A central aspect of Unitarian Universalism is to restore balance to our community and the world. This translates to a firm commitment to social justice action, which traces back to our values. Because every person is sacred and there is an interdependent web of all existence, we cannot turn away from injustice.

Our justice work is more than just learning and sharing information. We aim to transform the world — and ourselves in the process. Social justice is woven throughout all of our programs, from religious education to worship to events. You are invited to join in this mission. Transform yourself, as you transform the world. Visit our Volunteer Page for current social justice (and general FUSIT) volunteer opportunities and check out our Social Justice Activities below.

Social Justice Activities

Side with Love and Shared Plate
Each Sunday in March, we will be collecting gift cards for gas and Walmart and Aldi’s gift cards, for Finger Lakes Community Health/Migrant Workers Program. As a Community Health Center, Finger Lakes Community Health offers full medical, dental, and behavioral health services to everyone in our community, regardless of a patient’s insurance status. The Shared Plate will also go the FL Community Health.

Information about upcoming social justice events can be found below. See the Weekly Announce email or contact office@uuithaca.org for Zoom links.

Upcoming Events

UUs of Color
Monday, March 2 at 6 pm over Zoom
If you are a UU of Color, please join us for community, resource sharing, and activity planning. Please contact poc@uuithaca.org for meeting details. 

The Environmental Interest Circle
Wednesday, March 4 at 7 pm
The Environmental Interest Circle meets to discuss/exchange ideas and actions that further sustainable living for each one of us, for the FUSIT congregation, and for our congregations’ role in the greater community. We will meet on March 4th at 7 pm in the Parlor and over Zoom, and continue to meet every first Wednesday of the month.

LGBTQ+ Group
Meets Monthly
This Small Group is especially for FUSIT’s LGBTQ+ community and meets monthly. All who identify on the LGBTQ+ continuum are welcome. Come enjoy this opportunity for fellowship and community within our larger FUSIT community, in a safe, confidential and nurturing environment. Please reach out to dre@uuithaca.org for more information.

Action Teams

Action Teams are formed by a person or group of people who identify a social justice topic on which they want to focus. These teams are somewhat dynamic and are created and discontinued based on current events and issues. The following is a description of the current or recent action teams:

• Environmental Interests Circle: meets monthly to support one another in developing sustainable habits and to provide information and resources to learn about how to live in a more environmentally sustainable way. Below are some resources we use to guide our monthly discussion. Check the Upcoming Events Page for further information.
  • Sustainable Finger Lakes offers news articles related to sustainability and environmental conservation, lists sustainability-minded organizations for networking in a shared region, and offers resources and tips for an environmentally-conscious future.
  •  Tenant Resources Document– Ithaca’s Electrification Program
    This document helps tenants understand how an energy-efficient upgrade, made by their landlord, would benefit them.  
  • Electrification Document
    A release from Cornell Cooperative Extension, this details what electrification means, how it works, and lists the benefits of “electrifying.”
• Health Care Reform: Working towards changing New York State and national laws to provide healthcare for all people. This group is currently tracking privatization as well as medical debt issues. Contact Judy Jones jwj2@cornell.edu.
• Your action team here!