Action Steps for Transforming Congregational Justice Ministry

  1. Congregation calls a minister committed to social justice.
  2. Church board and minister begin conversations around broadening social justice ministries and establishing a Social Justice Coordinating Committee.
  3. Leadership attends district trainings and holds a congregational retreat with the goal of developing a justice ministry deeply engaged in the community.
  4. Congregation holds a Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Social Justice Empowerment Workshop to discern what they most cared about, to develop a collective vision, and decide who they wanted to work with and how.
  5. Based on conversations from these workshops, the congregation partners with organizations that share their values and vision, including a local Congregationally-Based Community Organization (CBCO), the Standing on the Side of Love campaign, the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Partner Church Council, and the Michigan UU Social Justice Network.
  6. Hosts an anti-racism training and multiculturalism workshop and uses UUA Examining Whiteness curriculum that allowed congregational members to work with greater sensitivity and awareness to issues of racism, oppression, privilege and diversity.
  7. Intentionally designs social justice ministries to include all ages, including children, youth and young adults.
  8. Nurtures and sustains ties with local community as well as with the larger Unitarian Universalist world.
  9. Applies for and receives grants from the UU Funding Program and other sources for training and partnerships. Supports their justice ministry and community organizations through Share the Plate collections.
  10. Recognizes individuals for their social justice leadership and celebrates the congregation’s achievements!