Service and Justice Work
"Scarves for Peace," an initiative
led by the Imagine Peace Group.
Service to the community and the world, and witnessing for justice as informed by our Unitarian Universalist principles and values is a key part of our church's mission. We encourage our members to initiate projects of service and witness on their own or in alliance with community organizations.
West Shore encourages our members' generosity in support of agencies and projects in our commmunity and denomination. At least once a month, the morning offering is given away to a group outside the church. Currently, West Shore has given away over $110,000.00 to needs greater than our own. The organizations represented in that amount are both local, national and international organizations. In special gifts and offerings to organizations outside the congregation, above and beyond its denominational giving.
Our approach to encouraging volunteers in Service and Justice is diverse, just as the political opinions and commitments among our members. The congregation voted on the following five task force groups whose work is officially sanctioned and recognized by the congregation.
- An Inclusivity Ministry that educates about and engages us with anti-oppression issues among us and in the larger community;
- A Queer & Allies Group (Q & A)that encourages networking and witness among GLBT members and non-gay friends and supporters;
- An Imagine Peace Group that works towards peace and justice in our lives and in the world;
- An Ethical Eating Group that educates and inspires individuals to be more conscious of their food choices;
- West Shore Allies Against Human Trafficking (WAAHT) with the goal fo "educating to eradicating" Human Trafficking.
A Social Action Committee that sponsors several ongoing projects, particularly Hunger Action, and that fields emerging projects.
"The moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends towards justice." --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. adapted from a quote by Unitarian minister, the Reverend Theodore Parker.