We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person.  We believe that every person should have the same rights and privileges, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religious beliefs, or physical capabilities.  We work to bring better awareness and understanding about issues of fairness and equality.  If you believe what we believe, we hope you will join us at our next committee meeting.

Examples of our activities include group volunteer days at Transitions and Harvest Hope, the Inclement Weather Shelter, and the Share the Plate Program.

There’s a lot going on with Social Action!

• Our portion of Families Helping Families, the Palmetto Project’s annual campaign to make Christmas jollier for families facing economic challenge, is off to a great start–so thank you for that! The campaign is a little shorter than usual this year, with only two Sunday remaining in the campaign. But since December 8 is the deadline Sunday by which all gifts should be returned to church, only 1 Sunday– December 1–remains in which to take an ornament and adopt a ‘giftee.’ If you’re taking an ornament, thank you so much!–but please be sure to have the table volunteer mark you off, and be sure to take a copy of the gifting guidelines. And when returning gifts, please be sure to mark each gift with the name and the FHF eight digit number on the ornament, so that your gift doesn’t go astray.

• Also ongoing now is the annual Guest At Your Table campaign. GAYT is an important program in support of the UU Service Committee’s projects around the globe. This year donations will help the Marshallese youth climate activists of Jo-Jikum; the Pink Haven Coalition, working for the safety of trans and gender-queer folks endangered here in the US; Queer Svit, doing similar work for those at risk due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and the Haitian Bridge Alliance, which (in partnership with the UUSC) is bringing more transparency and equity to US immigration processes. You can view a short video introduction here: https://vimeo.com/1005902433 Donations may be made via the dedicated envelopes and donation box, or via the green “Donate” button at the top of the UUCC home webpage.

• Lastly, we believe that America deserves that prospective nominees to high office be fully and appropriately considered by the Senate, as mandated by the US Constitution; and that this matter is not in any way a partisan consideration. If you agree, there is an easy way by which you can tell your senators that we them to exercise the due diligence which is their normal duty. Senator Graham’s office may be reached at (202) 224-5972, while for Senator Scott the number is (202) 224-6121. Other Senators’ numbers, such as that of incoming Majority Leader John Thune, may be located here: https://www.senate.gov/general/resources/pdf/senators_phone_list.pdf

More Upcoming Events

Fourth Sunday of the Month Following the Service (approx 12:15pm)

The Social Action Committee will meet in person 15 minutes after the end of the UUCC service in the Sanctuary observing indoor Covid protocols.  We will stream the event as well.   Meeting details should be on the Meeting Info page under News in the dropdown above.  Questions?  Contact Kevin McKinney or Connie Quirk at socialaction@uucolumbia.org for more info.

Harvest Hope Food Donations Needed Please bring your donations, such as any canned food items; rice; pasta; disposable baby diapers.  Do NOT bring expired items, glass containers, or fresh produce.  The Harvest Hope grocery cart can be found under the windows in the social hall. SCUUJA News Our own Rev, Dr. Pippin Whitaker, along with Rev. Dr. Jean Heriot, co-founded the South Carolina Unitarian Universalist Justice Alliance (SCUUJA) in 2021.  Since then, Rev. Whitaker has moved on to a settled ministerial position for the UU Fellowship of Athens (Georgia).  Rev. Heriot remains in her position with SCUUJA and they have hired Rev. Nathan Woodliff-Stanleyas their new Executive Director.  Learn more about Rev. Nathan here. Be sure to see our Past Social Justice Activities and Charitable Activities

Please Donate to the Winter Shelter The Social Action Committee is again soliciting donations of lightly used clothing – especially hats, gloves and coats – current magazines, unused personal-sized toiletries, backpacks and luggage (with wheels) for the overnight homeless shelter. Please place donations in the basket in the Social Hall. The facility is now being called the Rapid Shelter Columbia Overflow as small, longer-term sleeping units have been set up outside the larger shelter building. The city-funded shelter, managed by Transitions, is open for adults from November 1 to April 1 when the temperature falls below 40F. Pick up of a sizable donation can be arranged. Volunteers will be needed during shelter check-in and nights we have clothing tables, from about 5:30-7:30 p.m. Contact Tom Clements, tomclements329@cs.com, or cell 803-240-7268. Thank you.