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. Our church leaders make programming and financial decisions based on our commitment to social justice.

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

Environmental Interest Circle Celebration
November 10 after service

You’re invited to a celebration! FUSIT’s capital project to cut greenhouse gas emissions from the Annex building is complete. The building has been converted from burning methane to using air-source electric heat pumps with heat-recovery exchangers. The potentially dangerous and polluting gas lines have been eliminated. The entire building is now efficiently heated AND cooled by modern, safe, and efficient heat pumps. As a bonus, our project fits with Ithaca’s overall plan to electrify many downtown buildings.

On November 10 we will serve coffee hour on the second floor of the Annex, where you will be able to see and feel the new ceiling units delivering warm air. There will be information available about how to make this change in your own home, and people available to answer your questions. 

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8th Principle Action Ministry
Wednesday, November 27 at 7 pm

The 8th Principle Action Ministry (8PAM) meets via Zoom on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 pm. Look for future program offerings including book discussion and film viewing opportunities. Contact joAnn kowalski for more information or to offer ideas or suggestions at jmkowalski10@gmail.com. 

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People of Color Affinity Group

Are you a person of color looking to connect with other UUs of color? Please consider joining a newly forming group dedicated to growing a multicultural community and promoting diversity here at FUSIT. For more information, please contact poc@uuithaca.org.

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 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 office@uuithaca.org for more information.

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Side with Love/Shared Plate
 Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard

The November Shared Plate and Side with Love will go to Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard.

Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard is our downtown food pantry, which provides 3 days’ worth of meal staples up to once a month to families in need, and also provides unlimited free perishable food gleaned from local grocery stores and farms. The current need is great. They served 6,302 people last year with meal staples, and numbers are up 12% for this year. With the high need and high food prices, they are using up their financial reserves at an unsustainable pace. The Cupboard is open M-F, staffed by volunteers. FUSIT has regular shifts we cover and could use more volunteers. To volunteer, contact office@uuithaca.org.

Side With Love
We will be collecting the following donations for Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard: toilet paper (individually wrapped is best), zip-top storage bags of all sizes, peanut butter, canned dinners, canned meats/fish, and gluten-free pastas, cereals and snacks at each Sunday service in November. These will be delivered to Ithaca Kitchen Cupboard at the end of November.

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LGBTQ+ Days of Remembrance

Transgender Awareness Month November 1–30 is a time to celebrate the trans community and their history, while also advocating for their rights.  Transgender Parent Day November 2 is a day to honor transgender parents and parents of transgender children.  A day to honor all those transgender people whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence during the year, and learning about the violence affecting the transgender community. 

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: Has a mission 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. 
• • 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!