Social Justice Committee

About the Social Justice Committee

The Social Justice Committee seeks to be a central resource and conduit for social justice work expressed by the values, concerns, and interests of the congregation.  Various working groups are approved, funded, or supported by the committee.  There are numerous ways that we can make a difference in the world.  We can donate food, we can walk for affordable housing, we can support the Urban Ministry, we can support advocacy and education for prisoners, and we can educate ourselves about climate change. 

The Pie Palace at Town Day raises money to fund either an event or support a working group.  If you want to schedule a social justice-related one-time event, please complete an event application form.  If you are part of a group of people that wants to create a project or working group, please complete a Project-or-Working-Group application form.  Return your form one week before the Social Justice Committee's monthly meeting to get on the agenda.  The meeting is usually the second Wednesday of the month.  It is very helpful if you allow a couple of months for an event to be scheduled.

You can contact social justice by e-mail at socialjustice@firstparish.info.

The Giving First Program

Giving First is a Social Justice program at First Parish, where 50% of our non-pledge Sunday morning offerings is given to a different charity each month.  The Social Justice Committee is grateful for our congregation's generosity.  We have donated over $25,000 through this program since its inception in November 2009.  Click Here to see the previous recipients of the Giving First Program.

Current Active Working Groups

Action for Economic Justice (Contact Person:  Lori Kenschaft)

AEJ is First Parish's newest working group, approved in February 2012.  Our goal is to help First Parish people more effectively challenge the excesses and injustices of our time by

1. Educating ourselves and others,
2. Taking action on specific issues related to economic inequality and effective democracy,
3. Creating opportunities for reflection, sharing, and deeper learning.

We have six events scheduled for the spring of 2012, as well as an e-mail network and Facebook page for sharing timely information.  Please join us!  E-Mail economic-justice@firstparish.info for more information or join us at facebook.com  [First Parish Arlington Action for Economic Justice].

Affordable Housing (Contact Persons:  Debby Lewis and Jan Blodgett)

First Parish is a member of the Housing Corporation of Arlington (HCA), a community organization that promotes affordable housing in town by buying scattered two-family houses and small apartment buildings to rent at below-market rates to low and moderate income families.  HCA also administers a Homelessness Prevention Fund designed to help families over a difficult time, allowing them to stay in their homes.  There are a number of annual volunteer activities for HCA:  the Walk for Affordable Housing in April, outdoor clean-up days at various properties in the Spring and the Fall, and help with fundraising mailings.  For more information, contact First Parish members Debby Lewis (debnlewis@verizon.net) or Jan Blodgett (janb@dancing-data.com) or HCA's Outreach Coordinator, Joanna Ain at (781) 316-3606. 

Arlington Food Pantry Donations (Contact Person:  Jean Nagle)

Diversity/Inclusion Group

All interested First Parish folks are invited to meetings of the Diversity/Inclusion Group (D/IG).  Our mission:  to work together to make First Parish as welcome and inclusive as we can be and to assist outside efforts with a similar goal.  We define diversity to include race, social class, gender, age, disability/special needs, and LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender).

If you are interested in participating in decisions over upcoming plans, or if you are able to make a short- or long-term commitment to work on a particular issue, please join us.  We usually meet on the third Thursday of the month at 7 pm.  For more information, contact diversity@firstparish.info .

Green Sanctuary/Climate Change Group (Contact:  David Landskov)

In 2007 we were excited to have Arlington resident and president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, Kevin Knobloch, as our guest speaker for the Shinn service.  He spoke to us about climate change and what we can do to influence the sustainability of our world.

Please click here to see more information that we have about climate change.

At the November 2010 Congregational meeting, the congregation voted to seek Green Sanctuary accreditation from the UUA.  More information on the Green Sanctuaries movement can be found at UU Ministry for Earth.

If you have an interest in working on issues concerning global climate change or email gogreen@firstparish.info.

Red Cross Blood Drive (Contact Person:  John Hodges)

Social Justice sponsors the hosting of several blood drives each year in our church.  The work is spearheaded by John Hodges and utilizes a good pool of volunteers in setup, registration, entertainment for those waiting, clean up and more.  If you have questions or want to sign up to help, contact John Hodges via email to blooddrive@firstparish.info.  On the left is a photo of the Red Cross recognition of our efforts -- the First Parish blood drive was named "Community Sponsor of the Year" for 2009. Congratulations to John and to all who help make this happen with such impressive regularity and success.