Social Justice
Background
Social Justice is an important part of our church and our history. We participate in many events throughout the year where you can be of service.
One of the great ways to start is to attend the Social Justice Committee meeting. Also, you can check our calendar for any upcoming opportunities.
The Social Justice Committee (SJC) consists of at least five members elected at a congregational meeting. Members serve two-year terms and may be re-elected. Other persons may serve on the committee as non-voting members. The SJC keeps informed of events and issues of concern to religious liberals and encourages the study of such issues by church members. It informs the membership of needs and opportunities for social action and makes recommendations of ways and means to achieve effective action.
Currently, the committee is focused on economic justice, racial justice, and voting rights. The committee decides how to take action in these and other areas and how funds should be disbursed. Committee members also decide on speakers to invite to upcoming Saturday Afternoon Forum programs. Please contact the church office if you would like to attend the monthly Zoom meeting.
Support Our Unhoused Neighbors ~ sack lunch prep every Friday from 2-4pm - each week we'll prepare 48 lunches. You can help assemble lunches and/or bring food & drinks. Please use the SignUpGenius link below.
SJC 3rd Saturday Afternoon Forum, time varies - For more information please contact us at (657) 208-3606 or uuanaheim@gmail.com.
October 19, 12:30-3pm - "WEED GREED: Cannabis, Money, and Political Corruption in Anaheim" In May 2022, a major scandal erupted in Anaheim when it was revealed the Republican mayor was under investigation by the FBI for political corruption involving the sale of Angels stadium. But many people remain unaware that this scandal was part of a much larger one involving a Democratic Party operative's desire to profit from her political ties to change cannabis laws. Duane Roberts, Editor & Publisher of The Anaheim Investigator, a local news blog, will talk about what he has learned so far about this aspect of the scandal which is still under investigation. Doors open at 12:30pm; program begins at 1pm.
November 16, tbd - walking tour of local murals
December 21, time tbd - The Longest Night homeless memorial
Fundraiser for Ruth Shapin Memorial Fund
You can help raise funds for our ongoing social justice programs when you purchase books in the link below. In addition to 10% of the purchase price going to UUCA, bookshop.org will set aside an additional 10% that will be distributed to local, independent book sellers.
Disclosure: We are an affiliate of Bookshop.org where your purchases support local bookstores. We will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
SJC MEETING
4th Sunday of the month, 1:00pm
3rd SATURDAY AFTERNOON FORUM
10am to noon
SACK LUNCH PREP
Fridays at 2pm
Voting Rights
UU the Vote - UU the Vote is a non-partisan faith initiative to engage our neighbors, educate our communities, mobilize voters, and rally around key ballot initiatives. All through 2024 the UUA is supporting congregations and UU organizations in activating thousands of Unitarian Universalists to mobilize for electoral justice at the local, state and national levels. Want to do more? You could:
Pledge to register a new voter, and make sure they vote!
Help expand the electorate by volunteering at a citizenship fair.
Remember to vote in every election! Every registered Orange County voter will receive a mail in ballot, and no postage is necessary to return it by mail through USPS or drop it off in a ballot drop box location around Orange County. To learn more go to Orange County Registrar of Voters.
Reclaim Our Vote - GOTV postcard writing session on the 1st Saturday of the month (August 3 from 1-5pm, September 7 from 1-5pm, October 5 from 9am to 3pm). This activity is conducted in strict adherence to IRS guidelines for non-profit organizations. Our focus is purely on encouraging voter participation and civic engagement, without endorsing any specific candidates or political parties.
Power the Polls by becoming a poll worker!
Racial Justice
Support for the Black Lives Matter Movement
On July 19, 2020, the UUCA Board and Social Justice Committee issued the following statement of solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement:
"We, the members of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Anaheim, in recognition of the long, pervasive history of racism against African-Americans and other People of Color in the U.S., wish to voice our support for the Black Lives Matter movement. We express our strong support for this movement by opposing police brutality, mass imprisonment of African-Americans, racial profiling, racial discrimination, economic injustices, voter restrictions, and other injustices which negatively impact the Black community. We vow to join the BLM struggle for justice and equality, and stand in solidarity with our African-American brothers and sisters."
Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of California
Immigrant Justice Action Team The Immigrant Justice Action Team (IJAT) provides leadership on immigration issues for the UU Justice Ministry of California. Comprised of volunteers from multiple congregations across California, the team works with UUJMCA’s staff and colleagues at our partner organizations to identify legislative, witness, and program priorities for the statewide UU Justice Ministry, including California UU congregations and individuals.
Economic Justice
Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is uniting tens of thousands of people across the country to challenge the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation and the nation’s distorted morality. Join the local Orange County meetings. Check their Facebook page for details.
United Way to End Homelessness's overall goal is to end homelessness in Orange County. Key to achieving this is implementing the recommendations laid out in the groundbreaking 2017 UCI Homelessness Cost study. Please sign their pledge to #EndHomelessnessOC.
We Support
We support several local organizations, including:
AIDS Services Foundation Orange County
CLUE (Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice)
OCCORD (Orange County Communities Organized for Responsible Development)