SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE MISSION:
The Social Justice Committee’s mission is to encourage our Congregation and friends to apply the UU Principles and shared values in the larger community through direct service, advocacy for systemic change, and strategic distribution of our resources. We will cooperate and collaborate with other social justice organizations, both faith-based and secular, to promote peace, democracy, and social justice.
The UU Seven Principles: We covenant to affirm and promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
- Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation.
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
We annually support local, state, and national justice activities including:
- Special Collections for 9 months, September-May, taken during Sunday Services and donated to non-profits doing justice work.
- Participation in local events such as the annual Pride Alliance and Labor Day parades, MLK, Jr. march, and other parades and rallies.
- Working with local groups such as the
- UU/Community Anti-Mass Incarceration Team,
- CeaseFIrePA, common sense gun laws
- Erie County United , a grass roots community justice organization
- The local chapter of the NAACP
- The Erie Racial Justice Policy Initiative
We created special Justice Events such as the:
- Environmental Forum on Lake Erie Water featuring representatives from PennFuture , Erie County Conservation District , and Pennsylvania Sea Grant.
- UUErie resolution in support of PA lawsuit for equitable school funding in conjunction with Education Voters of PA.
- Theme-related Sunday services like:
- NWPA Pride Alliance to improve the visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community in Erie
- Erie Blue Coats on Support to Erie Students and the Community.
- EriWe and Equity Coalition of Erie on Getting to Equity and Justice.
- And Many Others.
