Serve One Another

UUCM Social Justice Ministry

The Social Justice Ministry’s current work focuses on Housing, Climate and Racial Justice. We recognize the intersectionality between racial, climate and housing inequities. As UU faith community we also support and value other important issues including LGBTQ+ rights and our Welcoming Congregation commitment, Universal Health Care for all, Guest at Your Table and the Side with Love campaign. 

The Social Justice Ministry seeks to provide opportunities to the congregation to participate in volunteer, educational, stewardship and advocacy activities. Learn more about current social justice initiatives on UUCM Happenings. We welcome your participation in our Social Justice Ministry.

Black Lives Matter: At a Special Meeting of the Members of UUCM on Sunday February 28, 2021, a public statement – to be accompanied by a “Black Lives Matter” banner on the exterior of the church – was approved by a vote of 87 – 0. Learn more here. 

Climate Justice: The Climate Justice group is working to reduce our personal and collective environmental footprint, moving toward a more just and sustainable world. To these ends we are fostering practical solutions that individuals can take to:

1. Conserve energy and reduce carbon emissions.

2. Address the causes of climate change and advocate for policy and structures that will ensure a livable future for all.

3. Bring balance and health to relationships with ourselves, each other and the natural world. 

Contact Jackie Smolen at jackiesmo@aol.com for more information and a link to the monthly Climate Justice meeting. 

Housing Justice: The Housing and Homelessness group is working toward a time when all people have a place to call home. We recognize the impact of racism in the growing housing crisis. Along with Beacon Interfaith Collaborative, Interfaith Outreach and Community Partners (IOCP) and others, we are dedicated to ending homelessness and housing insecurity, through affordable housing and rental subsidies. Contact Mary Cotton at mary3452@hotmail.com for more information and to receive a link to the monthly Housing Justice meeting.

Racial Justice: The Racial Justice group at UUCM works to raise awareness about and combat racism in its many forms. As Unitarian Universalists, it is important to act on our Principles, such as (1) the inherent worth and dignity of every person and (2) justice, equity and compassion in human relations. We work to end racial discrimination and injustice, starting within ourselves and moving out into the world around us. At UUCM we are dedicated to working with community partners, such as the Mapping Prejudice project, to advance racial justice. Contact Kate Flom at kflom209@gmail.com for more information and to receive a link to the monthly Racial Justice meeting.

Every Sunday, UUCM donates the entire open offering to a social justice cause, with different organizations chosen each month. Since we began this practice in 2010, UUCM has raised and dispersed over $120,000 to more than 60 different organizations. The recipient of grants from this fund are chosen by the Social Justice Ministry and our Minister, with input from the congregation. 

How to Donate: You can donate online using PayPal or a credit card at bit.ly/giveuucm. You may also mail a contribution to UUCM at 2030 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata MN 55391. Simply make your check out to "UUCM" with "Social Generosity" in the memo line.

If you would like to submit a suggestion, please fill out this online form. The congregation's current focus is on issues related to housing and homelessness, so related nominations will take precedence. 

Recent and Upcoming Donations:

JULY/AUGUST: Avenues for Youth

JUNE: PNHP Minnesota

MAY: Sojourner Project $1,975

APRIL: Dream of Wild Health $1,890

MARCH: MN Food Share and IOCP’s Prevent Hunger Campaign $2,815

FEBRUARY: Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative $1,410

JANUARY 2021: Mapping Prejudice $1,436

DECEMBER: Guest At Your Table, UUSC $1,320

NOVEMBER: 25th Annual IOCP Sleep Out Campaign $2,000

OCTOBER: Ain Dah Yung Center $1,470

SEPTEMBER: Water Legacy $1,390

AUGUST: Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA), and specifically their support of the UU the Vote campaign in Minnesota. $1,510

JULY 2020: Bridging $2,285

Here is a slideshow that highlights stories and messages of thanks from offering recipients over the last year, and displays the power of generosity as we share our resources with others. 

(For a full listing of previous recipients please contact the office)

Our annual Stewardship Campaign, “Courageous Love in Community” is happening right now! Your pledge will help us reach our goals of 125 pledges and a total of $365,000. This is a great time to invest your time, talent, and treasure into UUCM. Your gifts are critical to furthering our mission, fairly compensating our staff, and preparing for the return to the building with continued online access. Complete information about the campaign and our preliminary budget may be found in this Stewardship Packet, and you can donate online at bit.ly/uucmpledge. 

For more than 55 years, UUCM has relied on the generosity of our members and our friends to finance the church and fund our mission. Thank you for considering a gift to UUCM. Your gift will directly support the mission, ministries, and programs of the church. To learn more about making charitable financial contributions, please download our UUCM Giving Guide.   If you would like to make an online donation with a credit card, please visit our online donation page and follow the instructions to donate to our Operating Fund or Building Fund. Checks may be mailed to UUCM, 2030 Wayzata Blvd E, Wayzata, MN 55391. For other methods of giving, including pledges, automatic withdrawals, and stock transfers, please consult the UUCM Giving Guide. Again, thank you for your investment in the future of UUCM.

Building Fund

UUCM established a Building Fund in 2007 for money used to fund construction of our new building at 2030 Blvd East. So far, we have raised over $2.9 million. While the project was completed in 2017, we still need donations as we pay off our loans, and do a variety of follow-up projects.

Youth Fund

Special fundraisers are held throughout the year to support some other specific causes within the church. The largest such fund is the Youth Fund, which supports special programming for Children and Youth, including the annual youth leadership school and youth trips (e.g. Heritage trip to Boston, General Assembly, service trips).  Each week loose change in the offering basket goes to youth fund activities.

Endowment Fund

UUCM has established an endowment fund to accept legacy gifts and provide a strong financial foundation for the future of the church. Consider making provisions for a legacy gift to the endowment fund in your will.