UUFCC Social Action

News and Current Events UUFCC Social Action Meeting Sunday, May 11 12:30, Sanctuary   Write letters regarding cloth vs plastic bags   Stand For Peace Vigils Corner of College and Allen Sts Wed. at 5:30 - 6:30 pm and Sat. at 1:30 - 2:30 (silent vigil). Contact your elected officials

The SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE meets on the second Sunday in each month at noon during the school year, but usually meets once in July during the summer. Our main responsibilities are to work together to monitor the needs of local social service organizations and social justice issues. We choose the speaker for a Social Action Moment in a Sunday Service once per month. That speaker explains the needs of a specific social service agency other social justice need and the non-pledge plate collection on the first Sunday of the month goes to the designated agency. In recent months we have participated in marches and vigils to stop the war in Iraq. We also maintain a work team to respond to a social service need, such as cleaning, painting, and other upkeep on buildings where social services are delivered. We also help with construction of houses for Habitat for Humanity. We are working to create an environmental group who will work to make our building and grounds more environmentally sustainable. If you want to help, come to a meeting or contact Jan Perison, Joan Creager or  jJane Richey .

*A BOOK FOR EVERY CHILD: A GIFT FOR ALL SEASONS

Dagmar Wilson, Jen Loveland-Curtze

"A Book for Every Child, A Gift for All Seasons" is in its tenth year of providing the choice of a new book to each child up to age 16 served by the seven Centre County food banks. This community literacy outreach project sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship distributed more than 4,000 books in 2005.

The Vicary Foundation of Erie, with an annually renewed grant of $2,000, has enabled the establishment a children's libraries at The Women's Resource Center, The Burrowes Street Youth Haven, Park Forest Day Nursery, Stormbreak, Zerby Gap Family Works and Stepping Stones Transitional Living. The youth served by these agencies and by Centre County Children and Youth are able, once a year, to request a book by title to keep as a personal gift.

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF CENTRE COUNTY
Centre County Youth Service Bureau, 410 South Fraser Street, State College, PA 16801
 237-5731 or 237-2224 ~ ask for Denise McCann or Kristen Hazlett

Founded in 1904, Big Brothers Big Sisters is the oldest and largest youth mentoring organization in America. The “Littles” are youths aged 5 through 18 and have been identified as being “at risk” by their parents, schools, agencies, police, or the courts. Being a “Big” is something anyone can do—the only requirements are a willingness to be a friend, to have fun, and to commit to a one-year relationship (or 9-month if you are a student). You will be given training and have a caseworker available as a resource. You are asked to get together two to four times each month to provide one-on-one time and attention. You will do everyday activities like seeing a movie, cooking, taking a walk, or simply hanging out. At the Fellowship, talk with Nancy Records, a Big Sister for about 10 years, if you have questions.
 
SMART START

Smart Start is an organizational collaboration among Centre County United Way, Child Development and Family Council of Centre County Inc., and Centre County Community Foundation. Its central purpose is to organize business and organizational leaders, educators, service providers, parents, and community members dedicated to ensuring that all Centre County children begin school ready to learn. "Ready to learn" means promoting their growth, learning, and social interactions,emotional development, and communication skills. The Smart Start network acts as an advocate for early childhood issues, a clearing house for sharing information, a support vehicle for existing and new projects, and a "search engine" for funding oportunities.

Action Group on Dignity and the End of Life

*MEMORIAL GARDEN
Art Goldschmidt
A small task force is planning a memorial garden on Fellowship property, probably near the labyrinth, that will list the names of deceased members and perhaps become a sacred site where ashes can be interred. The site may include a bench where one can sit and meditate and shrubs, flowers, or other plantings. The group will meet to decide on its exact location, prepare a plan, find money to build it, and help maintain it after installation and dedication. The group is also collecting information about existing memorials on UUFCC property, especially plantings, and compiling a written register of this information. Suggestions and volunteers welcome.

LAST RIGHTS OF CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA (formerly, MEMORIAL SOCIETY)
Joan Creager , president
Last Rights uses education and advocacy to help individuals and families find simple, dignified alternatives to expensive funerals and to avoid emotional confusion associated with making funeral arrangements. See its own website www.lastrights.info for prices of simple funerals, memorial services, and cremations from local mortuaries and advice about dignified alternatives.  The UUFCC supports Last Rights by providing office services and meeting space. Last Rights holds it annual meeting at the UUFCC in late April.

*Action Group on the Environment

Andy Lau
The Action Group on the Environment needs enthusiastic volunteers to continue the work of fulfilling our goal of becoming and maintaining a Green Sanctuary . This designation is awarded to UU churches by the UUA Seventh Generation Project. Activities that this group has sponsored in the past include field trips to the State College Joint Water Authority, a Somerset County wind farm, State College visitors’ center green building, a living filter water treatment center, and the recycling center. Activities have also included sponsoring crews to help with watershed clean up and Mid-State Trail maintenance, as well as planting a butterfly garden on Fellowship property. This Action Group needs dedicated, passionate members and a new chair to remain vital.

