Interfaith Partnerships

The UU Congregation of Charlottesville collaborates with other faith communities, both as an active member and partner with interfaith organizations and in direct relationships with individual faith communities.

Impact

IMPACT is a multi-faith coalition of more than 30 local congregations, organizing to empower citizens to create significant change through direct action. UUCville was a founding members of IMPACT and the leadership and involvement of our members has helped build strong relationships across racial, ethnic, socio-economic and religious lines. IMPACT provides our congregation with the tools we need to engage in effective advocacy around issues of local concern, including, most recently, affordable housing, transportation, and providing treatment for addiction.

UUCville members Rev. Susan Karlson and Kelsey Cowger are the current and immediate past co-presidents of Impact. Numerous UUCville members turn out for important Impact actions and events, including Impact’s signature event, the annual Nehemiah Action.

PACEM

Pacem (People and Congregations Engaged in Ministry) is a grassroots, interfaith organization that coordinates space and volunteers to shelter those in our community experiencing homelessness. UUCville has worked as active member and support of Pacem for many years, providing overnight shelter in Summit House for 30-40 guests House during the fall. Guests typically stay for 2-4 weeks and we work with interfaith partners who help provide dinner.

Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration

UUCville’s minister and choir members are active participants in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration held at Mt. Zion African Baptist Church. Rev. Tim Temerson serves on the planning committee for the worship service and a number of UUCville choir members sing in the MLK Community Choir.

Ebenezer Baptist Church

UUCville has a long-standing partnership with the Ebenezer Baptist Church. Pastor Lehman Bates from Ebenezer has been a good friend of our congregation for many years and he and Rev. Tim participate in an annual pulpit exchange. In addition, Ebenezer volunteers every year to serve dinner to the guests our congregation is hosting from PACEM and UUCville donates to the Back-to-School Backpack Program and Thanksgiving baskets for families in need that Ebenezer helps coordinate. In recent years, UUCville has participated in Ebenezer’s initiative to support local black farmers.