Service and Justice Work
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.
"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.
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. When this began in 2006-2007 the church directed almost $15,000 of gifts and grants outside the congregation. By 2009-2010, the church gave away over $25,000 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. We have :
- A Social Action Committee that sponsors several ongoing projects, particularly Hunger Action, and that fields emerging projects;
- A Green Sanctuary Committee that addresses environmental integrity within the church and in the world;
- An Inclusivity Ministry that educates about and engages us with anti-oppression issues among us and in the larger community;
- Membership and involvement with Northeast Ohio Alliance for Hope (NOAH), a faith based community organizing network;
- Membership and involvement with InterAct Cleveland, a network of faith traditions offering interfaith education and action;
- A Queer & Allies Group (Q & A)that encourages networking and witness among GLBT members and non-gay friends and supporters;
- Various regular initiatives related to peace action, and Ohio's education policies.