Committee on Ministry Report to the Congregation

Section III of the Love into Action Long Range Plan

This is the fourth of the Committee on Ministry’s reports to the board and the congregation on UUC’s progress on our Long-Range Plan, “Love into Action.”

It covers Goal III–Equity, Justice, and Peace for All People–the ways we aspire to promote equity, justice and peace for all people, with a special focus on

• antiracism and justice for members of the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities
• reproductive rights
• justice movements

Even though current national challenges have led us to focus on local and national protests and actions, there is notable progress on this goal:

• We host a support group for people who are transitioning or have transitioned.
• Our robust food justice activity includes meal packets for family members of UVA patients, our food pantry, the “soup kitchen” teams that provide meals to The Haven, and our Sunday food sharing at our own altar.
• We have actively supported IMPACT and its priorities of affordable housing and public transportation.
• Adult Faith Development classes have helped us build skill in using our privilege and identifying and combatting bias. Teach-In “Speak Up!” helped participants better respond when they experience or witness disrespectful behavior, particularly relative to bias or prejudice. “Using Privilege for Good” and “Microaggressions: It’s not Just Everyday Rudeness” stretched our understanding and built our skills.
• We established a Mosaic Squad which is active in coordinating anti-authoritarian actions; we support its action webpage and its weekly emails announcing training and protests, and we host Indivisible Charlottesville training on campus.
• Our initial alliance with a City of Promise family remains active and strong.

  

• Our members lead and teach Sin Barreras English as a Second Language preschool in our church, and provide transportation.
• Plans and fund-raising for our summer Appalachian Service Project (ASP) are proceeding.
• Monthly Social Action collections have supported IMPACT, Birth Sisters, PHAR (Public Housing Association of Residents,) Blue Ridge Abortion Fund, and RISE Foundation.
• Post card writing to voters is ongoing.
• We Held an Adult Faith Development class on microaggression

What’s still ahead of us?

• Capitalizing on our City of Promise partnership, perhaps with a second team
• Providing further advocacy training and invitations to congregants
• Establishing committees or teams to address
  • Racial Justice Outreach
  • Reproductive Rights and Justice
  • LGTQ+ Rights and Justice
• Increasing opportunities for congregational proximity to the communities we prioritize.
• Embracing additional opportunities for our congregation to build awareness of inequities in our society.
• Continuing to publicize and celebrate success.

Yours in faith,

The Committee on Ministry

Barb Alag, Laura Horn, Pam McIntire

4/27/2026