Unitarian Universalists have a rich history of putting our beliefs into action for social justice. The Mountain Vista UU congregation is no exception. For many years, we have worked for justice in a variety of community endeavors. MVUU members both actively participate in and help support a balanced group of non-profit organizations: those that provide direct services to people and those that advocate for needed structural changes.
We take an issue oriented approach. Four teams have been established focusing on social justice activities in the following areas, as determined by a survey, to be of most concern to the congregation. Volunteers sign up to participate for each team.
These Teams Are:
- Environmental Concerns: Focusing specifically on Climate Change.
- Democracy: Includes many interrelated issues: Economic Inequality, Education, Health Care, Racism and Patriarchy.
- Immigration: Concerned with both direct help for immigrants seeking asylum and long term changes in immigration law and policy.
- Gun Violence/ Gun Safety: A very active group following on-going events and supporting proposed legislation.
Every Sunday donations are collected for selected non-profit organizations. These organizations receive a donation for a period of one month. Recipients are determined by a combination of considerations. Two organizations have been designated as strategic change agents and receive two months of collections each: Pima County Interfaith Civic Education Organization (PCICEO) and the Unitarian Universalist Justice Arizona (UUJAZ) network. The remaining months’ donations will vary with particular events and concern of the teams. Donation recipients are approved by a Justice Issues Assembly (JIA) meeting that is open to all members of the Congregation.
Our Justice Coordinating Council (JCC) helps to ensure we are making the most of our resources by coordinating with the four Social Action Teams and the selected non-profit organizations chosen by our membership.
