Ministry for Earth & Social Justice Ministry Volunteer Opportunity Fair
Volunteer Fair
Committee on Ministry (CoM): Report to the Congregation June 2026
Section IV of the Love into Action Long Range Plan
This is the fifth of the CoM’s reports to the board and the congregation on UUC’s progress on our Long-Range Plan, “Love into Action” covering Goal IV: Equity, Justice, and Peace for the Planet.
The Equity, Justice, and Peace for the Planet section of UUC’s Long Range Plan is executed by our Ministry for Earth (MFE) leaders, Ellie Syverud and Kim Grover. Ellie and Kim lead a handful of consistently active volunteers on a variety of activities that are blossoming beyond the efforts stated in the Plan. Below are some accomplishments from the 2025-2026 congregation year. If you would like to join them, please contact them at environment@uucharlottesville.org.
Social Action Collection: Through a survey open to all, Rivanna Conservation Alliance was awarded MFE’s SAC recipient this year. In May, we raised $3600 for RCA to continue their work to maintain and support the habitat of Charlottesville’s river.
Farmer’s Market: Thanks to the efforts of Marguerite David, UUCville hosted two farmer’s markets this past spring. UVA’s Morven Farm brought their kitchen garden produce to sell on our grounds following Sunday services. It was so successful, they sold out! More in the coming year are being planned. Additionally, we are collaborating on the possibility of becoming a distribution site for a Community Supported Agriculture for both our members and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Newsletters: Each month, there was a new MFE newsletter sent to over 60 subscribers, linked in the weekly bulletin, and available on UUCville’s website. Ellie covered topics such as local and global environmental news, influencing critical state climate legislation, participation in local conservation workdays, help on going solar, and much more.
Climate Future Film Festival: UUCVille MFE co-sponsored with the Cville 100 Climate Alliance on their film festival hosted at the Northside Library in April. Our member Kara Menfi worked behind the scenes on this successful event with over 50 people attending the screening of 5 short climate films.
Sustainable Eating Potlucks: A social gathering with a purpose! Three times last year, MFE held a congregational potluck following services. The intention is to bring a dish to share where sustainability is the first ingredient: vegan, vegetarian, and/or locally sourced and/or organic. Our goal is to give our friends in the congregation the opportunity to learn more sustainable recipes, be more thoughtful about the food they purchase and prepare, and learn something from the dishes made by others.
Making our Hospitality Program more sustainable: Thanks to weekly dedicated time and effort by Tamera Helms, Joan Kast, Sharon Helt, Ellie, Kim, and David Schutt, we are regularly converting our UUCville kitchen food waste to compost. With the laundering support of Sharon Helt, we have introduced the use of cloth napkins. MFE will continue and hopefully expand this effort in 2026-2027.
Advocacy: Ellie led the charge and many followed. In 2025-2026, approximately 250 postcards were written and mailed to voters to advocate for environmental policies and candidates who support them.