Social Justice Work at UU Church of Bloomington
SJ Annual Report 2022-2023
Annual Report 2021-2022
Social Justice permeates all programming at the UU Church of Bloomington – worship, religious education, fellowship, and special groups like Chalice Circles and the choir. Social Justice Task Forces are formed when a number of people wish to work together around a specific social justice area..
Our Social Justice Task Forces are changing the world!
May we persist, resist, and insist on justice!
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The Green Sanctuary Task Force promotes mindful, Earth centered living, working to educate and motivate individuals and institution to take positive steps toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions with the understanding that it is our moral imperative to care for the Earth. Marcia Veldman
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Habitat Task Force The primary goal of the Habitat Task Force is to support Habitat for Humanity of Monroe County and its effort to safe, provide safe, decent, affordable housing for everyone. The task force also seeks to back the objectives of other organizations to improve the housing situation in Monroe County. Task force members volunteer to build Habitat houses, raise funds to donate to Habitat for Humanity for a variety of needs, and seek to improve awareness in the congregation and community about the need for affordable housing Barb Berggoetz
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Hunger Task Force engages in projects to reduce hunger in our community by supporting and extending the food programs of the Monroe County United Ministries, Shalom Center, Community Kitchen, New Hope for Families and Wheeler Mission. We have ongoing food drives for varying recipients and also run a Little Free Pantry. Dee Morris
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The Homelessness Task Force works to
• provide services and support to people experiencing homelessness
• educate congregation and community of the struggles associated with homelessness and ways we can help
• advocate for policies and initiatives that reduce the issues associated with homelessness or homelessness itself
• organize collaborative events that aid those experiencing homelessness within our community
Contact Alan Backler:812-340-1323 or Marlin Howard:812-320-5460
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The Hope for Prisoners Task Force works on projects based on recognizing humanity of those in prison and their families. The goal of this task force is to serve and advocate for individuals during incarceration and their return to this community, and also their families and support systems with a major effort to support KAP, Kids with Absent Parents. Debbie Fish
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The International Outreach Task Force (IOTF) expand and improve cross-cultural and international understanding through hands on involvement with projects fulfilling local needs in developing countries. Currently three projects are in Kenya. Claire Robertson
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The Just Peace Task Force works to promote peace and justice in the world, recognizing the essential role of grassroots organizing in creating a consensus for a new foreign and military policy. David Keppel
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The Racial Justice Task Force offers Leadership and support as we strive to “walk the walk” of the 8th principle in our church and our local community. Ruth Aydt
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The Rainbow Rights Task Force seeks to work with and for the congregation in the area of LGBTQ rights and concerns. Currently in active – looking for new leadership and reorganize. Please Contact Jason Michalek
The goal of the Refugee/Immigration Support and Education Task Force is to support refugees and immigrants living in Bloomington and work cooperatively with efforts of the Interfaith Alliance and the Bloomington Refugee Support Network. Barb Backler
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Becoming a Sanctuary Congregation – On March 9, 2017, our congregation voted to become a Sanctuary Congregation.
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The Reproductive Justice Task Force promotes an active liberal voice to educate ourselves and the community, advocates for reproductive justice, and connects with community partners (political, healthcare, and faith based) to ensure reproductive justice for all. Nan McKinley or Cindy Lonnberg
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RESOURCES FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE UUCB GRIEVING SUPPORT GROUP July 6, 2020
The Social Justice Funds Committee administers Social Justice Grants and facilitates selection of our 25% Sunday Plate recipient (25% of contributions made to the church during the Offertory moment on Sunday mornings is donated to a different organization each year, which is voted on at our Annual Congregational Meeting). Denise Ogren chair
The 25% Sunday Plate recipient for July 2023 – June 2024 is All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center.
The 2022 – 2023 recipient was Bloomington Refugee Support Network.
The 2021-22 recipient was The Nest Early Childhood Education.
The 2020-21 recipient was Monroe County United Ministries COMPASS Early Learning Center.
The 2019-2020 recipient was Volunteers in Medicine.
The 2018-19 recipient was Spencer Pride.
The 2017-18 recipient was All-Options Pregnancy Resource Center.
The 2016-17 recipient was New Leaf – New Life.
SJ Funds Committee Chair, Denise Ogren
SJ Chair, Jackie Hall
