Social Mission is an important part of the work of our congregation. We are led in this work by our Social Mission Working Group. Co Chairs - Judy Gaietto-Grace and Rich Pokorny - socialmission
unitytemple.org
Invitation to Action
Crop Walk 2008
WE walk for: pleasure, fitness, health, to go from place to place. MILLIONS all over the world, mostly women & children who live in tiny villages, walk many miles for SURVIVAL: to fetch water, to fetch firewood, to find medical help, to flee terror, to get food, to fields & jobs, to school. On May 4, 2008 many of us will walk by choice in solidarity with people who walk for survival. Join them by walking in the 25th local CROP Hunger Walk. Or be a sponsor to someone who walks. Our Walk this year will be a celebration of our 25th anniversary year. In the past 24 years our local communities have collected more than $800,000 toward eliminating world hunger. $200,000 was given directly to local agencies that work to alleviate hunger & poverty. Contact: Mike DeLonay, 708/795-1588, mikedelonay@comcast.net, or Colleen Keleher, 708/445-0509, colkeleher@sbcglobal.net for more info about the CROP Walk and find out about how to walk or support walkers. Watch for us at the Social Mission Table during coffee hours on Sundays in April. You can learn also learn more about the CROP walk at www.oakparkhungercropwalk.org.
Knitting for Peace
The Knitting for Peace group was formed at the Women's Retreat in February of 2007 and we are looking for new members. All levels of needle crafter expertise are welcome. If you have never picked up a knitting needle or a crochet hook before or you can knit at the movies. The group meets on the second and fourth Saturday of the month at Sarah Muller's apartment. If you are interested please call Sarah at 708/267-9117.
Disability Action Team
The Disability Action Team, working under the auspices of the Social Mission Committee, seeks
additional members to assist with improving accessibility to the sanctuary and upper balconies
for persons with mobility impairments. Our work will initially consist primarily of raising additional
funds for a wheelchair lift and handrails, in support of the work that the Buildings and Grounds Committee has done. The Team will also assess other areas that need improving, i.e. additional hearing devices, a more accessible web page, etc. Interested individuals may contact Kathy Clark at kathsid@ameritech.net or
708/209-1256
Choices for Young People - MAKING THE CONNECTION
The American Friends Service Committee Booklet
A resource for young people exploring peaceful possibilities for their future
The American Friends Service Committee recently produced two booklets containing resources for young people to use in choosing career paths. Our Social Mission Committee is working with the American Friends and other peace groups to distribute these booklets to schools and libraries. Can you contribute money to this project, contact school or library leaders, or purchase a booklet for someone you know? The Iraq War continues, pulling in disproportionate numbers of recruits from working class and minority groups. Please help young people choose responsibly. The Social Mission Committee will match all donations to a total of $500. Come to the Social Mission table to find out more.
Walk-in Ministry Needs Your Help!
The Walk-In Ministry has several urgent needs. Volunteers are needed in several areas: to work with clients; to work with the community with the director responsible for community outreach; to work with the community with the director responsible for Membership/Partnerships; and data entry assistance. Please contact Brenda Matson Director of volunteers and training at brendajm@comcast.net if you are able to volunteer. The Walk-In Ministry also needs donations of winter coats, deodorant. The items may be left in the shopping cart in the foyer on Sunday morning and should be labeled “Walk-in Ministry” Thank you!
Sustainably-Raised Meat from TAQWA Eco-Foods Collective
If you pledged to buy more organic and locally-raised produce last year, here's a great way to honor that pledge: buy your meats from TAQWA. TAQWA is a consumer cooperative offering sustainably- and humanely-raised meats. It was started by Faith in Place and is on its way to becoming independent. You can order online at http://taqwaecofood.org and they will deliver to Unity Temple. It's an easy, honor-system process and the meats are delicious. If you have questions, talk to Ana Levy-Lyons or contact Zainab Khan at TAQWA at (312) 733-4640.
Remember the Food Pantry!
Remember donations for the Food Pantry each Sunday. Our shopping cart sits in the foyer each Sunday,
waiting for your donations to the Oak Park/River Forest Food Pantry, which is housed across the street at
First United Church. Our congregation has been doing a great job of donating, so that we have been able to
deliver a full cart almost every week. Canned meat meals, canned fruit and fruit juice, diapers and paper products (toilet tissue), sugar, ground coffee, pasta and pasta sauce are currently in heavy demand. The pantry is currently serving over 100 patrons a week, most of whom live in Oak Park.
Our congrgation's bylaws allow us to propose three social mission projects for special focus during the year. The Social Mission Committee will present three projects for the congregation’s approval at our Annual Meeting in June.
Social Mission Projects for the Coming Year –
At our Annual Meeting, the congregation approved three projects for the coming year. Join us by participating in one of these.
Peace and Conflict Resolution - coordinator - Rich Pokorny
To facilitate opportunities such as - peace rallies and support of local peace groups, contacting elected representatives in support of peace issues, non-violent communication, inner disarmament, participating in UUA activities such as statements of conscience, supporting the groups seeking to close the School of the Americas, working with groups to end domestic violence such as Sarah's Inn.
Health and Disability – coordinator - Kathy Clark
To facilitate opportunities such as – promoting health care justice and equity, Campaign for Better Health Care and accessibility issues.
Economic Equity – coordinator – open
To facilitate opportunities such as – PADS, Fair Trade, Ten Thousand Villages, workers rights/just wages, CROP Walk, fair housing, Working Bikes.
We will continue to support Faith In Place, the ministry of our Community Minister, Clare Butterfield. This ministry includes environmental justice, Green Sanctuary and sustainable living.
These three special projects do not limit us from participating in the many other social mission opportunities that need our help. We encourage you to participate in any way you are able.
