First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa

Unitarians and Universalists seem to have a particular calling to social action. It's a historical connection--one of the few things that has remained fairly consistent throughout our history. If you've worked through the history section, you have probably already discovered equal rights work, involvement in overseas relief efforts, and the like. In recent years we have offered sanctuary to people unjustly denied refugee status, worked for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer rights, and sent funds to help people recover from natural disasters, among other things. Some congregations are comfortable taking public stands for things in which they believe and some are not. Every congregation is different, but most have a way to get involved.

activity: find out what your congregation's policy is on various kinds of activism: does the congregation do any activism? Is it public? Does the congregation ever lend its name in support of causes or justice issues? Why or why not? Consider your personal beliefs, the commonly held beliefs in your congregation, and the faith group at large. What basis do you think there is for the congregation's choice? Do you agree?

activity: find your congregation's Social Action, Social Responsibility, or Social Justice committee (it may be under another name). Talk to a member of the committee; consider attending a meeting yourself to see it in action.

activity: research a historical activist in-depth. Find a Unitarian or Universalist or Unitarian Universalist in history who worked for and effected great change. Research zir life. What can we learn from zir story?

activity: find out if you congregation makes donations to local organisations; food banks, temporary housing, and rescue organisations are all common recipients. If your congregation does make donations, find out to whom, where the donations come from, and how that determination is made. If your congregation does not, find out why not.

activity: choose a cause or issue that is important to you, and think about why it's important. How does that tie in with your ethical, religious, and theological beliefs? Write about it, or discuss it with another member of the congregation, with your minister, or in a public forum. If it's a hot topic, consider writing a letter to the editor of your local paper describing your stance and why it is a religious choice for you. You might consider having your minister look it over before you send it in.

making change: find a group for an issue that you care about which does political activism which is connected to the congregation, whether it represents the congregation's views or not. Get involved: attend a rally, work on a letter-writing campaign, go door-to-door, volunteer for an election. Politics and religion are a sticky mix; consider where you think the appropriate boundaries are between political activism and religious organisations.

making change: join a committee or subcommittee which does social justice work. Stick with it for a year or two; really get to know how to help the congregation make more effective social change. If you don't see the change happening or are frustrated by the process, go back to the polity section, reread the bylaws, and find out how you can change the way things happen.

lead me onward

lead me backward

take me home

Confused by the alphabet soup? Try the glossary

A Quirky Intro to Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism by Leela Sinha
Political and Social Action	If you like things in order . . . Introduction to the guided tour: . . . . .. lead me onward If your mind loves a search . . . Menu by Subject general information about Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism history polity general theology personal theology Religious Exploration political/social action involvement at First Unitarian, Ottawa, Ontario CANADA
Unitarians and Universalists seem to have a particular calling to social action. It's a historical connection--one of the few things that has remained fairly consistent throughout our history. If you've worked through the history section, you have probably already discovered equal rights work, involvement in overseas relief efforts, and the like. In recent years we have offered sanctuary to people unjustly denied refugee status, worked for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer rights, and sent funds to help people recover from natural disasters, among other things. Some congregations are comfortable taking public stands for things in which they believe and some are not. Every congregation is different, but most have a way to get involved. activity: find out what your congregation's policy is on various kinds of activism: does the congregation do any activism? Is it public? Does the congregation ever lend its name in support of causes or justice issues? Why or why not? Consider your personal beliefs, the commonly held beliefs in your congregation, and the faith group at large. What basis do you think there is for the congregation's choice? Do you agree? activity: find your congregation's Social Action, Social Responsibility, or Social Justice committee (it may be under another name). Talk to a member of the committee; consider attending a meeting yourself to see it in action. activity: research a historical activist in-depth. Find a Unitarian or Universalist or Unitarian Universalist in history who worked for and effected great change. Research zir life. What can we learn from zir story? activity: find out if you congregation makes donations to local organisations; food banks, temporary housing, and rescue organisations are all common recipients. If your congregation does make donations, find out to whom, where the donations come from, and how that determination is made. If your congregation does not, find out why not. activity: choose a cause or issue that is important to you, and think about why it's important. How does that tie in with your ethical, religious, and theological beliefs? Write about it, or discuss it with another member of the congregation, with your minister, or in a public forum. If it's a hot topic, consider writing a letter to the editor of your local paper describing your stance and why it is a religious choice for you. You might consider having your minister look it over before you send it in. making change: find a group for an issue that you care about which does political activism which is connected to the congregation, whether it represents the congregation's views or not. Get involved: attend a rally, work on a letter-writing campaign, go door-to-door, volunteer for an election. Politics and religion are a sticky mix; consider where you think the appropriate boundaries are between political activism and religious organisations. making change: join a committee or subcommittee which does social justice work. Stick with it for a year or two; really get to know how to help the congregation make more effective social change. If you don't see the change happening or are frustrated by the process, go back to the polity section, reread the bylaws, and find out how you can change the way things happen. lead me onward lead me backward take me home Confused by the alphabet soup? Try the glossary
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