Social Justice
For some, God is understood as the source of love or hopefulness, or as the creative force in our universe. Others find that the notion of a god has little meaning for them. We seek to act as a moral force in the world and believe that ethical living is the supreme witness of religion. The here-and-now and the effects our actions will have on future generations deeply concern us.
Unitarian Universalist history is inseparable from social justice action, advocacy, and education. Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church makes a commitment to a wide variety of social justice activities.
“Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.”
Read the Entire Social Justice Charter
SMUUCh is actively involved in these social action initiatives:
After the Harvest
Starting in May, we help After the Harvest glean farmers’ fields of excess produce and deliver it to food banks, pantries and kitchens. Gleaning usually continues through November. For more information, click here.
Anti-Racism Resources
Dismantling White Supremacy: UUA Resources
10 Common Things Well-Intentioned-Allies Do That Are Actually Counter-Productive
13 Habits of White Supremacy Culture, Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun
Stories of Bystanders in Death of George Floyd:
Nine year old Judeah Reynolds
Darnella Frazier, Teen Who Filmed The Death
Get in touch about the budding Diversity and Accountability Committee here
To learn about how to connect to the Diverse Religious Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries (as member or white ally), contact Patrice Gonzalez.
Donate-The-Plate
Once each month, we donate our Sunday offering to local organizations that serve the community. Many local and national nonprofits have received our monthly collections.
DRUUMM
Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries is a Unitarian Universalist People of Color Ministry and anti-racist collective of lay and religious professionals. Together, we work to overcome racism through resistance, and to transform Unitarian Universalism through our multicultural experiences. DRUUMM has a growing membership of UU People of Color from every district and region in the Unitarian Universalist Association. SMUUCh has created a Midwest DRUUMM Chapter that meets every other Thursday. With members all over the Midwest, we meet on ZOOM at 7 p.m. DRUUMM is a collective of people who identify as People of Color. Allies are welcome and are organized as "White Allies". Together we are open to all people. We are grounded in the Unitarian Universalist tradition, and maintain a close relationship with the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. Please contact Patrice Gonzalez to get involved.
Video of sermon by Rev. Marisol Caballero
Giving Grove
The SMUUCh Giving Grove is an edible tree and shrub garden tended by SMUUCh and other community volunteers in partnership with Giving Grove and Kansas City Community Garden. Once the trees and bushes mature, the harvest will be used to help the food insecure in our local community. Volunteer opportunities for weeding, watering, pruning and general tree tending are available throughout the year. There are also opportunities to assist in other Giving Groves around Kansas City. For more information, click here.
Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church FUUD Pantry
The FUUD pantry is an affiliate of the Harvesters Food Bank. It is open every Tuesday from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. and is located around the back of the church. For more information see http://www.fuudpantry.org/
Johnson County Interfaith Hospitality Network
IHN is a nonprofit organization serving homeless families in Johnson County. Its mission is to unite and enable the faith community to provide homeless families with emergency shelter and meals, as well as compassionate assistance with social services and relationships with caring people in the faith community. Our church serves a support church, meaning that once every two to three months, we provide support to a hosting church. During our week, church volunteers provide meals for the families and stay with families nightly. For more information, click here.