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 | The Social Action programs at FUSP work to locally address global issues of social justice. Through our outreach, educational and public advocacy projects, we seek to build community, empower citizens politically and within the legal system, alleviate hunger and homelessness, end racism, support public education and public health, and protect the environment.
To Get Involved: Contact Heather Brown, Social Justice Chair, at heathbrown@aol.com
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HomeFirst NEEDS YOU - August 16-23
FUSP is again partnering with HomeFirst to house up to 14 temporarily homeless guests from August 16 - 23. HomeFirst provides support and housing so families can move out of homelessness.
We had a great time doing this congregation-wide intergenerational project in March. Our guests are housed in the RE Wing, and use the parish hall, kitchen, restrooms, and other common spaces. We thank the congregation for generously sharing their space to make the housing possible.
Volunteers are needed to: shop, cook, sleep over, play and more.
Training and support is provided for all volunteers. Watch your email for training and meeting dates. On Sunday, 13 July and Sunday 10 August our second collections will support the housing effort.
To help, contact Melissa Logan at mlogan28@optonline.net or Karen Hawkins at KLavroff@yahoo.com. We welcome adult and youth helpers before, during and after the housing dates.
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RACIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE REACHING OUT TO OUR COMMUNITY
The Racial Justice Committee, having completed the UUA seminars on race and ethnicity, "Building the World We Dream About", is now exploring how best to apply its anti-racism/multicultural learnings in Plainfield and surrounding communities. During the course of the seminars, we met with members of the Plainfield community and visited various neighborhoods. It is now time for action! Among the potential areas we are examining are:
• To operate a monthly soup kitchen in cooperation with other churches.
• To sponsor a forum bringing together members of the African-American and Latino communities, law enforcement, local and state officials, community organizations, churches and residents to address inter-ethnic violence in Plainfield.
• To build social and social justice networks with our resident Latino community, Mission Torre Fuerte.
• To further develop our relationship with El Centro Hispanoamericano and support their immigration work.
One will be chosen. We are already cooperating with "Angels in Action", a Plainfield group working for justice and equality for oppressed, poor, and victimized people, in teaching ESL and plan to expand our relationship.
If you are of like mind, you are invited to join us in pursuing our First UU Principle, "to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person."
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Food Pantry Update
Our food pantry continues to experience a higher than usual volume of clients. In these tough economic times more families are finding it difficult to feed themselves. Please remember to pick up an extra item or two each time you go shopping and place it in the large basket for the food pantry in the vestible as you enter the church. We also accept monetary donations which can be placed in the plate during the offertory with "food pantry" in the memo line. The food pantry is entirely funded through the donations of our members and is now serving over thirty families once a month. Please do not place clothing in the donation basket. We do not have room to store it, and it creates extra work for us to take donated clothing to an appropriate location. We suggest you donate your used clothing to Goodwill or another local charity that is set up to accept clothing. Thank you for the coupons. They make a big difference. Please keep them coming too.
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Social Justice and Outreach Committee Meeting
There will be a meeting of the Social Justice and Outreach Committee, including all sub-committees (Food Pantry, Holiday Dinners, Racial Justice, Welcoming Congregtion, Homefirst, and UUSC), on Sunday, June 14 at 11:30. Food will be served and childcare will be available. We will be discussing organization for the upcoming church year including our meeting schedule, who will be serving as the heads of the sub-committees, and updating our website page. If you participate in the work of this committee and cannot attend please contact Heather Brown, heathbrown@aol.com. All who are interested in the social justice work of this congregation are welcome to attend this meeting.
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