Social Justice Ministry Team
2009-2010 Social Justice Theme: "Education and Literacy"
Have you thought about joining the all-church effort to support the theme of Education/Literacy by tutoring someone? Not sure of how to be a tutor? Well, tutor training courses are now in progress. The first four-week session, now completed, concerned reading instruction, but could be repeated, depending on demand. The second four-week session, beginning the first week of March, will cover tutoring of study skills/academic support. If you would like to join this second course, call Mike in the church office, 215-563-3980.
Dates: Wednesdays, March 3-24, 7-8:30 pm.
Continued Social Justice Programs
Rebuilding Together Philadelphia
An Opportunity to work with other First Churchers Making a Real Difference for One 3-Generation Famly Home
Join First Unitarian's Rebuilding Together Philadelphia Team as a Project Leader and/or Skilled, Semi-Skilled and Unskilled Worker as we tackle some well-needed enhancements in a Germantown home which houses three generations. Work includes but is not limited to installing basement stairs, plaster ceiling demolition, drywall installation, replacing a leaky bathtub with a walk-in shower, replacing flooring and celiling tiles, tightening up windows, doors and banisters, installing shelving, painting, preparing an adjacent lot for planting, .... Take a look at the complete list of tasks below to find where you and your skills might fit best. Work Saturdays are April 10, 17 and 24.
Please email Janet Scannell to sign up to work as a Project Leader or skilled, semi-skilled or unskilled worker or to ask questions.
Books Through Bars
Donations of paperback educational, historic and Spanish language books are welcome in the bin located in our lobby. Members with cars are encouraged to help transport donated books to the meeting space of this books to prisoners project which meets at the A-Space (4733 Baltimore Ave) . on Tuesday evenings, 7:00 p.m., and first and third Saturdays, 11am-2pm. Contact Ginny Beier at vhbeier@hep.upenn.edu. Visit online for more info at booksthroughbars.com. New project to help the Homeless with getting reading supplies at Winter Shelter and The Welcome Center .We will start with poetry so save any of your favorite books of poems to donate, let Ginny Beier know of them. (215-545-7831 or via email).
Recycling
First Church continues its efforts to support the Interdependent Web of all existance which we proclaim in our seventh Principle by Recycling whenever possible. Please deposit your trash responsibly in the correct containers as well as glass and plastics and paper.
Reusing Order of Service Covers
We reuse covers from the order of service so please place them in the basket in the rear of the church in the provided basket at the usher’s table and not in the trash or the recycling bins.
The Literacy Site
Visiting a set of websites can lend support towards important issues without any monetary donation. Go to theliteracysite.com. This click will send free books to children. Additional clicks on the other cites listed will support Hunger; Breast Cancer; Child Health; Rainforest; and Animal Rescue. The sponsors of the ads which can be ignored support the causes.
October: Congregation Selects a Single Social Justice Theme
At the October 18th Congregational Meeting, the members of First Church selected “Education and Literacy” as the focus of our All-Congregation Social Justice work for this year. Having selected Education/Literacy as our theme, the time has come to identify First Church projects and initiatives which will enhance education and literacy within our community.
November: Generating Project Ideas - Social Justice Brainstorming Session
Our recent brainstorming session generated over 50 ideas on how First Church could address the Education/Literacy issue in Philadelphia. Ideas included educating ourselves on the issues and opportunities in this area, advocacy efforts, many direct action projects and ways of looking at the moral and spiritual aspects of addressing Education/Literacy in our worship. Folks voted with their feet and as a result 15 Task Forces were formed to begin planning projects and initiatives with the potential of other teams being formed as folks consider the list. Take a look at the cover letter and list below and find your niche as Education/Literacy is our All-Congregation Social Justice work! Suggestions or questions – Feel free to contact Debby Schultz, 215-704-9852.
Task Forces & Project/Initiative Ideas List
December: Implementing Social Justice Projects
If you are interested in participating in a Social Justice project, take a look at the steps below to guide you through the process:
Step 1: Create or Join a Task Force - each project/initiative needs to form a Task Force of individuals willing to create a proposal and implement the project. If you want to join an already created Task Force, take a look at the Task Forces & Project/Initiative Ideas List and contact the Lead (indicated with an asterisk).
Step 2: Complete and Submit Proposal - each Task Force will complete and submit the Project/Initiative Proposal Form to the Social Justice Ministry Team. The proposal is meant to assist the Task Force in developing a clear plan for the project.
Step 3: Proposal Review/Revision - the Social Justice Ministry Team will review the proposal and meet with the Task Force (if necessary) to discuss the viability of the project or initiative
Step 4: Proposal Approval - the Social Justice Ministry Team will approve viable projects and initiatives that relate to the theme
Step 5: Project/Initiative Implementation - each approved project/initiative will be implemented by the relevant Task Force
Step 6: Project/Initiative Evaluation - in May 2010, each Task Force will submit a brief one-page report describing the approved project/initiative, process of implementation and results. This will help inform First Church of the great Education and Literacy work that was done this year!
Click on the Guidelines for Projects/Initiatives for further information.
Social Justice Resource List
As evidenced by the Social Justice Resource List, First Church members and friends are actively engaged in the community. Areas of engagement include education/literacy, homelessness/housing, children and youth, nutrition, the elderly, the environment, health and social services, peace, political action and Unitarian Universalism.
In addition to demonstrating the commitment of this community to Social Justice, the Social Justice Resource List provides points of contacts for folks in the Congregation with an interest in a particular topic to either enhance their current work or jump-start their engagement.
Folks who did not respond to the spring/summer survey and would like to be part of the Social Justice Resource List can do so by providing Brian Lago with the following information: Name, Organization affiliation, its Mission, Participant’s role in the organization and Contact Information which can be listed.
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