UUFCC Social Action

News and Current Events UUFCC Social Action Meeting Sunday, January 10 11:30, Rm 3 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).    Public Forum on Healthcare Reform   Write letters regarding cloth vs plastic bags

The social action committee’s main responsibilities are to work together to monitor the needs of local social service organizations and social justice issues. The UUFCC Social Action umbrella covers a number of worthy causes that have been embraced by the Fellowship as a whole or by individual members who have brought their activities to the attention of us all with the implicit sense that UU principles underlie their efforts. It is with this in mind that some of the activities are listed below. 

On the first Sunday of each month a special collection is taken for a specific social service agency.  The committee has approved a plan for selecting recipients of the First Sunday Collection.   Presented to the congregational meeting Nov 16, the plan allows for recommendations for recipients of the First Sunday Collection to be submitted to the social action committee chair by the end of March, 2009. In April the committee will choose 12 possible recipients.  In May, when the congregation meets, a vote will be taken to reduce the number to 6 organizations which will receive the  First Sunday Collection for the following six months.  This process will be repeated in the fall. 

The committee also plans to ask the congregation to identify which of a large number of social justice issues should be our top priorities for 2009.   At the December 7^th Social Action Sunday service, members will be invited to vote for the two issues they think are most important.  An effort will also be made to identify the social action/ social justice organizations with which members are affiliated so that other fellowship members may be able to contact them if they are interested in that work.

The committee meets on the second Sunday of each month at 11:30.  Visitors are most welcome! 

The generosity of the UUFCC in support of charitable organizations through the First Sunday Collection has reached an unprecedented level.  For the past six months of 2008, the average collection on First Sunday has been $1,125.00.  The average for the year approached $1000.  We have supported the following organizations in the past 11 months:

Fuel Bank ofCentre County

Greensboro Justice Fund

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

Pottstown UU for repair of fire damage

Planned Parenthood

Torture Awareness

Doctors Without Borders

Greater New Orleans UU

Silent Witness PA

Centre Volunteers in Medicine

UNICEF

Park Forest Nursery

The Social Action Committee is now accepting suggestions for recipients in 2009.  Please contact Judy Andronici  with your preferences. (judyandronici at verizon.net) 

The committee is presently conducting a survey to identify which of many social justice issues identified by UUA are most important to our members.

Each fellowship member is encouraged to vote for two from this list during the month of December.  The results of this survey will be used to guide the Social Action Committee in their work during the following year. 

Fellowship members are involved in a wide range of social justice organizations as individuals.  A list of the social justice/action organizations to which members dedicate their time as volunteers is also being compiled to provide a resource for other members.

Action Group on Children’s Issues

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

Nancy Davis

• "A Book for Every Child, A Gift for All Seasons" is the premier children's literacy program of central PA,  sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Centre Co.
• partially supported by Barnes & Noble Book Fair and community donations 
• Children and parents CHOOSE the quality, new book(s) of greatest interest to them.
• This is our 12th year of providing books for children of families served by Centre Co. Food Banks.
• The Food Bank Holiday Distribution Program includes, food baskets, Toys for Tots and A Book For Ever Child  
• Children from Centre Co. shelters and Social Service programs also receive books.
• Foster children submit lists of requested books and we give them as many of their asked for titles as possible
• Over 4,000 books are provided to children (ages infant through 16 yrs) each year throughout Centre Co.
• Young children who are READ TO by parents become better readers and students.
• Children who OWN books read more and at higher levels.
• Children who SELECT their own books are more excited about reading
• Centre Co school teachers have noticed the positive impact on children who receive books from A Book For Every Child.
• Once the reading habit is established, children make more use of lending libraries and progress better in school. 
• We will be collecting donated NEW, quality children's books until mid December.  Dec 15 is latest we can accept books for this year's Food Bank Holiday Distribution.  Books delivered after that date will be used and appreciated by other needy children.
• Please deliver books or financial donations to:  UUFCC  780 Waupelani Dr Ext. State College PA 16801 [Office is open M-F 8-2:00] or call 237-7605 or 237-4049 to arrange other drop off times. 

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 inAmerica. 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 amongCentre 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 allCentre 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

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 ofState College. InterfaithMission was instrumental in forming the Food Bank ofState 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 from8:30 a.m. to3:30 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” onZion 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.

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.