The mission of the Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley (UUCV) is to transform lives and care for the world. UUCV’s Social Justice Committee strives to energize and motivate all who attend UUCV to live our mission by providing a variety of opportunities both inside and outside our walls. From marching in rallies to distributing food for the hungry; from standing with the LGBTQI+ community to cleaning up state parks and local neighborhoods; from building relationships with other faith communities to making calls and signing petitions supporting local and state initiatives; from feeding Carlisle’s homeless to providing educational opportunities for girls and young women in Mozambique—there is something for everyone interested in helping us transform lives and care for the world. We collect money called Change for the World each week as part of our offering, and four times a year it is dispersed to a worthy non-profit organization in our community.

Involvement with UUCV’s social justice activities affords the opportunity to join a community of caring individuals who believe in creating steps toward positive change in the world. Some of our local community participation includes the Central Pa. Pride Festival, United Way’s Day of Caring, Martin Luther King Celebration, Project SHARE’s Farm Stand, National Public Lands Day and organizing a monthly meal for the local C.A.R.E.S. Homeless Shelter. We have hosted documentaries of timely topics and occasional book discussions. We send postcards to local politicians regarding legislation important to the well-being of our community and sign petitions for local candidates running for office.

We welcome everyone to join us. However, you don’t have to be a member of the Social Justice Committee to show up to help with any activities. Ours is a true team effort and the bigger the team, the larger impact we can have. UUCV is an important community, both to its congregation and to the region. To maintain our viability, we rely upon the generosity of our members and friends. Please continue to offer your time, talents, and treasure in support of the church and its work.

UUCV Common Read for 2022 The Antiracism Initiative and the Social Justice Committee invite you to join us in the 2022 UUCV Common Read. The book is Justice on Earth – People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment edited by Manish Mishra-Marzetti and Jennifer Nordstrom (Skinner House Books, 2018). The book is available at www.uua.org, Amazon, and other online book sellers. Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond their control Whistlestop Bookshop is unable to get this book.

CARES MEALS Each month we provide a meal to our Carlisle CARES Community. See our main link for each month’s menu and how to donate.

Change for the World

All change collected on Sundays during offering will be donated to organizations or groups providing needed services that are in keeping with UUCV’s mission and the UU principles.  Special consideration will be given to local groups for whom a donation of $200-$300 dollars might be crucial.

UUJUSTICEPA, our resource for connecting with our State Legislature

• watches over the business of our state legislature
• communicates issues of concern in our state and our state government to us via a website
• organizes postcarding and calling to our representatives when issues and potential actions seem to be unjust  
• organizes lobbying at the Capitol on issues like gun violence, reproductive justice, economic justice, good government, protecting our environment, and criminal justice reform?

2021 Social Justice Activities

May Social Justice Opportunities

• Antiracism Initiative Monthly Meetings
• Carlisle Community CARES Meals provided (12)
• UUJustice PA Events
• Volunteer Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Food Pantry
• Monthly Social Justice Committee Meetings
• Mitten and Hat Collection

2020 Social Justice Activities

Due to the Pandemic, our activities in the community are greatly reduced.  We are still helping in any way we can and invite you to join us.

Meal for Community CARES

We will deliver a hot meal to 40 – 50 folks at our Local Homeless Shelter.  Check our monthly newsletter and our website and Facebook posts for a list of items needed.  Delivery dates to the UUCV parking lot will be announced each month for you to drop off your food items.

Volunteer at the Food Pantry

Community CARES Donation Process

With the increasing numbers of Covid positive cases in our county we feel the need to remind everyone of our donation process. We ask all of those who intend to drop off donations to please call the front desk before you leave and let us know your estimated time of arrival. Our phone number is 717-249-1009 and dial 0. Donations can be dropped off at 50 W Penn Street from 8am-6pm. Please leave your donations inside your vehicle and call to the front desk 717-249-1009 and press 0 or ring the doorbell outside of the resource center. A staff member or trained volunteer will come out and assist you with your donations.

Mitten and Hat Collection    We are collecting warm hats, mittens, scarves and socks for our CARES community.  Personal Hygiene items are also being accepted.   Due to our Meeting House still being closed, we have place two large bins at the parking lot entrance door that will be emptied twice a week.  Please place your items in the bins.   Please have your items in the bin by December 15 for a December 20 drop off to CARES

2019 Social Justice Activities

The SJC presents the film “Suppressed: The Fight to Vote” The SJC will show the film “Suppressed: The Fight to Vote” on Sunday morning, November 3rd, at 9:15 in UUCV’s Board Room.  This new documentary by Robert Greenwald (director of Outfoxed, Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price, and Making A Killing: Guns, Greed, & the NRA), weaves together personal stories from voters across the state of Georgia to paint an undeniable picture of voter suppression in the 2018 midterm election where Stacey Abrams fought to become the first Black female governor in the U.S.

October Opportunities List:

SHOW UP to help at Project SHARE’S Farm Stand:

When: Thursday mornings, September 12^th and 26^th from 9:30 – 11:00ish

Where: Farm Stand is located at 123 Lincoln Street, Carlisle

JOIN UUCV’s team for United Way’s Day of Caring. 

