Social Justice at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester 

One thing that Julia Ward Howe and Theodore Parker can teach us…is that the time it will take us to address issues of injustice is exactly equal to our lifespan. 

Social Justice was designated as one of five key ministries at the Unitarian Fellowship of West Chester (UFWC) by the congregation in 2003. Accordingly, the Board of Trustees voted to form a Social Justice Committee in 2004. Tom Townsend is currently serving as chair of that committee.
 
Historically, Social Justice has taken many paths at UFWC. At one time there was a committee, but this was later replaced by Task Forces, which pursued specific projects and had to be renewed yearly.  The new Social Justice Committee will serve as an umbrella structure to envision, promote, coordinate, and support social justice efforts. Issues being pursued currently at both the local and global levels are listed below.

Those interested in being involved with a social justice issue are encouraged to contact the committee, and we welcome you to join the committee and attend the monthly meeting, which is on the first Sunday at 7:00 at the Fellowship.
 

Ongoing projects within the Fellowship include:  

• The Sunday service on March 6, 2005 by Dawn Kriebel and the Rev. Larry Smith dealt with “Contemporary Slavery”. Here’s what you can do about slavery.

• The Sunday Service on June 10, 2005 coordinated by Tom Townsend dealt with "Death with Dignity". Here's what you can do about planning for a peaceful end of life:

At the June 10, 2005, service a panel of UFWC physicians and attorneys discussed the medical and legal implications of "death with dignity". The conclusion is that each of us needs to have 1) a living will and 2) a health care power of attorney. You can find information about this issue and samples of both of these documents by going to this website: PA Dept. of Aging. Then scroll down and click on the link "Living Wills Brochure" for more explanations and sample documents.

Ongoing projects outside the Fellowship include:   

Local Projects:   

• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Issues
  The Fellowship supports lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons through a variety of programs.
  

• Shelters for the Homeless
  Every month the Fellowship provides a lunch at the Salvation Army and a dinner at the Safe Harbor shelter in West Chester.
  

• Habitat for Humanity
  Four times a year the Fellowship works at a Habitat for Humanity worksite in Chester County.
  

• Fair-Trade Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa 
  Fair-Trade beverages are always served at the Fellowship and are available for sale in the foyer.
  

• Youth Group Projects 
  The Youth Group participates in several Social Justice projects in the West Chester area each year.
  

Global Projects:

• Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
  UUSC is OUR charity. Because it receives no government or faith-based support, it acts totally independently and goes around the world to do social justice work where others fear to tread.
  

Past local projects include: 

• Women’s Reproductive Rights Task Force 
  Fellowship members actively supported Planned Parenthood.

• Earth Stewardship Task Force 
  During its 3-year tenure the Earth Stewardship group performed several worthy tasks for the Fellowship.

• Welcoming Congregation Task Force
  In 2000 the Fellowship completed the formal UUA procedures, including eighteen 2-hour seminars, to become a Welcoming Congregation (a congregation that welcomes people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender).