The Social Justice Leadership Team (SJLT) exists to inform the congregation about important social and humanitarian needs and issues and to provide avenues for constructive service and action. 

SJLT Activities

Side with Love
Each month, we collect donations for a local nonprofit organization. In October we are collecting items for Planting Seeds. We will be collecting donations of winter clothing for Planting Seeds, a Community Organization working in the field of recovery and addiction. Planting Seeds works to unite the Recovery Community in Ithaca and help individuals navigate their way from the culture of addiction to the culture of recovery. Coats, hats, gloves, scarves, thermal wear and blankets are in need.

Items will be collected during Sunday services in October.

8th Principle Action Ministry
The 8th Principle Action Ministry (8PAM) has met several times over the summer as a Democracy Circle, continuing the postcard writing effort organized started in the spring. We also explored ways to mobilize disenfranchised voters for the November election by connecting with various UU groups and national organizations. The Democracy Circle will continue to meet in the Fall after Sunday service starting on September 15 at noon. Look for an announcement as to the location. Also look for future program offerings including book discussion and film viewing opportunities. Contact joAnn for more information or to offer ideas or suggestions at jmkowalski10@gmail.com.

Heat Pumps
Work on converting the fossil fuel powered heating system in the Annex to electric heat pumps continues. Almost all of the inside work has been completed. The contractor, Simply Installs, worked above and beyond a normal workday schedule and, when converting the ground floor spaces, did a good job of minimizing disruption to the pre-school’s programs and operations. Now we’re waiting for a crane to remove the outdated, existing (and very very heavy) HVAC equipment from the roof, and to raise the new compressors for the Air Source Heat Pumps onto the roof, out of sight and hearing. When complete, we will not only have equipment sized properly for the current uses of that building, but we will have also eliminated, in that building, the direct use of fossil fuels.

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!

Environmental Interest Circle (EIC) Meeting
Wednesday, September 4, at 7 pm
in the Parlor and over Zoom
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 congregation’s role in the greater community. We meet on the first Wednesday of each month, at 7pm. If you are interested in learning more about being an environmental steward and would like to attend these meetings, please contact Matt Franke-Singer at mfs@twcny.rr.com. All are welcome! 

Environmental Interest Circle Event
Are you interested in how intergenerational conversations can contribute to building a sustainable community? On September 8th, local Sunrise Ithaca organizer, Ace Dufresne, will be with us at noon in the Annex. Don’t know what the Sunrise Ithaca organization does? Ace will explain. Climate justice issues, the Ithaca Green New Deal, crossing the generational divide all will be touched on and Ace will also have resources to help attendees get involved. Please join us at 12:00, September 8th, in the Annex.

Volunteering 

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.