Mission Statement
The UUSB Social Justice Committee inspires, leads, organizes, and educates the congregation on important, timely, social justice issues, as well as working with the wider community.
We are dedicated to justice and equity, we engage in activities involving bus transportation, food security, equal rights, climate change, healthcare and other democratic issues with faith organizations, and local and statewide groups.
Statement on Racial Justice
We at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor are appalled at the violence and systemic racism perpetrated against black people and people of color in our country, exemplified recently by the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, and Stephon Clark, among many others.
We mourn the loss of countless lives associated with recent and continued injustices against black and other people of color and condemn all acts of hatred. We send our compassionate condolences with renewed commitment to join the struggle for peace, justice, and liberty for black people in this country, who should be able to live freely, without the persisting threat of violence.
Our faith calls us to actively ‘affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person’ and to stand for ‘justice, equity, and compassion in human relations for all people.’ In living out those principles, we actively struggle to identify and defeat racism and systems of oppression in our community and society at large.
Approved August 19, 2020
Ongoing Actions
Community Bean Suppers
Serves an average of 65 free meals to the hungry every 4th and 5th Saturday of the month. Crew of eight volunteers work 28 hours. Milk and fruit purchased by Social Justice Committee. Food donations of about $110 each month from members and friends.
Bag Lunches
Serves 65+ people, the bag lunch program sends all Bean Supper attendees home with lunch for the next day, every month on the 4th and 5th Saturday. Crew of four volunteers work six hours per meal. Paid for by the Social Justice Committee, roughly $50 per meal.
The Deacons’ Fund
Provided $1,500 of donations for members in need, and a variety of community concerns including: the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter, housing assistance, holiday gifts for staff, Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast, and the Bangor Hunger Fund.
The Griswold Fund
Targeted to poor women, administered by the minister, provided $1500 and served 10 women from Bangor to pay rent, fix automobiles, provide food, pay utilities, and fuel oil.
The Minister’s Discretionary Fund
Were used in various ways. The Christmas Eve service provided $1050 used to help 35 people by providing food, shelter, transportation, and medical care.
Political Issues & Response
Inform the congregation and/or community of world, state, or local political issues that warrant contacting legislators or getting out the vote. Recent efforts include postcard campaigns, phonebank volunteering, city council meetings, and more.
Free & Reduced Rates for Facility Use
Our church has provided over $10,000 of free and reduced-rate rentals for a wide variety of area organizations and events:
- Fresh Start/AA
- CODA Support Group
- Mainely Parents Support Group
- NAACP Advocacy Group
- PICA
- Peace & Justice Center
- City of Bangor – Homeless Outreach Caseworker
- Greater Bangor Area Housing Coalition
- Needlepoint Sanctuary
- Petition Notary Events
NAACP
15 members and friends attended the annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfast at the University of Maine in Orono. $150 were donated from the Deacons’ Fund to the breakfast.
Second Sunday Food Collection
Non-perishable food items are collected monthly on the 2nd Sunday for delivery to the Ecumenical Food Cupboard, which is located at the Hammond Street Congregational Church. Since May of 2020, over 8,000 lbs. of food have been donated.
Past Actions
Ride The Bus! Month
A joint initiative of Transportation for All, the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor, and other congregations in Faith Linking in Action, a group of Bangor-area congregations and other institutions working to address root causes of poverty. Transportation for All, which brings together bus riders, drivers and supporters to expand and promote public transportation in Greater Bangor. Our own Suzanne Kelly, Social Justice committee chair, spent the month of November 2015 riding the bus exclusively to help call attention to this cause. Her story here.
Soup Kitchen
Once a month lunch at the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen of the Salvation Army, serving an average of 125 people… Six volunteers working approximately 24 hours. Food purchased from Social Justice Committee budget. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our volunteers were unable to continue preparing and serving meals at the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen, however, monthly donations for $150 have been donated to cover the costs of the food we used to prepare.
December Holiday Feasts
Serves over 100 people each year. Free to the hungry. Requires about 25 volunteers working about 100 hours. Milk purchased by Social Justice Committee. Food donations by members/friends of about $300.