Our Social Justice Committee
The Social Justice Committee or SJC informs and guides the church about a wide range of justice issues. Issues on which we focus may change but we are always working to help the community and the world to be a better place for everyone.
Our Mission
To create awareness, build community and effect systemic change for a more just and sustainable world for all living beings.
Our Vision
We envision a community where all peoples have opportunity to pursue their dreams and ambitions and assume responsibility to promote justice, equity and compassionate regard for all living beings.
Our Social Justice Committee
The committee meets monthly on the 2nd Wednesday from 1:30 to 3 PM on Zoom. All interested members of the congregation are welcome to attend.
Social action and justice issues are important to our church. Our Social Justice Committee (SJC) identifies four focus projects a year. The SJC advises the congregation about important local, national, and international justice issues during open meetings.
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. Margaret Meade
Committee Concepts
We believe these concepts:
- Social Justice Committee actions are consistent with our eight Unitarian Universalist principles;
- Focused Social Justice Committee actions lead to broader systemic change;
- Social Justice Committee actions work for racial, cultural, economic and social equity;
- For us, Community encompasses the church, Las Cruces and southern New Mexico, the nation, and the world;
- People includes all races, religions, cultures, socioeconomic levels and sexual orientations;
- Every person is entitled to certain inalienable rights: access to healthy food, good health care, safe housing, well-rounded education and employment that provides at least a living wage;
- The community is responsible for teaching others how to access these rights;
- Individual choice is inherent in how one uses the opportunities provided;
- Individual responsibility implies the duty of citizenship and sustainability of the environment and all living creatures
Unitarian Universalists work toward a local community and world free from oppression and injustice, where all can realize their full human rights. Toward those ends, our church works on local and national actions identified by the Unitarian Universalist Commission on Social Witness.
UUA Commission on Social Witness
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Commission on Social Witness helps Unitarian Universalists put their mission, vision, and principles into action. It assists churches to express concern for social justice through study, writings, and actions that address current social justice issues.