| Social Action at Unitarian Universalist
Church West: Statement of Purpose
To foster and promote the Unitarian Universalist principles of justice,
equity, compassion, and interdependence within and outside our church
community and to facilitate participation in social action programs
by members or friends who seek to be involved in social action issues
through UUCW.
EARTH
MINISTRY
contact: Amy Taivalkoski
UUCW Solar Panels Project
Read the UUCW solar site assessment
report 
Did you know?
UUCW is the first church in the metropolitan Milwaukee area to purchase
100% "green power" from the WE Energies "Power For
Tomorrow" renewable energy program!
Read
the press release "Church Energized By Clean, Renewable Electric
Power" 
The mission of UUCW's
Earth Ministry program is to affirm and promote the "respect
for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part."
We do this by focusing on the theological, spiritual, and ethical
aspects of human activities that affect the health and sustainability
of the living earth.
Five Goals of Earth Ministry
- Promote awareness of societal issues for UUs
- Generate commitment for personal lifestyle changes
- Motivate UUs to
community action on environmental issues
- Build a connection between spiritual practice and environmental
consciousness
- Build awareness of and rectify environmental injustices
Earth Ministry recommended links
- Newdream
Great site with lots of information on actions you can take and
why, environmental products, policy issues, and so on.
- Seventh Principle
Project
Learn all about the Unitarian Universalist Association's Seventh
Principle Project which developed the Green Sanctuary program.
- Grist
Magazine
A wonderful environmental magazine with a sense of humor. Good
way to keep abreast of current stories.
- Midwest Renewable Energy Association
A local Wisconsin organization which offers many workshops on
sustainable building and renewable energy. This organization also
puts on the Renewable Energy Fair June 17-19, 2005
INTERWEAVE WEST
contact: Jim Wend, Susan Endes
Interweave West seeks to find ways that our congregation can do
to more fully live out our UU
principles, especially with regard to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and
Transgender (LGBT) issues.
Our Church believes in the inherent worth and dignity of all persons.
We have a long-standing commitment to the full inclusion and affirmation
of all persons without regard to sexual orientation or gender identity.
Interweave Sunday Evening Film Series
All are invited to attend these film showings!
LGBT initiatives at UUCW
- Interweave West monthly book/movie/play discussion series
- Welcoming Congregation workshops
- Multiple Sunday services devoted to LGBT issues
- Resolution
in support of same-gender marriage
- Trips to productions of “The Laramie Project” &
“Baltimore Waltz”
- Volunteer at Pridefest
- Co-sponsored workshop with Action Wisconsin on proposed change
to the Wisconsin constitution banning same-gender marriage and
domestic partnerships
- Provide space and services to LGBT couples for commitment ceremonies
Welcoming Congregation
UUCW is currently working towards being officially recognized
by the UUA as a Welcoming Congregation. What does it mean to be
a Welcoming Congregation? (excerpted from: Unitarian Universalism:
A welcoming place for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people
by Rev. Scott Alexander.)
- To be inclusive and expressive of the concerns of bisexual,
gay, lesbian, and transgender persons at every level of congregational
life.
- To celebrate the lives of all people and welcome same-gender
couples, recognizing their committed relationships and equally
affirming displays of caring and affection with regard to sexual
orientation.
- To seek to nurture ongoing dialogue between bisexual, gay, heterosexual,
lesbian, and transgender persons, and create deeper trust and
sharing.
- To advocate for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people,
attending to legislative developments and working to promote justice,
freedom, and equality in the larger society.
- To speak out when the rights of bisexual, gay, lesbian, and
transgender people are at stake.
OTHER SOCIAL ACTION PROGRAMS
- Racial Inclusiveness
The goal of the Racial Inclusiveness Program is to encourage discussion
of the harmful effects of white power and privilege and institutionalized
racism so that our members will develop more knowledge of diverse
cultures, foster individual relationships, and engage with the
greater community, multiculturally.
Contact: Becky Steffes
- Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County / SOPHIA
Cooperating Congregations of Waukesha County is an ecumenical
ministry committed to serving people in need in Waukesha County.
SOPHIA
(Stewards Of Prophetic, Hopeful, Intentional Action) is also a
Waukesha County ecumenical organization, but working for justice
through policy advocacy.
Contacts: B. J. Ermenc and Becky Steffes
- Tutoring Program
UUCW members
and friends tutor at Goodrich Elementary School.
Contact: Joan Deardorff
- Habitat For Humanity
A number of UUCW
members volunteer to work on building Habitat projects.
Contact: Dave Rierson
- Guest House Meal Program
UUCW adults
and youth provide and serve food to the homeless approximately
four times a year.
Contact: Eileen Gleeson
- Wauwatosa Food Pantry
UUCW maintains
a food collection point for the Wauwatosa Food Pantry.
Contact: Karen Zimmerman
- Bag Lunch Distribution
Our neighbors at Trinity-Pilgrim United Methodist Church distribute
lunches to central-city residents. UUCW
assists with the deliveries.
Contact: Dennis Briley
- Social Action Endowment Fund
The Social Action Committee awards grants from the earnings of
this fund, currently valued at approximately $58,000.
Contact any member of the Social Action Committee to propose a
grant.
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