Social Justice
Social Justice at UUCC
Social justice work has long been a part of Unitarian Universalism, and for almost as long, it has been a source of tension within and among congregations. One dearly held value, the right to freedom of belief, at times conflicts with our belief that collective social justice work is crucial to who we are as religious people. As a congregation, we strive to explore ways of making decisions about social justice actions that affirm both the right to individual belief and the responsibility for corporate social justice action.
Among the principles our congregation affirms and promotes are:
The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations.
The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
UUCC has a history of standing up for social justice that dates to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s. UUCC is a Welcoming Congregation and Green Sanctuary that Sides with Love and Shares/Donates the Plate monthly with area projects. The UUCC Social Justice Committee meets regularly to discuss social justice issues, like climate change, hunger and food access, marriage equality, white supremacy, and we invite all interested, members and friends alike, to join us in our quest for social justice, locally and world-wide.
We Support Black Lives Matter
The UUCC Social Justice Committee agrees that the Black Lives Matter movement is the Civil Rights Movement for the 21st Century. It was born online after the not-guilty verdict in the killing of Trayvon Martin, and translated to the streets after the killing of Michael Brown. BlackLivesMatter is an organization, a movement, and a rallying cry for racial justice. Systematic racial injustice persists: young black men are 21 times more likely than their white counterparts to be shot by police, public schools are more segregated now than ever, and black unemployment is two times that of whites.
Black Lives Matter is broadening the conversation around state violence to include all of the ways in which Black people are intentionally left powerless at the hands of the state. Black Lives Matter continues to explore and talk about the ways in which Black lives are deprived of their basic human rights and dignity. Black Lives Matter is working for a world where Black lives are no longer systematically and intentionally targeted for demise. Black Lives Matter affirms people of color’s contributions to this society, our humanity, and our resilience in the face of deadly oppression. Black Lives Matter is a project that calls for Black lives to matter to everyone of any color.
We Support LGBTQIA+ Rights
UUCC Social Justice Committee stands in solidarity with every person and community resisting racism and bigotry. The chants of the white nationalists against people of color, LGBTQ people, and Jewish people are a reminder that we are all in in this struggle together.
We believe that when gay people are allowed to participate fully in society, it benefits our communities, the economy and millions of American families, gay and straight alike. Winning marriage equality was an important part of ending discrimination, and a defining step toward full equality and inclusion of gay people in American life. But there is still work ahead.
From seniors to youth, our LGBTQ community faces persistent challenges. For example, LGBTQ older adults are less likely than heterosexual elders to have children to look after them as they age – and they’re more likely to live alone. LGBTQ high schoolers report higher rates of dating violence, including sexual assault, than their straight peers. In addition, LGBTQ youth are bullied to a much greater degree (30%) than heterosexual teens (17%), and are significantly more likely to contemplate and attempt suicide.
We are a Welcoming Congregation, recognized by the Unitarian Universalist Association. This means we affirm and include people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer at every level of congregational life—in worship, in program, and in social occasions—welcoming them as whole people.
As a Welcoming Congregation we have pledged to:
honor the lives of all people and equally affirm displays of caring and affection without regard for sexual orientation.
celebrate diversity by using inclusive language and content in worship.
incorporate an understanding of the experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer persons throughout all of our programs, including religious education.
affirm and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer issues and history.
affirm marriage equality and conduct same-sex weddings.
advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, promoting justice, freedom, and equality in the larger society. We speak out when the rights and dignity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people are at stake.
We recognize that there’s always something more to learn, and remain open to deepening our understanding about the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people.
Food Collection at UUCC
Every 4th Sunday, please bring in your filled grocery bags to donate to the Food Bank. We will deliver them to the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and report back to you on how much was donated.
If you prefer to make a cash donation to the Food Bank, it will be gladly received.
We will continue collecting food every month for the Food Bank. Look for the donation box on the fourth Sunday of each month.
Please also consider volunteering at The Food Bank. They need help sorting and packing food boxes, and distributing food at the Foxwood Food Center.
Food Insecurity doesn’t take a holiday and neither will we!