On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) is guided by the Preamble and 30 Articles in their Mission Statement. Take a moment and read this and and our Seven Principles. This is our Foundation as Unitarian Universalists.

Here, in Bethlehem, The UUCLV has a rich history of involvement in many social justice issues. From the time of our founding, over 50 years ago, to the current day we have been a guiding light in the Lehigh Valley for Social Justice

Our Projects

Some of the projects that we as a group, individually or as a congregation, are involved in are listed below. This is, by no means, a comprehensive list. Many members of the congregation are involved in Social Justice issues on their own. Others are just not listed here.

If you would like to be a part of any of these or would like to start your own please contact a member of the Social Action Committee or, better yet, stop by our monthly meeting. We meet the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:15pm in Friedemarie's Kitchen. All members and friends of The UUCLV are welcome at our meetings. Hope to see you there!

Fourth Friday Films   

Each fourth Friday at 7:15 PM we show a thought provoking film we have selected to raise awareness and promote action on some issue we feel could use it . A discussion and methods to address the need follow the film .     http://movienight.uuclvpa.org/

   

Second Harvest Food Bank

We encourage people in the lehigh valley to help those in need of food by contributing money to Second Harvest .  Compared to purchasing food and bringing it somewhere to be donated this is an easier and much more effective way to be of service .    http://www.shfblv.org/

       

Fair Trade Sale

Annually members of the Social Action Committee hold a sale to benefit Global Mamas. Global Mamas is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “transform the lives of women in Africa by creating sustainable income opportunities which lead to financial independence. Global Mamas reduces the economic inequality of women by significantly increasing wages and generating new jobs through the production and export of fair trade products. This in turn improves the standard of living for women, their families, and the larger community. We believe that helping women gain financial independence is the most effective way to create prosperous communities.” Read more at http://www.globalmamas.org/Info/39-AboutUs.aspx.   
Annual Nazareth to Bethlehem Peace Pilgrimage

For almost 50 years, during the Christmas season, people who believe in the importance of Peace have been gathering in Nazareth to walk the ten miles to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This pilgrimage, symbolic of the journey of Mary and Joseph, provides all of us, those who walk, those who pass us on the highway and even those who just read about the walk in the Sunday paper, with an opportunity to think about what Christmas really means. Spend this one afternoon taking a stand for what really matters. Come, walk with your family and friends, and make new friends who seek a more peaceful world. If you are concerned about your ability to complete the ten-mile walk you should know that there are both frequent rest stops and relief transportation.

By being part of this pilgrimage we "live" our values, specifically our 6th Principle, "The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all"

       

Fair Trade Coffee

UUs love coffee! We usually have a pot on no matter what the event. Our church serves Fair Trade coffee for all events, if possible. In order to provide a "fair" price for the coffee beans roasters and distributors must charge a little more per cup. When you see a basket around the coffee pot consider a small (really small, like $.50) donation. This will enable the church to continue purchasing fair trade coffee thus supporting small coffee growers around the world.
Fair Trade coffee from Equal Exchange is available to purchase at the Grocery Card table. Coffee and chocolate are on display and for sale at a reasonable price.

       

Turning Point Back-to-School and Holiday Projects

Turning Point of Lehigh Valley is a safe place where victims of abuse and their children can find refuge. Twice a year, during the Christmas season and again before school starts, the generous members and friends of The UUCLV donate gifts, money and supplies to the families who have been driven out of their homes by domestic violence. The impact of these gifts cannot be measured. It shows the children and women that there are kind and caring people in their community and gives them hope.

       

Shared Plate - Monthly Social Action Focus

Every Sunday 1/2 of the non-pledge plate collection during our service is donated to a cause or group (both local and national/international) chosen by the members of the Social Action Committee. This is a way for the entire congregation to directly participate in the Justice work of The UUCLV.

       

Bethlehem Emergency Sheltering Program (Winter months)

During the winter of 2008-2009 The UUCLV joined together with other churches in the Bethlehem area to provide shelter for people with no place to be sheltered. We cooked or purchased food, showed movies and provided a safe, warm place for homeless men during the coldest part of the year.
The program has been incorporated and is now a 501(C)(3) non-profit. Beginning on December 4 we will be providing shelter for 17 Wednesday until March, 2014. Please consider joining or contributing to this church outreach. shelter@uuclvpa.org

       

Welcoming Congregation

In 2001 through a congregational vote, the UUCLV officially became a "Welcoming Congregation" to the GLBT. It declared its mission statement to read: To challenge the members of the UUCLV to be open to all people and to fostering a nurturing community of mutual acceptance, respect and love.

       

HAVEN

Shortly after officially becoming a "Welcoming Congregation" the UUCLV formed HAVEN (Hope, Acceptance, Validation, Equality, Nurturing) a unique opportunity for GLBT youth to meet once a week in a safe and supportive environment. Visit The HAVEN web page for more details about the program and activities.

       

Pride Fest

Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley has been in existence, organizing the pride festival since 1993. What began as small community festival has evolved into the dynamic arts and culture celebration of today. The event includes vendors, merchants, artisans, business services and community groups, games and live entertainment. The UUCLV supports Pridefest and is a visible supporter - marching in the opening parade, having a booth at the festival and, this year, as Silent Witness members.

       

Silent Witness

Silent Witness PA (SWPA) is an organization of gay and straight allies dedicated to providing a non-confrontational buffer between those who condemn others based on their sexual orientation or identity and those they condemn. The UUCLV has members trained by Silent Witness PA and has held Silent Witness training in our church.

       

Women's Center Escorts

Most mornings each week members of The UUCLV provide escorts for women with appointments at the Allentown Women's Center. These woman are accosted by fervent radicals opposed to all forms of birth control and women's health issues.

       

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)

UUSC advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies. The UUSC is supported solely by it's members; UUs around the world. By joining the UUSC or contributing to Guest At Your Table you are a part of this great work.

       

       

This is just a partial list of activities that our congregation has supported. Be a part of our great tradition; add your social justice passion to the list or join one of the current activities.
   
                
Updated:  14  November 2013 | © 2013 The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Lehigh Valley | All Rights Reserved

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