Social Justice Commitee
Social justice is a rich tradition among Unitarian Universalists, and is reflected in our Principles and Purposes. Making life better on earth is a spiritual practice for many UU’s in the form of economic justice, environmental justice, and gender and racial justice. The Northlake community’s social justice passion has long been focused on issues affecting low-income families, including:
- Hunger – Six times a year for the past 16 years we participate in the Tuesday night Community Supper for low-income families through Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing (KITH). We cater a nutritious hot meal, and sit down to eat. Every week, the catering rotates among different congregations and community groups.
- Homelessness – In January 2007 our congregation endorsed the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in King County, and committed to sharing a portion of our collection each month with organizations that support homeless and vulnerable populations, and that advocate for bringing about an end to homelessness. (Please see Sharing the Plate below)
- Holiday needs – Thanksgiving food donation drive, Adopt-a-Family Holiday Giving Tree (organized by Religious Education folks)
- Education – Children’s book donation drive for summer reading, and the Back to School campaign providing backpacks and school supplies, both organized by the Kirkland Interfaith Network (KIN).
Sharing the Plate
As part of our congregation’s commitment to the Ten Year Plan, the Social Justice Committee selects recipients that are working to end homelessness. Each month we invite a representative from the organization to our Sunday morning service.
Additional Activities
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Donate Your Usable Items
- Furniture and housewares – Hopelink Transitional Housing (425-556-9289), or KITH (425-576-9531)
- Baby items – Eastside Baby Corner (425-865-0234)
- Clothing and household items – Eastside Community Aid (ECA) Thrift Shop, 12451 116th Avenue NE, Kirkland (425-825-1877)
Join Us!
Northlake’s Social Justice Committee meets once per month. We discuss social justice issues that have emerged in the last month from sources such the UUA, mailed solicitation, and the media.
Activities include multiple ways to engage:
- Direct service - hands-on, volunteer activity, assistance work
- Education - learning about the issues, grounding our work
- Community organizing - outside the church, interfaith activity, community group
- Working towards systemic change - witness, letter-writing, issue-advocacy
We have a mix of activities that include:
- Something especially aimed for kids to be involved in
- Light-duty and fun activities
- Medium-duty work activities
- Worship services about the issues and the spiritual practice of social justice work
Anyone is welcome to submit ideas or voice opinions, whether a member or friend of Northlake. If you’re interested in working for a better world with fellow UUs, please join us. Contact Cyndy Jones 425-844-8435 or or on a Sunday morning at church.
| Reports to Board: | Annually |
| Meeting Times: | 4th Thursday of the month at 7pm |
| Chairperson: | |
| Members: | , , |