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serving othersOur mission: to bring the values of mind and heart into the work of our hands. Our shared social values are expressed in Old Ship's third purpose, which affirms our intention to "act for ecological and social justice," and by Unitarian Universalist Principles which call us to work for "justice, equity, and compassion in human relations," and toward "the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all."
Our efforts are supported by the Social Justice Council whose focus is "Protecting Vulnerable Populations". The mission of the Social Justice Council is to explore opportunities for the Old Ship community that sustain social justice programs or initiatives on a local, national, and global basis, and provide guidance and support to any in the congregation who would like to lead an action to help a vulnerable population. Annual Report
Social Justice Council Annual Report 2017-2018 Social Justice Council Members: Brenda Black, Kate Philbin, Ginny Perelson, Carol Valentine, David Murphy, Mary Markel, Davalene Cooper, Patti Smith, Belinda Arams This has been the first year of our new Social Justice focus on Protecting Vulnerable Communities. We are happy to report that we were able to support several new areas of social justice interest and action which have been brought to us by members of the congregation, specifically:
And, we were happy to watch the active interest and commitment to learning about Racial Justice issues in our congregation as the ARG (Anti-Racism Group) was established and to a new action to support those who are hungry, the Fair Foods drive through the UU Urban Ministry. The Social Justice Council (SJC) has continued to lead Old Ship’s efforts to
For 2018-2019 we envision continuing many of our recent social service actions which have received support from the congregation and we will offer guidance and support to any in the congregation who would like to lead an action or learning opportunity to help a vulnerable community. We will help with communicating opportunities to act in service to such vulnerable groups through the newsletter, announcements and the Social Justice Action Alerts email distribution. Contact Davalene Cooper davalenecooper@verizon.net to be added to the alert email distribution. We plan to:
We hope the Children’s RE program will continue to provide bag lunches for Father Bill’s residents on a monthly basis and that the Youth Group and Coming of Age groups will continue to identify actions they can take to serve others. Supporting Vulnerable Populations Social Justice Work at Old Ship Acting for Social and Ecological Justice at Old Ship, First Parish UU Hingham Here at Old Ship we strive to bring the values of mind and heart into the work of our hands. Our shared social values are expressed in Old Ship’s third purpose, which affirms our intention to “act for ecological and social justice;” and by UU “Principles” which call us to work for “justice, equity, and compassion in human relations,” and toward “the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.” Our efforts are supported by the Social Justice Council whose mission is to support the Old Ship committees that sustain social justice programs on a local, national and global basis. The Council works closely with the Board of Trustees, staff, committees and individuals to coordinate projects and activities and to help ensure that such efforts are broadly communicated and supported by the Old Ship community. Coffeehouse Off the Square The Coffeehouse offers topflight folk music and provides budding singer-song writers and poets a chance to be heard one Saturday night per month from September to May. The Coffeehouse contributes its net proceeds to support the UUSC and shared investments for churchwide use. opportunities: help is needed with program development, set-up and refreshment sales. contact: Jim Watson 781 749-1767 or Eric Cornetta eecornetta@aol.com Father Bill’s Place Six interfaith teams support this shelter for homeless adults in Quincy by preparing and serving meals on a quarterly basis. opportunities: volunteer to be part of a team or to create a new team to prepare and serve a meal; help to coordinate; volunteer as a substitute cook or server. contact: Brenda Black blackpolara@verizon.net David Petrie cdpetrie@aol.com or Fan Leonard 781 749-2852 Green Sanctuary Team Old Ship is in the process of being re-certified as a Green Sanctuary. We host the South Shore Node of 350MASS.org opportunities: join the team to encourage Old Shippers (and Old Ship) and others to live in more ecologically sustainable ways. contact: Laura Burns for Green Sanctuary laura.burns@verizon.net Connie Gorfinkle connieg1233@verizon.com or Turner Bledsoe turnerbledsoe1@verizon.net for 350MA.org Hingham Interfaith Food Pantry Old Ship supports the Hingham Food Pantry by collecting donations of non-perishable food items each Sunday. A collection basket is located in the vestibule of the Meeting House and we invite everyone to bring one or more of the items listed below to add to the weekly offering. There is also a collection bin in the vestibule of the Parish House and we encourage everyone to bring a food item when coming for classes or meetings. The Hingham Food Pantry serves local families in need. The following list of suggested items are always needed. Please check expiration dates as foods with expired dates cannot be accepted by the pantry.
