I have been reflecting this month on the many ways our congregation works with the local community, and would like to highlight a few of them.

We recently concluded nearly 2 weeks hosting 40 men as part of the PACEM winter shelter program. PACEM is a local organization that coordinates a cold weather shelter and services, by partnering with over 80 local faith and community groups. When UUCville is hosting the shelter, we clear out much of Summit House in order to provide our guests with a warm, safe place to sleep, and serve dinner every night. Although groups and individuals from UUCville provide many of the meals, we also partner with other churches and community groups to provide the food. This is a wonderful example of putting our UU values into practice, and building relationships with other faith groups. I’d particularly like to thank our UUCville folks who organized the PACEM shelter – it takes a lot of work and coordination to make it all happen, and we really appreciate your time and energy. Also, thanks to those who helped with food and serving, and getting Summit House prepared and then restored afterwards.

Back in the fall, I was glad to attend a couple of meetings focused on another local group: IMPACT. IMPACT is a group made up of over 25 local faith communities, which works to create significant social change through unified direct action. UUCville has a number of people involved throughout the year, studying local issues to decide what to tackle each year, and how to approach the issues. In the spring, there is a large, public meeting called the Nehemiah Action, where IMPACT invites local office holders (Charlottesville City Council and Albemarle Board of Supervisors). At the meeting, the focus issues for the year are presented and the lawmakers are asked to support specific commitments. Over the years, focus issues have included transit, affordable housing, community safety and addiction treatment. UUCville always has a large contingent at the spring meeting, and I hope we will again. Also, a big thanks to our IMPACT year-round members for their hard work and dedication to improving our local community for all its residents.

Finally, we have ongoing partnerships with other community organizations like Sin Barreras, City of Promise and the Public Housing Association of Residents (PHAR). All of these are a way for UUCville to put “love into action”, and work for a stronger, more just, community. I appreciate the dedication of all our members and friends who are involved in these programs.

Submitted by: Carol Gardner, President