Social Action

Welcome to Social Action at Main Line Unitarian Church. MLUC has a long history of social action interests, activities, and projects. This page is designed to provide members, friends, and new visitors with a comprehensive overview of the many ways our congregation engages in social action. Listed under each item is the contact information for a leader of that group or activity. Part of social action is meeting new people, so reach out and connect with us!

For an overview of our programming, view the Social Action Brochure.

Communication

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All Church Service Projects 

Fall Community Day
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Meet at the Church for a morning of local service, and afterwards share lunch and fellowship.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service (Photos)
Monday, January 21, 2013
We will once again team up with the Unitarian Society of Germantown for a variety of service projects throughout Philadelphia.

Environmental Care Project (Photos)
Saturday, April 13, 2013
All church members and friends are invited to participate in a Playground and Neighborhood Clean-Up in collaboration with the Ray of Hope Project.

Local Advocacy

Books Through Bars  (link)
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Volunteers read letters from prisoners, pick out books from a donated library, and ship them to prisons.

Interfaith Hospitality Network  (Read more)
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The Interfaith Hospitality Network assists homeless families and helps them with training, employment, housing, meals, and child care in a network of local religious communities. Several times a year, MLUC hosts families at the church for a week.

Unitarian Universalist Pennsylvania Legislative Action Network  (link)
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UUPLAN is a non-partisan group whose members get involved in the political and legislative process to try to ensure that state legislation is in accordance with Unitarian Universalist Principles. Activities are letter-writing, local media action, rallies, lobbying, and legislative visits.

West Chester Food Cupboard  (link)
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Main Line Unitarian Church collects food weekly for the West Chester Food Cupboard, which is then distributed to local shelters. Requested items change monthly, but all non-perishable food is welcome. Donations are collected in shopping carts at the main and lower entrances of the church on Sunday mornings. 

West Philadelphia Alliance for Children  (link)
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WePAC's mission is to promote childhood literacy by re-opening and staffing school libraries throughout Philadelphia. Their “Open Books, Open Minds” program renovates school library spaces, collects and donates books, and provides trained volunteers to staff the libraries.

Nationalities Service Center  (link)
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This non-profit organization in the Philadelphia area provides social and legal services to immigrants and refugees. Volunteers run donation drives, work in the downtown office, organize special events, teach English as a Second Language, and help in the community garden.

National Advocacy

Anti-Gun Violence
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Church members and friends who are concerned about gun violence work with an interfaith organization called “Heeding God’s Call.” The group holds educational panels, participates in vigils, and works with CeaseFirePA to improve legislation and to protect citizens against gun violence.

Immigration Reform
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The Immigration Reform group works in partnership with the Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizens Coalition (PICC) and the UU Pennsylvania Legislative Action Network (UUPLAN) to fight anti-immigration laws and policies at the state and federal levels.

Unitarian Universalists for Reproductive Justice
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UUs for Reproductive Justice (UURJ) addresses both reproductive healthcare and the availability of services, as well as rights and legislation. This group joins other people of faith to educate and advocate in these areas.

Global Advocacy

Fair Trade Fair
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This event gives our community an opportunity to participate in the betterment of people in impoverished countries who sell their products at Fair Trade. It is also a chance to buy unique gifts from the vendors we host from around the world.  

Justice in the Middle East
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Justice in the Middle East (JME) works to promote justice in Israel and Palestine with regularly scheduled discussions, films, presentations, and speakers.

Partner Church (Read more)
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MLUC signed a covenant with our Partner Church in Várfalva, Transylvania, Romania (a historic Unitarian site) to nurture a partnership based on friendship, respect, and mutual support. Partner Church Committee members meet monthly to implement activities which provide ongoing financial support to and communication with our partners in this rural village. A pilgrimage to Romania is being planned for Summer 2013.

Equality

Cinema To Make You Think
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A film series that draws from MLUC’s wide range of social action groups and helps us better understand the injustices that exist in our world today. Films are shown monthly, and are hosted by the relevant group.

Welcoming Congregation Committee
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The Welcoming Congregation Program is an official designation from the Unitarian Universalist Association, and MLUC has made a conscious effort to meet the requirements of this program and be recognized as a welcome space for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members and friends. Led by a group of gay and straight members, the committee advocates for and educates about LGBT issues with programs and actions throughout the church year. This year, we are in the process of renewing our Welcoming Congregation status.

PrideDay Parade
Each June, members of our church march in center city Philadelphia for the equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender persons.

 Each Fall, the Welcoming Congregation Committee holds classes to train and educate on LGBT issues.

Environment

Eco / Green Sanctuary
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The Eco Group engages the congregation in the critical environmental issues of the day. The group hosts speakers, movies, and forums on topics such as energy, global warming, clean water, hydraulic fracturing, and ethical eating.

The Green Sanctuary Program is an official designation from the Unitarian Universalist Association, and MLUC has made a conscious effort to meet the requirements of this program and be recognized as a community that values the interdependent web of life. The church embraces alternative energy, as evidenced by the solar panels installed on the Main Meeting Room roof in 2012.  

Green Stripers
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Members of the Eco Group serve on Sunday mornings as Green Stripers, serving coffee in washable cups as opposed to Styrofoam.

Youth Groups

Philadelphia AIDS Walk
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Youth groups, families, and friends are encouraged to participate in this annual walk in support of The Aids Fund. MLUC forms its own team of individual walkers and raises donations outside of the church.

Youth members from Junior Youth Group (JYG) and Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU) also participate in other all-church service events such as the Spring Environmental Care Project, as well as host educational events for the entire congregation.