Social Action in Our Congregation

Social Action Committee

The Social Action Committee (SAC) serves as a catalyst for peace and social justice to realize the seven UU principles within our Fellowship and the global community. The SAC takes a stewardship role in relation to social action initiatives undertaken at UUFR and allocates resources across the different social justice projects. Drop by the Social Action table during coffee hours on first and fourth Sundays to chat, sign up for events or pick up materials of interest. Contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Meetings are the 1st Tuesday of the month, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. in the Music Room. All are welcome, but agenda items must be submitted at least two days prior to meeting.

Fourth and Fifth Sunday Collections

As a concrete indication of our commitment to social justice, our congregation voted to allocate all undesignated collections taken on the fourth Sunday of the month towards social justice projects or organizations. The Social Action Committee chooses the recipients of these funds, based on member recommendations, to further our shared social action goals. Months with five Sundays create a special opportunity for social action; on fifth Sundays, all undesignated collections are contributed to a specific pre-selected non-profit organization chosen by the Social Action Committee via a nomination process that occurs at the beginning of each fiscal year. For more information, submit a request for fourth Sunday funds. Thank you for living your values through your fourth and fifth Sunday generosity! Contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Room Sponsorship Program

The Social Action Committee also sponsors free use of UUFR space for occasional meetings or events for outside groups whose purpose support the mission of UUFR and of the Social Action Committee. To apply for sponsorship, please fill out room sponsorship request form and return to  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Social Action Projects

In the last few years, the Social Action Committee has coordinated or sponsored several social justice projects such as Stop Hunger Now food packaging events, Walk For Hope teams, Angel Tree projects during the December holiday season, Red Cross Blood Drives, Neuse River Clean-Up projects, and a Haiti re-forestation project. The SAC strongly encourages members to suggest and lead social justice activities within UUFR and the community. Those who are interested in organizing or participating in social justice activities should Contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to initiate SAC support.

Green Sanctuary Group

Promoting environmental sustainability is a high priority of the SAC and UUFR. In 2010, the UUFR adopted a statement of conscience that promotes sustainable living (text found HERE). The Green Sanctuary Group (GSG) formed in Fall 2009 with the goal of getting our congregation certified by the UUA as a Green Sanctuary. In order to meet the UUA Green Sanctuary Program requirements, we must meet the following criteria on an annual basis:

• Worship and Celebration (2 projects).
• Religious Education (2 projects). At least one project for children/youth and one for adults.
• Environmental Justice (2 projects). At least one project must be a major ongoing collaboration with another congregation or organization.
• Sustainable Living (4 projects). Must include at least one energy conservation activity.

The role of the Green Sanctuary Group is not to be in charge of environmental programming at UUFR, but rather to record what we are already doing as a congregation and submit this information to the UUA Green Sanctuary Program on an annual basis.  If we are falling short of the twelve required projects for certification, GSG will help fill in the gaps by working with committees to plan and co-sponsor events. If you have an idea for a project or would like to report a project that would qualify for certification, contact  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Statements of Conscience

Since 2004, the UUFR has adopted five statements of conscience on marriage equality, opposition to capital punishment, sustainability, health care reform, and school diversity. These statements are the result of congregational votes and express the official position of the UUFR regarding these issues. Click HERE to view the entire texts of the statements.

Journey Towards Wholeness (JTW) Anti-Racism Team

Our mission is to inspire our members and others to actively oppose racism locally and globally. With other grassroots organizations, we have successfully lobbied the city of Raleigh to enforce the Fair Housing Act at the local (city) level. In fall 2008, we conducted a congregational survey of attitudes toward becoming a more multicultural/ multiracial congregation. That survey provided much of the data for a report submitted to the Board of Directors. See the full report here: Developing and Sustaining a Multicultural/Multiracial Congregation (November 2009). Our group meets on fourth Sundays, noon-2 p.m. Contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

UUFR is a Welcoming Congregation and a pioneer in advocating for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender people. We take part in the annual Pridefest celebration in Durham and we host the Triangle PFLAG organization. Our congregation has also issued a statement of conscience supporting marriage equality in 2004. In 2011, UUFR created a Task Force chaired by  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  to protect LGBT families and help defeat the May 2012 marriage discrimination amendment. For LGBT social groups at UUFR, contact  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , a co-leader of the Wake Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) booster club, to discuss LGBT concerns specific to youth high-school age and younger.

School Diversity

The Social Action Committee is a member and supporter of the Greater Schools for Wake Coalition and, in 2010, the UUFR adopted a statement of conscience supporting diversity in the public schools. See the text of it HERE.

Food Pantry

As an ongoing congregation-wide Social Action project, UUFR has committed to fill two large barrels each month with food to be donated to the Urban Ministries Food Pantry. This contribution has become increasingly valuable as the demand among needy families rises. Please donate non-perishable food items by placing them in the designated barrels. The items most desired are: canned meat and fish, canned fruit, cereal, powdered milk, dried beans, rice, dry pasta, canned pasta and peanut butter. We cannot accept baby food and/or items in glass containers. Please also avoid green beans and corn. Contact:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.