This Sun., Jun. 12, will be a day of service at UUCF.
- Food Drive – 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: UUCF’s monthly Food Drive benefiting local partners. Sign up to donate here.
- Food Justice Project Info Session – during coffee hour, 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Come help the Food Justice Project explore which activities most inspire UUCF members. Fill out this survey to indicate your interest in volunteering for food justice-related volunteer activities. Snacks will be provided.
- Get to Know the UU Afghan Refugee Resettlement Team – 12:15-1:15 p.m., in the Sanctuary Building’s Music & Arts Room and on Zoom: Members of the UU Afghan Refugee Resettlement Team, along with project partners, will talk about the team’s support for two Afghan families resettling in Northern Virginia. Some family members are expected to be there. RSVP here to attend the event either virtually or in person.
In the book “Emergent Strategy,” adrienne maree brown writes, “What you pay attention to grows.” In times of despair, I seek to pay attention to the good works I can do and the inspiration that guides me. When it seems like the world is falling apart, I always know that my actions are something I can control. And I have seen, when our actions are coordinated, we transform our environment. It isn’t quick, but it is absolutely true that our world is shaped by what we choose to do together.
We are doing beautiful things.
Since the UUCF Food Drive started in May 2020, the congregation has collected approximately 55,000 pounds and $123,000 worth of food, diapers, clothing and other essentials. Beyond the numbers, what truly touches the heart is the meaning of this work. Olga, from Food Justice DMV, said, “Our goal … is that immigrant families do not lack for anything – especially food.” In a blog post from last October, UUCF’s Mia French described volunteering with her family: “I want our family to live lives of courage.”
This month, the Food Drive collection will support migrants from Texas who are being bused to DC as part of a political stunt by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey. DC has been receiving buses carrying 30-100 people a day from those states, 6 days a week. DC’s mutual aid network is struggling to meet the needs and could use UUCF’s support. Here is an excellent article about their work. Through partners at Food Justice DMV, the June Food Drive will support this work in DC.
The congregation’s work with Afghan families has also been deeply important for the families. The families know that many refugees from Afghanistan are struggling right now with very little support from overwhelmed resettlement agencies. UUCF members have also found that their work with Afghan families brings deep meaning and connection, helping us hold in our hearts the good we can do despite despair.
What gives you meaning? What fulfills your sense of purpose? Social justice is spiritual exercise. What we pay attention to grows. What would you like to pay attention to? This is the question UUCF’s social justice ministry is asking with every event on Jun. 12. If you want to find some place to plug in to any of UUCF’s social justice efforts, please reach out to me at abatcher@uucf.org.
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