 Action Group on Human Needs

*INTERFAITH MISSION
Sue Smith
Melissa Alvarez

Helen Dempsey

Interfaith Mission began in 1969 as a coalition of 6 congregations dedicated to helping people in need with more than food and money. Now 30 congregations are involved in this important local assistance organization, which is located in a carriage house leased in perpetuity from the University Baptist and Brethren Church of State College. Interfaith Mission was instrumental in forming the Food Bank of State College, and the organization gives yearly support to Park Forest Day Nursery, the Counseling Ministry, and the Centre County Branch of PA Prison Society. At monthly meetings, the board of directors also receives reports from Housing Transitions, Tri-County Habitat for Humanity, SOS Loan Program, and State College Land Trust. The UUFCC is a strong supporter of Interfaith Mission and volunteers traditionally help with Interfaith Mission’s holiday season wishing well bell-ringing fundraiser—14 people will be needed in late November or early December for one-hour shifts of bell ringing.

*CENTRE VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE
Pat Newnham
Centre Volunteers in Medicine provides essential medical care to low-income County residents who otherwise could not afford lab tests or medicines. The organization was selected at the May 2004 UUFCC annual meeting by formal vote to receive a portion of the proceeds raised at the annual Fellowship yard sale.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Ken Riznyk
The local Habitat for Humanity community is currently building several houses in the Milheim Area. Work is on Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. See the website for more information and to sign up as a volunteer.  Habitat is also seeking volunteers to help staff the office—answering phones, opening mail, making copies.  Habitat has opened a “ReStore” on Zion Road in Bellefonte, which accepts donated materials from folks who are remodeling their homes and sells used materials to others.

 Action Group on Human Rights, Peace, and Justice

*UUFCC FREEDOM SEDER SOCIAL JUSTICE PROJECT
LAURA BROWN
Each year, as spring returns, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County holds its annual Freedom Seder.  We gather to celebrate a joyful holiday – Passover.  By remembering a time of slavery and liberation, we honor all people who struggle against tyranny.  We recommit ourselves to the ongoing and difficult work of emancipation.

In community with elders and youth, linking the past, the present, and the future, we heed an ancient call to remember the release of the Jews from bondage in Egypt.  At this celebration, we try to think of ourselves as if we personally were liberated from slavery in Egypt.

Every culture and country has known cruel oppression of its people.  And so we challenge ourselves to make our own ancestral links to times of oppression and the struggle for survival.

The Passover meal is more than food for our bodies; it is food for our souls, food for thought

Why would a non-Jewish congregation adapt and celebrate this traditional Jewish observance?  For one thing, the Living Tradition of Unitarian Universalism recognizes many sources, including Jewish and Christian teachings that call us to respond to God’s love by loving our neighbors as ourselves.  Also, several members of our congregation have both past and present ties with their own Jewish heritage.

Furthermore, the celebration of freedom and the struggle against oppression cuts across all national, cultural, and religious boundaries.  The values embraced in the Seder celebration are an integral part of our own religious tradition.  Among the basic principles of Unitarian Universalism are recognition of the inherent worth and dignity of every person; a call for justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.

A distinctive feature of UUFCC’s Seder celebration is the inclusion, each year, of a specific social justice project to address some aspect of injustice still alive in our world.  Sometimes the project is aimed at a global issue, such as modern-day slavery. Sometimes the focus is a local issue, such as affordable housing in our own region.  Sometimes the focus is on a particular age group, as in working for the rights of children around the world to education, health care, and economic security.  Social Justice Project History

As long as injustice and oppression in any form continue in our community or in the world, we will continue to gather in body and spirit, seeking ways to hasten the liberation of our sisters and brothers – our neighbors.

The UUFCC’s Freedom Seder includes a potluck meal and is open to the entire community and to people of all ages. Reservations are not required.  Please bring a dish to share (other than bread or dessert) and plan to arrive at 5:30 p.m. to greet friends, find a seat, and prepare you Seder plate.  The Seder begins at 6.

*UU SERVICE COMMITTEE
Mary Alice Graetzer

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) describes itself as the UU voice for human rights and social justice.  It tries to put UU values into action by working against injustice and oppression in the U. S. and abroad.  Special concerns are economic and environmental justice, civil liberties, and rights in humanitarian crises.  Many UUSC programs aim to help women and minority groups who are often underserved during disasters, such as the Pakistan earthquake, the SE Asian tsunami, Darfur, and Katrina recovery efforts.  

        UUSC volunteers bring issues to the attention of our congregation.  The annual sale of UUSC holiday cards and the Guest at Your Table program raise funds to support UUSC programs.  UU's are encouraged to help support UUSC, if possible at membership levels ($40 general, $20 seniors and students).  Please check the UUSC website, for more information on current issues.  

*INTERWEAVE
John Chubb
As a Welcoming congregation, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre County has organized a local chapter of INTERWEAVE.

INTERWEAVE is a UU-affiliated group supporting lesbians, gays, transgendered, and allies. Anyone from Central PA can find comfort and laughter in this non-religious group.
INTERWEAVE meets on the second Saturday each month for food and fellowshipping at the UUFCC. Potlucks begin at 6 p.m. followed by entertainment and/or discussion at 7 p.m.  

*GAIN ~ GAY-AFFIRMING INTERFAITH NETWORK
Jane Richey
GAIN is a coalition of representatives from local churches with public statements welcoming lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgenders (LGBTs). The network includes the Friends Meeting of State College, University Baptist and Brethren Church, St. Andrews Episcopal (State College), St. Johns Episcopal (Bellefonte), and the UUFCC. The goals of GAIN are to provide support for faith communities working to understand, accept, and support LGBTs, and to help LGBTs find comfortable spiritual homes. GAIN needs volunteers to help host events, such as workshops or talks, to serve as a UU representative to GAIN (particularly if you represent Interweave) which meets approximately once a month, and to brainstorm great ideas about how to encourage other churches to work on issues of GLBT acceptance.