings Lutheran Church. Community Coordinator: Mary King, 734-327-9717. UUAA contact: Kate Warner: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 734-662-1820.