Social Outreach
An
important link between our UU principles and the community at large,
this area focuses on projects and programs of human concern. It seeks
ways in which the congregation can work productively, alone or with
other groups, to bring about positive results. Issues may be related to
health care, education, senior citizens, environmental concerns, social
action, and social justice.
The congregation was surveyed in 2016 to determine outreach priorities for the next 2-3 years. Poverty and homelessness were the 2 issues identified. Toward this goal, we are working with the Cape Cod Council of Churches to support their programs that address these issues: Covenant to Care, Hands of Hope Outreach Center, and A Baby Center.
Our outreach into the community includes working with the Housing Assistance Corporation on housing issues that face the neediest here on Cape Cod. For the Housing Assistance Corporation, we participate in the annual Walk to End Homelessness, sell grocery certificates (which provide a contribution to HAC), and serve dinner once a month at St. Joseph's House in Hyannis.
We also provide healthy snacks to the volunteers at Habitat for Humanity building sites. In November of 2014, nearly 20 of our members and friends volunteered on a build site in Centerville. Most of those participating on that cold day found they could shingle the side of a house with the best of them!
Other Social/Environmental Justice activities include participation in the:
- Fair Trade Equal Exchange Coffee Project sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, in which we reach out to communities in the coffee-growing world by buying coffee that is fairly traded, serving it during our church coffee hour, and making it available for purchase to visitors and members of our congregation. This enables farmers and their families to earn a fairer share of income, gain access to credit and technical support, and work with a trading partner they can trust.
- A Green Sanctuary Committee, which works on environmental justice issues.
- A Welcoming Congregation Committee working on LGBT justice issues.
- Monthly racial justice standouts on the third Friday at 5pm. Winter hours change to the third Saturday at 11am.
Visit the more detailed pages linked above to learn more about these committees and their work. Consider joining our efforts!