The event will be held on Friday, October 11^th.  Sign up at the Social Justice table.

REGISTER for our Beloved Conversations program – begins in October 11th.

September TO DO List:

Join our TEAM to make a difference in our local community.

“Day of Caring” is an incredible opportunity for volunteers to give their time and hearts to help local non-profit organizations complete needed service projects in the greater Carlisle area. Please join Team UUCV on Friday, October 11th as we participate in this community-wide service project.

The morning kicks off at 8 AM in Allison Hall on Dickinson’s campus (99 Mooreland Avenue, Carlisle) at which time volunteers pick up their LIVE UNITED t-shirts and enjoy coffee and donuts.  At 8:30 am, groups head out to their assigned project at a local non-profit.  After finishing their projects and working up an appetite, volunteers are invited to have lunch at Letort Park from 12:15 to 1:15 pm.

Sign-up sheets are available at the Social Justice table in the Social Hall.  Sign up deadline is September 22th.

SHOW UP to help at Project SHARE’S Farm Stand:

When: Thursday mornings, September 12^th and 26^th from 9:30 – 11:00ish

Where: Farm Stand is located at 123 Lincoln Street, Carlisle

TAKE PART in the National Public Lands Day Volunteer Event at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center.

Volunteers around the nation will pitch in on National Public Lands Day – Saturday, September 28^th – to show appreciation for the nation’s valuable and beautiful public lands. Join the UUCV team and other volunteers for a rewarding morning of volunteering at Kings Gap Environmental Education Center. Tools will be provided, however, feel free to bring your own.  Participants should dress appropriately.

After a morning of volunteering, all participants will are invited to celebrate with a volunteer appreciation lunch, beginning at noon. All ages are welcome. Sign up at the Social Justice table in the Social Hall.

Sign up at the Social Justice table.

Change For The World – Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC)

The Carlisle Arts Learning Center (CALC) is a local 501c3 organization that serves and enriches the community by encouraging creativity and self-esteem through exploration and appreciation of the visual arts. It does this via classes and workshops, exhibits, and participation in community events. Since its founding in January 1992, CALC has offered a variety of programs for children and adults from hands-on activities to lectures.  These are offered in a number of settings, including the Carlisle YWCA, Carlisle Community Center, One West Penn, Cumberland Crossings, and Memorial Park Train Station. CALC provides financial aid to assure all children and adults have access to art classes and camps.  www.carlislearts.org

Lend a Helping Hand – August 

Project SHARE’S Farm Stand needs our help!

When: Thursday mornings, August 8^th and 22^nd from 9:30 – 11:00ish

Where: Farm Stand is located at 123 Lincoln Street, Carlisle

Why: To sort located donated fruits, vegetables, baked goods for distribution to those in need.

Live our mission!  Please sign up at Social Justice table.

Day of Caring – Mark your calendars for Friday, October 11

Register for our Beloved Conversations program – begins in October.

Contact Pam in the office to register 717/249-8944 or [email protected]

Change For The World – The Gleaning Project of South Central PA

The Gleaning Project improves access to fresh, healthy, local foods for low income Adams and Franklin County residents.  The Gleaning Project uses volunteers to collect excess fruit and vegetables from local farms and distributes them to local food banks, senior centers, shelters, after school programs, and other similar organizations.  The Gleaning Project seeks to reduce food waste in the fields and distribute this food to those most in need.

Be the Change — July 

Join US at Project SHARE’s Farm Stand!

When: Thursday mornings, July 11^th and 25^th from 9:30 – 11:00ish

Where: Farm Stand is located at 123 Lincoln Street, Carlisle

Why: To sort located donated fruits, vegetables, baked goods for distribution to those in need.

Live our mission!  Please sign up at Social Justice table.

Sign up to volunteer at the Central PA PRIDE Festival – July 27^th. 

Volunteer sign-ups are located on the Social Justice table.

Silent Witness Peacekeeper Training – July 13^th or July 16^th 

Training for new Peacekeepers will be held at the Central PA LGBTQ center in Harrisburg on Saturday, July 13^th at 9:30 am & on Tuesday, July 16^th at 6:30 pm.  Sessions last around 2 hours. New Peacekeepers are required to attend ONE session.  Current Peacekeepers are encouraged to attend as a refresher.

Consider joining in our Beloved Conversations program – begins in October.

Change For The World – Fresh Match (Farmer’s on the Square)

Fresh Match is a matching program whereby low-income persons receiving Food Stamps (SNAP), Women Infants and Children (WIC) supplemental nutrition programs, and the Farmers Market Nutrition Program for seniors may purchase limited amounts of eligible food items at the Carlisle Farmers on the Square market for half price.  Fresh Match’s 50-50 matching makes healthy, sustainably–produced foods affordable for low income members of our community

What Will YOU Do This Month? — June

Join US at Project SHARE’s Farm Stand!

