UUCville is establishing a new engagement with City of Promise, a local organization with the goal “to make a positive impact on generational poverty by creating and supporting a model in which the homes, the community, and the schools work efficiently together to benefit students and families by supporting basic needs and academic achievement”.
I am a member of this UU Congregation because I believe …in our principles. In my experience I have found that when I lean into a social injustice and want to plunge my hands in, I can appeal to this community for help, and they will have my back. I trust this community to have their eyes on other crying issues and I know that the solutions they propose will be worthy of my attention and energy. My pledge represents to me, my commitment to this community in pursuit of truth and standing on the side of love.
Each year that I volunteer with our congregation for the Appalachian Service Project I’m surprised by the spiritual growth and personal insights that the experience inspires. It is deeply collaborative work – all of us learning about construction but also growing together and revealing our unique talents over the week. Some love to use a power tool, others to play with kids or talk to the families we volunteer with. It is a delight to see how each member of the team contributes in their own unique ways. The experience is a reminder that justice work at its best is a joyful, life giving practice.
There are so many wonderful reasons why we joined UUCville as soon as we moved to Charlottesville, three years ago. We would like to highlight our participation in the Ministry For the Earth, and attendance at the first climate justice workshop, assisting in creating environmental goals for our church’s long range planning. UUCville has also connected us with the Rivanna Conservation Alliance, with whom we removed invasive species and planted new trees., and finally, with the Community Climate Collaborative for developing local solutions to climate change. These activities support our commitment to environmental care.
I began attending TJMC soon after I moved to Charlottesville in Fall of 2011. My friend Satyendra Huja introduced me to Elizabeth Breeden when I asked how to get involved in social justice programs. Soon after, I was engaged in PACEM, Soup Kitchen, Food Pantry and Back to School Bash, four excellent ways to participate in hands-on activities that promote equity and justice in our community. As a bonus, I’ve met many local folks doing the same work.
Appalachia Service Project (ASP) was the greatest bonding experience I’ve had at UUCville. I made so many memories with the YRUU group while at the same time helping people. I believe ASP was the best spent week of my Summer for the last two years.