Congregations Take Action: Resources for Justice

Congregational Best Practice

The 2013 recipient of the Bennett Award for Congregational Action on Human Justice and Social Action is Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, FL.: Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater (UUC), FL have a legacy of social justice since the congregation’s founding in 1951. A leader in the civil rights movement and desegregation in Florida, the congregation advocated for justice and change throughout the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s.

UUC was one of the earliest congregations to receive the Welcoming Congregation designation, and throughout the 1990s expanded their justice ministry to include the Partner Church Program, an interfaith response to local hunger and homelessness, and anti-racism workshops.

After Rev. Abhi Janamanchi was called as their minister in 1999, the congregation adopted a social justice council model with four foci: economic justice, environmental justice, human rights, and congregation-based community organizing with FAST (Faith and Action for Strength Together). The congregation also designated liaisons with the UUSC and Interweave. They used the UUA’s Social Justice Empowerment program to organize and strengthen their social justice ministry.

Today UUC has an active, diverse, and dynamic justice ministry. Read the full story to learn more.

More congregational stories and best practices.

Our Top Resources

• Congregation-Based Community Organization (CBCO)
• Inspired Faith, Effective Action (PDF, 31 pages) A Social Justice Workbook
• A People So Bold: DVD and study guide reflecting on how might congregations be beacons of Unitarian Universalist (UU) values for the larger world.
• The Real Rules (PDF, 20 pages) Congregations and IRS—Guidelines on Advocacy, Lobbying, and Elections
• Social Justice Empowerment Workshop
  • Handbook (PDF, 141 pages)
• Socially Responsible Investing
• Standing on the Side of Love: a campaign to mobilize UUs and allies in response to identity-based violence, exclusion and oppression

More Resources

• Legislative Advocacy
• Anti-Racism, Anti-Oppression, Multiculturalism
• Effective Congregational Programs
• Ethical Investing & Corporate Advocacy
• Funding & Awards
• Grassroots Organizing
• Green Sanctuary
• Identity-Based Ministries
• International Resources
• Lifespan Faith Development Curriculum
• Public Witness & Media Advocacy
• Welcoming Congregation
• Worship (WorshipWeb)

Action Center

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Immigration Justice

• Tell Congress: We Need Compassionate, Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, Transgender (BGLT) Equality

• Help pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)

Environmental Justice

• End Mountaintop Removal Coal Mining (from iLoveMountains).