contact: Kate Philbin kate.philbin4@gmail.com or Belinda Arams beliaram@comcast.net Social Justice Council As stated, our mission is to support the Old Ship committees that sustain social justice programs on a local, national and global basis. We also organize Old Ship’s Monthly Social Justice Plate collections and monthly Feeding Others food collections and provide social action alerts to interested members of the congregation. opportunities: JOIN US! contact: Brenda Black blackpolara@verizon.net or Kate Philbin kate.philbin4@gmail.com Social Outreach Committee This committee, appointed by the Board of Trustees, considers requests for grants to outside organizations from our Social Outreach Endowment Fund and makes grant recommendations to the Parish for vote at our annual meeting each May. Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore Old Ship hosts the December holiday party for the Friends of the Homeless. opportunities: cook and serve the meal to families living in local shelters, donate furniture to their furniture bank. contact: Judi Flaherty yuumom@gmail.com For more information about FHSS: www.friendsofhomeless.org 781 331-9390 Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) Old Ship contributes in a variety of ways to the UUSC’s global and domestic programs in support of human rights, peace and social justice. A portion of our Christmas Eve offering is designated for the UUSC; we promote the annual Guest at Your Table program to generate financial support for UUSC; and we host Old Ship’s “Coffeehouse Off the Square” whose proceeds benefit the UUSC. opportunities: volunteer at the Coffeehouse; become a member of the UUSC contact: Davalene Cooper davalenecooper@verizon.net Further information about the UUSC: www.uusc.org Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (UUUM) Provides educational support for youth in Roxbury, and women and their children who are victims of domestic abuse and offers ESL classes. We support UUUM through a fall fund drive for their Renewal House program and through a portion of our Christmas Eve offering. opportunities: volunteer to tutor in UUUM’s Roxbury programs; organize a Saturday Explorers’ Club event; cook a Wednesday supper for students. Further information about the UUUM: First Parish in Hingham (Old Ship Church) Unitarian Universalist 107 Main Street, Hingham, MA 02043 781-749-1679 office@oldshipchurch.org www.oldshipchurch.org Minister: Rev. Kenneth H. Read-Brown oldshipkrb@gmail.com 781-740-4979 11/17 We welcome ideas and suggestions for projects and are ready to support all who are ready to tackle this social justice issue with us.
The Social Justice Council welcomes new members who would like to plan and support Old Ship's social justice activities. Contact: Brenda Black or Kate Philbin Social Outreach Committee
This 5-member committee, appointed by the Board of Trustees, considers requests for grants to outside organizations from our Social Outreach Endowment Fund and makes grant recommendations to the Parish for vote at our annual meeting in May. In the recent past grant awards have been made to Wellspring Multi-Service Center, Holly Hill Farm, Father Bill's Place, St. Rock Haiti Foundation, and South Shore Friends of the Homeless. Click here for the Social Outreach Grant Application Form. Opportunities: become a committee member, coordinate a grant request Contact: Any of the current members - Joan Bledsoe, Maggie Merrill, Mary Sofis, Susannah Thomas, Heather Thomson Religious Education: Social responsibility for all ages
The religious education program is designed to encourage our young people to develop a sense of social responsibility and to take action to influence change. Our young people help with projects sponsored by the larger Old Ship community; this year the church is aiming to improve “Access To Education” with programs helping The Mather School, UU Urban Ministry, Roxbury Presbyterian Church’s Social Impact Center, Brockton BCC Afterschool Program and Wellspring Multi-Service Center. Other volunteer opportunities include : Father Bill’s Meals Teams, Growing Vegetables for Father Bill’s (at Holly Hill Farm), Interfaith Food Pantry, and Wellspring Multi-Service Center. The children and youth also initiate projects and activities that improve our world and the health and well-being of its inhabitants. For almost four years The Old Ship Youth Group has been making/administering dozens of microloans through Kiva, an online lending platform that allows individuals in the developed world to loan to small business people in the developing world. Other recent projects include: an annual bike drive for Bikes Not Bombs, a Tie-Dye Fundraiser to raise funds for Camp Wowayanke in Rosebud, South Dakota, a rebuild trip to post-Katrina New Orleans and a mission/service/education trip to Washington DC. Contact persons: Beverly Tricco, DRE |
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