Unitarian Universalist Congregation
of the South Jersey Shore

Social Action Issues

May 8, 2010 - 2nd Annual Plant Swap and Sale!

Here are some of the social justice issues near and dear to our hearts:

Here's what we have been doing this past year:

In the past year our Social Justice Committee has seen a dramatic increase in membership, activities, and congregational support. We have far surpassed the goals set in our original 5-year-plan and have become a recognized agent of social justice activism and change in southern New Jersey. We have focused our energies mainly in the areas of Peace, Global Climate Change, Fair Trade, and Abolition of the Death Penalty in New Jersey. Committee members also take turns staffing a table each Sunday after services to provide the congregation with Fair Trade products and information about opportunities for political action.

Our Committee meets after service at 11:30 on the fourth Sunday of the month. The first part of the meeting we focus we work on fine tuning and implementing the initiatives and goals we have set in the areas of Ethical Eating, Animal Rights, and Fair Trade. We also evaluate and take on additional UUA congregational study/action initiatives and priority issues set by the UULMNJ. In the second half of the meeting, beginning at 12:15, we are joined by members of the Coalition for Peace and Justice and the Atlantic City Area Friends Meeting. We welcome this opportunity to come together to strengthen and grow our commitment to fostering peace in our community and abroad.

Two subcommittees have been formed to achieve meaningful progress with additional environmental justice goals. The Green Sanctuary Subcommittee and the Global Climate Change Subcommittee meet monthly. (Participation on one of these subcommittees does not require attendance at the main SJC meeting.)

Come join us!

Global Climate Change Subcommittee (Meets one evening/month)

Green Sanctuary Subcommittee (Meets one evening/month)

Green Landscaping Committee

UUCSJS BUTTERFLY GARDEN VOLUNTEERS

Members and friends of our congregation designed, installed, and maintain a butterfly garden at Patriot Lake in Galloway Township. Our garden, located behind the library and near the newly renovated playground, is a gem; it’s alive with beautiful nectar rich flowers and butterflies from May through September to the delight of all that pass by.

Some additional materials to help garden in an environmentally conscious way are the following (link to pdf files):

How to Create a Butterfly Garden

Landscaping for Birds

Why Natives? What are Invasives?

2nd Annual Plant Swap and Sale for Backyard Habitats