| 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 Action
Locavores Poverty, Hunger & HomelessnessAlpha House - Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) 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 ActionLocavores
Since 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 .
Renewable Energy ProjectThe Energy Committee, on behalf of supporting donors, is submitting a proposal to develop a renewable energy installation on the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Ann Arbor property. The plan considers multiple phases, which you can read about in full here.
Poverty, Hunger & Homelessness
Alpha 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. IHN Board President is UU Don Anderson. To sign up, visit the Alpha House table during the social hour on Sundays prior to our hosting week, or contact Paul Christensen 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.
Ethical Eating Team (EET)
Go to our web page for much more, including links to some facinating articles on food ethics. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Habitat for Humanity Annual Build
CROP/Hunger Walk
Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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 . 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 . Peace & International JusticeAnn Arbor UUs for Justice in the Middle East (AUUJME)
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: Larry or Diane Cooper, 420-4679, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Khasi Hills
For more information, visit: http://homepages.utoledo.edu/mkinney/khasi/index.htm Partner Church in Romania
The Unitarian Church of Kézdivásárhely, Romania (Transylvania) is a partner church for UUAA. Our partnership is part of the Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council program. Transylvania was the birthplace of Unitarianism in 1565 and the Unitarian Church has persevered through centuries of hardships. Our congregation participates in exchanges with their minister the Rev Maria Pap. We provide support to their congregation when needed. Burundi Unitarian Church Outreach
In March 2010 we extended the hand of fellowship to the 6 year old Unitarian Church of Burundi. Church and State are so meshed in Burundi that it is illegal to practice a religion other than Roman Catholicism unless the Church can provide its own building. We sent $1,000 from the Minister's Discretionary Fund to be matched by a grant administered by the People's Unitarian Universalist Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. To quote the Burundi Church President, Fulgence Ndagijimana, we are "helping to keep the light of liberal faith alive and growing in Burundi and on the African continent." Interfaith Council for Peace and JusticeThe 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.
ICPJ also has volunteer service opportunities for phoning, database entry, mailings, etc.; for information call the ICPJ number 734-663-1870.
Our congregation has been a part of the UUSC Coffee Project since 2001, begun by Marion Hart. This project allows our congregation to enjoy delicious organic coffee, tea and chocolate while helping small- scale farmers in Latin America, Africa, Asia and the U.S. as they build a better future for themselves and their families.
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| Last Updated on Monday, 23 August 2010 08:01 |
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The Ethical Eating Team, or E.E.T, is a forum for UUAA congregants to study and explore the many facets of ethical eating, and to contribute to the dialogue regarding the 
First UU AAhas 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.
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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PRISON Ministry: PRISON BOOKS