Social Justice/ Welcome
Join the Social Justice Team
Through the efforts of the Adult Ed team and the white
privilege study group, many First Church members and friends have gained understanding and compassion around social justice issues. Mary Friedman, Anne Landry, and Susan Kennedy are now forming a Social Justice Team. They feel it’s time to turn our deeper understanding into action that supports our neighbors who face the obstacles of racial, environmental and economic injustice on a daily basis.
The team will meet on Tues, Jan.16 at 7 pm in the Buxton Room. One goal will be to determine intentions for the group, which might include:
• Speak with the voice of scripture. Learn more about what the prophets, Jesus, and New Testament writers say about social justice
• Work alongside other social justice organizations. They know what is needed and how to be effective.
• Become more aware of how deeply racism is woven in to the systems and institutions with which we live. Build on what had been learned through Adult Ed and the white privilege curriculum.
• Catch up on what is happening in the UCC, such as Rev. Kelly Gallagher’s and Rev. Traci Blackmon’s stand at Charlottesville, and Amherst Congregational Church’s declaration of sanctuary.
• Partner with the Mission Team and Adult Ed to find opportunities where we can work for social justice
Mary, Susan, and Anne hope our congregation can work together to turn our faith into action, to reach out with Jesus’ extravagant welcome to all in our community.
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“Our Family’s Story: Finding a Place in America”
We are called as Christians to welcome the stranger. Yet, the economic and social system in which we live makes this complicated. After church on Sunday, January 7 at 11:30 am we will have an opportunity to hear from families who have arrived in the United States in recent years. What conditions in their home country made it difficult to stay? What process did they go through to gain entry into the U.S.? What obstacles did they face upon arrival? Were they able to use the skills and training they brought with them for jobs in the U.S.? Did they receive help from any Americans? Please join the Social Justice Team to learn more about what it takes to find a place in America today.