December Social Justice News
Social Justice holds two of the three functions of stewardship: time and talent. Sharing time and talent asks us to become involved and integral to the numerous ministries of WUU, and especially committed to social justice activities and programs. Investing our time and using our special talents in initiating, planning, and implementing social justice helps us become accountable to our values and principles.
Our Social Justice ministry bulletin board will feature opportunities to become involved. It's across the hall from the name tag board. Announcements of special events will be in the Spiral and on the Facebook Social Justice page. You are needed! Contact: sjchair@wuu.org for ways to be involved!
We wrap up the year with an overview of Social Justice activities WUU members have been involved in.
Rallies
Protect Our Parks in March
No Kings Days June and October (with Indivisibles)
Black Friday ICE protest (with Indivisibles and Virginia Organizing VO)
Weekly Freedom Friday rallies (with Indivisibles)
Moral Mondays on DOG St
Community Action and Training
With Virginia Organizing:
ICE Know Your Rights training and Court Watch
ICE Alert Whistle training
Monthly VO meetings at St Bedes
PRIDE Williamsburg June 27 Planning Committee
UU the Vote
Get out the Vote postcard writing
100% Voting campaign
Rainbow Ministry
Rallies for banned books and transgender rights
PRIDE events in Norfolk, Hilton, and Newport News
Share the Plate for PFLAG
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Part of the planning committee (with VO) for Williamsburg PRIDE, June 27, 2026
Community Partnerships
Community of Faith Mission (COFM)
Hosting the winter shelter Nov 23-Dec 7th
Share the Plate November for COFM
FISH Food and Clothing Pantry
Weekly FISH wagon food collection
Thanksgiving food drive
And starting next week, the annual underclothing drive
Green Initiative
Arboretum Team
Completed fall invasive plant elimination project (removing 30 bags of Lespediza from the campus)
Made a significant dent in the Mimosa and Japanese Privet population
Green Book Club
WUU’s first green book club had a successful start with some interesting and thought-provoking titles. We read Douglas W. Tallamy's Nature's Best Hope and we attended his speech sponsored by the Historic Garden Club. Then, we read Jane Goodall's Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times. We are just about to discuss The Serviceberry by Kimmerer. Over the holidays, we will read a work of fiction called Cloud Cuckoo Land by Anthony Doerr. Look out for next year’s offering in future Spirals!
Happy Winter Solstice! Happy Holidays! And may it snow...a little!
Kate McGaw, Social Justice Chair