Social Justice Details

Rev. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , Social Justice Minister
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

First Unitarian Church of Portland has been a voice for liberal religion in our community for over 130 years. Our core beliefs about spiritual growth and acting for social justice are reflected in many ways, including our sermons, music and religious education classes. The Social Justice Council, however, is specifically charged with leading the social justice efforts of the congregation. This council is comprised of the leaders of each social justice group (listed below), plus three officers and the Social Justice Minister. Collectively the aim of this governing body is to inspire, educate and mobilize people to build a more democratic, peaceful, equitable and life-sustaining world.

At First Unitarian Church we understand that social justice ministries are by their very nature contextual, relational and dynamic. They emerge when a congregation responds to an injustice experienced by people who know and care deeply about one another. We believe that if we are to change the world, we must be willing to commit ourselves to something far more revolutionary than the changing of laws and policies: we need to embrace—and surrender to--Love. Transformative, uniting, healing, mountain-moving Love. In order to facilitate this act of faith, all leaders in the Social Justice Program agree to abide by the Social Justice Leader Covenent.

Social Justice Council at annual retreat:

SJ_Council_Retreat_2011

Social Justice Council at Menucha Retreat Center 2011

Bottom row: Curt Bell, Evie Zaic, Patrick McNamara, Marcia Meyers, Rev. Kate Lore, Bill Michtom

Middle row: Henry Amick, Martha Jones, Dale Wright, Ann Su, Helena Hessle

Top row: Nicole Bowmer, Linda McKim Bell, Amanda Trujillo, Michael Wade, Patricia Bellemy, Corey Cliffe, Kirsten Carpentier. Tess Beistel

Details of Social Justice Program Structure: How We Do Things

Effective Social Justice Ministry

Social Justice Council Mission

Social Justice Leadership Covenant

Social Justice Program Structures

Social Justice Program Director Position Description

Action Group Leader Job Description

Action Group Member Job Description

Coming Soon:
Social Justice New Group Procedures
Social Justice Mission, Beliefs, Goals, p. 1
Social Justice Missiion, Beliefs, Goals, p. 2\r\n

Cuba AyUUda
This group holds a religious activities license providing legal travel to Cuba for those affiliated with First Unitarian Church. The purpose of these trips is to share Unitarian Universalism, foster citizen diplomacy, create and maintain friendships, bring much needed supplies to Cubans, and keep the struggles of the Cuban people on the radar screen for U.S. Americans. Contact: Woesha Hampson, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Economic Justice Action Group
The Economic Justice Action Group promotes fair and just economic policies and practices for all citizens. Current issues include economic globalization, the balance of economic and corporate power, and preservation of our democratic process. Activities are both church- and community-based and include: education and research, publication, direct action, and work for campaign finance reform. Contacts: Michael Wade, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Lynn Hanson, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Jared Gardner, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
>>The Real Wealth of Portland Project is subgroup of EJAG that works to nurture a “Caring Economics”. It works to help Portland recognize the economic value of justice, equity and environmental sustainability by promoting use of credit unions, local banks and environmental sustainability. Contact: Jared Garner, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    or Marcia Meyers, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

First Share
Fosters congregants supporting each other with their resources, skills and time by encouraging a culture of sharing. Our aim is for our Church to become a more resilient community and resource in our city. To get involved, contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Henry Amick, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Read Our Monthly First Share Newsletter

Freedom for Choice Action Network
Works to promote and preserve freedom of choice for women and families through education and advocacy for reproductive rights. Everyone is welcome to join us. Contact: Bill Michtom, 503-975-1529.

Homeless Action Group
This group provides outreach, support and advocacy for homeless persons in our community. Activities include supporting Thirteen Salmon Family Center, our church’s special ministry for homeless families, and educating our church about the growing homelessness crisis. Contact: Chris Dickey, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
>>Thirteen Salmon Family Center: The Thirteen Salmon Family Center is a project of the Homeless Action Group, working in cooperation with Portland Homeless Family Solutions (PHFS). PHFS operates Thirteen Salmon as a day center at 1st Unitarian Church and the Goose Hollow Family (night) Shelter at 1st United Methodist Church. Both shelters operate year round. Volunteers are always needed. Contact Allie Brucculeri, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
Or, to volunteer, alt click here for Volunteer Form. For more information on all of these activities, contact Contact: Chris Dickey at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Linda Craig, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Rev. Kate Lore This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mental Health Action Group
The work done by the Mental Health Action Group is a response to the calling of the first principle of Unitarian Universalism: to affirm and promote “the inherent worth and dignity of every person.” Our mission is To promote awareness and understanding of mental health issues across the lifespan within the church and community. Contact: Martha Jones at 503-775-8468 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Peace Action Group
The Peace Action Group brings information and events to the attention of church members in support of our Sixth Principle, “peace and justice in the world community.” The recent focus of Peace Action has been on the war in Iraq and related issues. In addition to a monthly work meeting, a potluck is held one Saturday each month. Contacts: Tess Beistel, 503-257-2042; Shirlee Geiger at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Carolyn Gillen at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
>>UUs for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME) is a subgroup of the Peace Action Group and works within the Unitarian Universalist community to promote peace and justice in Israel-Palestine, including a settlement of the conflict affirming the equality, dignity, freedom and security of all peoples involved. Contact: Curt Bell at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Unitarian Pride
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) Group of First Church, a “Welcoming Congregation.” The mission of this group is to provide outreach to LGBT and questioning youth and adults, and to be a visible presence at coffee hour. Group members organize social activities—both within the congregation and in the greater community—to help LGBT members connect with one another. Contact: Scott Winters, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

UU Global AIDS Coalition
Provides education and action options to address the global AIDS epidemic, and also raises funds to support AIDS orphans in Kenya. Contacts: Kirsten Carpentier, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Community for Earth
Based on the Seventh Principle, this group strives to connect our spiritual community to the sacred earth and inspire personal and congregational change through deeds, commitment to education and faith in our ability to change the world for ourselves and our children. Meetings occur regularly during the church year on the fourth Sunday of each month. For more information, please contact Chris Abernathy, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

UU Service Committee (UUSC)
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is the human rights arm of our movement. UUSC works to advance justice worldwide by combining human rights education and advocacy in the United States with direct support for grassroots initiatives. Opportunities abound. Join us and help sow the seeds of change. Contacts: Evie Zaic, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Helena Lee, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Outside In
Mission Statement: To help homeless youth and other marginalized people move towards improved health and self –sufficiency.

Outside In is a service organization with historic ties to the First Unitarian Church of Portland.

First Church has had a long history of involvement with social justice issues in Portland. When it was discovered that the arsonist responsible for the fire that all but destroyed the Church sanctuary on a July night in 1965 was a young transient, it was not out of the ordinary that his story should motivate members of the church to turn their attention to the growing problems facing the disenfranchised members of our community. Thus the Charix coffeehouse was established. Located in the "undercroft," the space below the sanctuary of what we now know as the Eliot Chapel, it quickly became a popular gathering place for many of the young people who had "dropped out of society." Doctors in the congregation soon recognized the growing need for health care for these teenagers. With locally raised money, they began providing medical services for those in need. Outside In was the result of their efforts.

With this small beginning Outside In has grown into a well-respected organization that provides services for more than 10,000 people each year. We, as a church, can take pride in our involvement in it's founding. This is an important part of our history and, because of the growth of the church in recent years, it is important to be reminded of these connections.

For more information about Outside In’s programs and their impact on the community, visit www.OutsideIn.org.