Want to become involved in Social Justice? Check out what we are doing at UUFN

This information is being updated. Please check back soon!

• Originate the Question/Need
Members of the fellowship will identify an issue that they would like to consider bringing to the fellowship. It is likely that the group should consist of at least three individuals, and that they plan to grow to ten or more members during the process. This working group will approach the UUFN SJSC (Social Justice Steering Committee) to learn the process, and prepare for and approach the board to request that they form a task force. Upon the board’s approval, the task force can be created.

• Identify and Research the Issue
Members of the task force would examine the issue, collecting facts and myths. In the immediate case of discrimination based on sexual orientation, this task force may be able to obtain much of this information from the Welcoming Congregation committee.

• Share/Educate
The task force would engages interested members of the congregation in open information meetings and workshops. Where practical, the task force will work with existing groups/committees (RE, Worship, …). These forums meetings are critically structured to be two-way interactive dialogues,compiling best thinking not asrather than lectures. This provides the task force with information as to the spectrum of feelings towards the issue amongst our congregation. The information topic and content of these meetings would be obtained from the first step.based on the results of step #1.

• Consider/Decide
The Task Force will work with the UUFN SJSC to ‘wordsmith’ the formal proposal, which the Task Force will present to the Board. The Board will be asked to schedule it for a vote at the next congregational meeting. It is desired, but not required, that the Board vote to formally support the proposal. At a congregational meeting, the congregation will consider whether to, or not to , adopt an official stance position, statements, and/or action on the issue in question. A vote by 75% or more of present, voting members at a duly called/convened congregational meeting in favor is required for the fellowship to adopt such a position, statement and/or action.

• Act/Follow-Through
Here the task force can manage and facilitate opportunities to share the UUFN’s stand on the issue with the public, including newspapersmedia, and elected officials. These opportunities could have been raised in the first two steps of this process. If the proposal is not accepted by 75% or more of the congregation, task force members and others are welcome to work individually or in groups to further the cause.

• Exit Hatch
At any point in this process the Task Force may determine that they wish to cease their efforts. This could be due to a changing external environment, too limited support within the congregation as observed during public meetings or private conversations, or simply reduced energy of Task Force members. When the Task Force decides to disband, they shall notify the UUFN SJSC and the board. While in place, the Task Force should notify the UUFN SJSC (and indirectly the board) at least annually on their progress and plans.

If you are interested in volunteering for one of the four meals that we serve (coverage is needed from 9:00 am to 2:00 PM but you won't need to be there for the entire time) please contact Doris Billingsley at 302-731-1047.

If you are interested in ongoing involvement with the Hope dining room please contact our coordinator, Liz Carlisle carlisle@dca.net.

UUFN helps out primarily by offering groceries and some toiletries to Emmaus House. If you would like to donate items to Emmaus House there is a basket located in the entrance way of the main building at UUFN.

Many UU members have mentored in the program and are always welcome. Senior citizens, business people, parents of West Park students, students and staff from U of Delaware, including students involved with AmericaReads and AmeriCorps, are presently involved with the program.

If there are UU members or friends that are interested in mentoring and would like more information, they may call Anne Feurer at school: 454-2290 x31054, or at home: 610-255-5124.