Congregations Take Action: Resources for Justice

Congregational Best Practice

People's Church in Kalamazoo, MI is 2012 Bennett Award for Congregational Social Justice Winner: Ten years ago, after a Sunday Service, a newcomer asked about the People’s Church social action program and a long-time member answered, “Oh, we don’t do that.” Today, just a look at the congregation’s website reveals a vibrant social justice ministry, from community organizing and community service, to advocacy at the local, state and national level, and an international partnership. Now a Standing on the Side of Love banner hangs in the sanctuary, forty people from the congregation recently attended a faith-based community organization event where they brought a $1,000 donation they had raised, and fifty people–adults, youth, and children—helped prepare and serve a meal at an interfaith weekly program for homeless people. What has changed to make the congregation this year’s recipient of the UUA’s social justice award? Read the story including the action steps and resources these congregations used to strengthen their justice ministries.

More congregational stories and best practices.

Our Top Resources

• Congregation-Based Community Organization (CBCO)
• Inspired Faith, Effective Action (PDF, 31 pages) A Social Justice Workbook
• A People So Bold: DVD and study guide reflecting on how might congregations be beacons of Unitarian Universalist (UU) values for the larger world.
• The Real Rules (PDF, 20 pages) Congregations and IRS—Guidelines on Advocacy, Lobbying, and Elections
• Social Justice Empowerment Workshop
  • Handbook (PDF, 141 pages)
• Socially Responsible Investing
• Standing on the Side of Love: a campaign to mobilize UUs and allies in response to identity-based violence, exclusion and oppression

More Resources

• Legislative Advocacy
• Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Multiculturalism
• Effective Congregational Programs
• Ethical Investing & Corporate Advocacy
• Funding & Awards
• Grassroots Organizing
• Green Sanctuary
• Identity-Based Ministries
• International Resources
• Lifespan Faith Development Curriculum
• Public Witness & Media Advocacy
• Welcoming Congregation
• Worship (WorshipWeb)

Action Center

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Immigration Justice

• Tell Congress: We Need Compassionate, Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender (BGLT) Equality

• Help pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)

Environmental Justice

• End Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining (from iLoveMountains).