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JusTAct

Our JustACT Team plans and conducts Columbine UU Church’s Social Action. 
JustAct Message

 

  • We encourage Columbine members and friends to learn about and become personally involved in social justice outreach activities.

  • We serve as a repository for information about social justice programs outside of Columbine.

  • We research areas within the broad theme of healing injustice that might be of interest to our congregation.

  • We share our research with members and friends and listen to their responses.

  • We coordinate the scheduling of charitable appeals to the congregation.

  • We provide Helpful Hints for Starting a Columbine Social Action Project, a compilation of suggested elements to consider when starting a new project.

  • We nurture project participants through mentoring, training, and spiritual reflection.

 

JustACT activities change from time to time in response to changing needs and priorities. However, the Welcoming Congregation activity is a permanent fixture, the commitment to which is included in the church bylaws.

Racial Justice

As a congregation we support Black Lives Matter to help the building of Black communities while eliminating anti-Black violence and racism. We have Studied the UUA’s, “Widening the Circle of Concern” a report based on the insights of UU leaders of color into how the Association could continue moving forward in the midst of these continuing racially charged moments. We have formed three Dismantling Racism Study Groups at Columbine which seek to interrupt the workings of racism and transform how people from different racial/ethnic groups understand and relate to one another. Our congregation continues to work toward racial justice and creating a welcoming community for all. In our Columbine Connection weekly email newsletter we provide information about racial justice and ways to get involved. Watch for these opportunities!

 

Immigration Justice

We believe all people deserve justice regardless of their immigration status. Columbine Unitarian Universalist Church supports the Not 1 More Table and other projects of Coloradans for Immigrant Rights through the work of the American Friends Service Committee(AFSC). Columbine is one of seven Colorado faith communities who have joined together in this work. We also uphold Casa de Paz (House of Peace) which offers free housing, meals, clothes and transportation to men and women recently released from the immigrant detention center. We help them provide hospitality and protection to immigrants and their families whose legal cases clearly reveal the contradictions and moral injustice of our current immigration system. Columbine works to support legislation that would change the political situation of our immigrant neighbors. Watch for information in our Columbine Connection weekly emails newsletter.

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Gun Safety

Columbine UU Church belongs to Colorado Faith Communities to End Gun Violence (CFCU)
CFCU is an interfaith coalition of twenty-three congregations working to decrease gun deaths in Colorado through advocacy, increase gun safety, action and education.   “In Dr. King’s words, we need to feel the ‘fierce urgency of now.’ Because people are dying. and the constant excuses for inaction no longer suffice.”

Gun violence and gun safety issues have been a concern of our church since the Columbine High School shootings that occurred so close to us and deeply affected our community and congregation.  There are twenty-three participating congregations, united with the purpose of decreasing gun deaths in Colorado through advocacy, action and education. CFCU keeps current on important issues and encourages its members to  take action by calling, writing or emailing our Colorado legislators. Tell them you are a UU and these are your values.  Beside keeping us current on legislation, CFCU presents speakers, workshops and other educational opportunities to learn about preventing gun violence.

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Integrated Family Community Services

Columbine UU Church partners with Integrated Family Community Services (IFCS), is a local non-profit agency serving low-income families by assisting with food, clothing, information and referral in addition to the programs listed below.
Ready, Set, School! — This is a July collection to provide a child with a new outfit, backpack, school supplies and a gift certificate for a pair of shoes.  This makes all the difference in a child’s life, and the parent’s life too. Sponsor a child and change a life!​

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The Food Bank at IFSC –  This is an ongoing food collection at Columbine. There is a baskets in the foyer for non-perishable donations that are delivered to IFCS each week.  It is a huge part of the help that Inter-Faith gives to those who need extra help feeding their families. There is always a need for staples like beans, macaroni and cheese, canned meat, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, and canned fruit and vegetables. Any nutritious, non-perishable food is welcome.

 

Turkey Bucks — Thanksgiving is a time when we are thankful for our many blessings, but also a time to think about the people who have few blessings in their lives.  IFCS distributes food baskets to their clients, including many  home-bound elderly.   Baskets include food and “Turkey Bucks”, a King Sooper’s gift card good for a turkey.    With our help IFCS brings their mission of Neighbors Helping Neighbors to life for families and seniors.

 

Christmas Adopt-a-Family — Volunteers sign up to sponsor a family so the family can receive holiday gifts, food and gift cards and experience the joy of the season.  IFCS Christmas Adopt-A-Family, makes the holidays truly joyous for many parents, kids and seniors.

 

Mother's Day Baskets — This is a collection to fill baskets for single moms with kids. Monetary donations are also accepted to the IFCS Mother’s Day Fund. These donations will be turned into gift cards to include with the baskets.

 

Service Projects

Adopt-A-Highway  Our JustACT team organizes service projects which are advertised in our weekly emails.  Columbine UU Church has adopted a section of highway along south Wadsworth Blvd., near Southwest Plaza Mall.  An Adopt-A-Highway sponsorship sign is by our section of Wadsworth Blvd. We are making sure we keep it there by volunteering to pick up litter along this 2-mile stretch of road.

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The Action Center  The Action Center provides an immediate response to basic human needs and promotes pathways to self-sufficiency for Jefferson County residents and the homeless.  Columbine helps sort food and clothing at the action center’s warehouse or main building.  These are great volunteer opportunities for volunteers of all ages.

 

Project Angel Heart

Project Angel Heart is an organization that provides nutritious meals to persons with AIDs, cancer, and other life threatening illnesses.  Columbine UU Church has been involved with Project Angel Heart by ‘adopting’ a delivery route that we service every Saturday afternoon.  The meals Project Angel Heart brings to clients’ homes are customized so that each client gets the diet they desperately need, given the illness that they have, but often would not have the energy or resources to prepare on their own.  

We are always looking for volunteers to help us with our Columbine delivery route. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact Project Angel Heart (303-830-0202) to sign up for a required volunteer orientation.

 

Donate The Plate

On the third Sunday of each month, Columbine UU Church “donates the plate” with a non-profit beneficiary. Information about this agency is available in the Columbine Connection and in the Order of Service. If you are unable to attend the service and would like to contribute, mail or deliver your cash or check  to the church or donate online.  If writing a check make it to Columbine UU Church with the notation, “DTP” in the memo line.” Pledge payments will not be shared. Thanks for your generosity!

Previous recipients include:  Freedom Fund Colorado, Rainbow Alley, Casa de Paz, Clothes to Kids, No More Deaths, Delores Project, Family Homestead and the Minister’s Discretionary Fund.

 

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), is a membership organization that is a voice for human rights and social justice. By neither seeking nor accepting government funds, UUSC maintains a high level of independence. UUSC receives approximately 60% of its annual budget from member contributions. As an organization with an active membership base, UUSC can advocate vigorously for economic justice, environmental justice, and rights at risk.  Here at Columbine we support the good work of UUSC.

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What are the differences between UUSC and the UUA?

UUSC is an independent, nonsectarian, nonprofit agency. The UUA (Unitarian Universalist Association) is a religious organization for Unitarian Universalist congregations. UUSC is an affiliate of the UUA, but does not receive funding from it. More than 90% of UUSC members are also members of UU congregations. Being a member of Columbine UU Church and/or contributing to the congregation does not make you a members of, or donor to, UUSC.

Membership:  Become a member of UUSC. Your contribution will support important work for justice in the United States and around the world. As a member, you will join a community of more than 32,000 UUSC supporters who share your ideals. You will also stay up-to-date on human rights issues through regular mailings, action alerts, and a subscription to our newsletter, Rights Now.

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