Service and Justice Work
Service to the community and the world, and witnessing for justice as informed by our Unitarian Universalist principles and values is a key part of our church's mission. We encourage our members to initiate projects of service and witness on their own or in alliance with community organizations through our NOW (New Opportunities for West Shore) Fund.
Information about and an application form related to the NOW Fund, and our Social Action Offerings noted below, can be found through the link on the left of this page.
West Shore encourages our members' generosity in support of agencies and projects in our commmunity and denomination. At least once a month, the morning offering is given away to a group outside the church. In 2006-07 the church directed almost $15,000 of gifts and grants outside the congregation.
Our approach to encouraging volunteers in Service and Justice is diverse, just as the political opinions and commitments among our members. We have :
- a Social Action Committee that sponsors several ongoing projects, particularly Hunger Action, and that fields emerging projects;
- A Green Sanctuary Committee that addresses environmental integrity within the church and in the world;
- An Inclusivity Ministry that educates about and engages us with anti-oppression issues among us and in the larger community;
- A Dialogues in Diversity Program that brings in speakers and programs to educate us about the cultural and ethnic diversity of our area;
- Membership and involvement with Northeast Ohio Alliance for Hope (NOAH), a faith based community organizing network;
- Membership and involvement with InterAct Cleveland, a network of faith traditions offering interfaith education and action;
- An Allies Group that encourages networking and witness among GLBT members and non-gay friends and supporters;
- Various regular initiatives related to peace action, and Ohio's education policies.