When: Thursday mornings, June 13^th and 27^th from 9:30 – 11:00ish

Where: Farm Stand is located at 123 Lincoln Street, Carlisle

Why: To sort located donated fruits, vegetables, baked goods for distribution to those in need.

Live our mission!  Please sign up at Social Justice table.

Consider joining in our Beloved Conversations program – begins in October.

Save the date for Central PA PRIDE Festival – July 27^th. 

Additional information and volunteer sign-ups will go up in mid-June.

Change For The World – YWCA Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Services of Cumberland County

The YWCA’s Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis program offers a 24-hour Hotline for victims of rape and sexual assault, accompaniment to legal and medical proceedings, individual counseling for victims and their significant others, support groups, advocacy, and prevention/education programs to professional and civic groups, and students in Cumberland County schools.  All Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Services are free and confidential.

MAY Events

Join US at Project SHARE’s Farm Stand!

When: Thursday mornings, May 9th & 23^rd from 9:30 – 11:00ish

Where: Farm Stand is located at 123 Lincoln Street, Carlisle

Why: To sort located donated fruits, vegetables, baked goods for distribution to those in need.

Live our mission!  Please sign up at Social Justice table.

VOTE – Tuesday, May 21^st

Change for The World – HOPE Station

Hope Station, located in Memorial Park, Carlisle, is a non-profit designed to enhance the quality of life, health, safety, and economic opportunities of the people who live in the neighborhood it comprises. Hope Station is not just a building.  Hope Station  seeks to lift up the entire neighborhood by tackling our most difficult problems through education, technology, job development and most importantly, teaching our children to become leaders by learning to respect themselves and others.  Hope Station has a commitment to unity and pride, ad embraces the success ad diversity of its families.  Examples of programs include: Youth Leadership Programs, After School Programs, Summer Food Service location, and Literacy and the Arts.  www.hopestationcarlisle.org

April Events

UUCV is needed at Project SHARE’s Farm Stand!

When: Thursday mornings, April 11th & 25th from 9:30 – 11:00ish

Where: Farm Stand is located at 123 Lincoln Street, Carlisle

Why: To sort located donated fruits, vegetables, baked goods for distribution to those in need.

Live our mission!  Please sign up at Social Justice table.

Change For The World – Community CARES

Community CARES (Combined Area Resources for Emergency Shelter) was established in 2004 to address homelessness in the Carlisle area.  The program provides comprehensive services to facilitate the individual’s journey from being homeless to a state of self-sufficiency. The Resource Center is open seven days per week, 365 days per year.  The overnight shelter services, which offer a warm and safe place to sleep, are provided by participating area churches, rotating on a monthly basis.  Guests are transported by CARES to and from churches that are not within walking distance of the Resource Center.  Community CARES operates on limited funding. CARES cannot function without volunteer services and donated goods.  A few hundred dollars could enable CARES to purchase needed supplies or meet special targeted needs.

March Events

You are invited to view the film Marshall 

The Social Justice Committee will show Marshall at 1:00 pm & at 6:30 pm on Friday, March 15^th.  Marshall is based on the incredible true story of future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and one of the landmark cases of his life.

Project SHARE Farm Stand

Please join us at the Farm Stand on Thursday, March 14^th and 28^th from 9:30 to 11:00.  It’s easy work that provides a big benefit to a lot of people by providing fresh fruits and vegetables to those who may not be able to afford them.  The Farm Stand is located at 123 Lincoln St, Carlisle.

Carlisle CARES Host Training and Shelter Setup

Training for UUCV volunteers serving as CARES hosts during the month of April will take place after service on Sunday, March 31^st.  Set up for the shelter will begin following the training.

Change For The World – Camp Koala

The mission of Camp Koala is to provide grieving children with the tools and resources to help them manage their grief in a healthy way, and to offer companionship in a supportive environment.

February

Fill Kit Karnsey (our beloved grocery cart)

Donate non-perishable food and/or money to the Mt Holly Food Bank.  This is our local food bank that supports the Boiling Springs, Mt Holly Springs, and Gardner’s area. Note: If donating by check please make payable to Mt Holly Springs COG Food Bank.

Sign the petition supporting U.S. House Bill H.R.8.  This bipartisan legislation is designed to require a background check for ALL firearm sales.  This Act removes the deadly loophole in the current federal background check process which allows firearms to be purchased without background checks at gun shows and on the internet.

Project SHARE Farm Stand

Please join us on Thursday, February 7^th and 28^th from 9:30 to 11:00 as we help provide food for those in need.  The Farm Stand is located at 123 Lincoln St, Carlisle. Please note this is the first and fourth Thursday of February.

Black History Festival – a free family event organized by Hope Station

Saturday, February 23^rd from 10 to 3 at Hamilton Elementary School, 735 Clay Street, Carlisle.

Volunteers are needed too.  If interested in helping, contact Cindy Good.

Change For The World – Dress For Success, South Central PA

Dress for Success is an international not-for-profit organization that empowers women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help women thrive in work and in life. Our local branch is located in Harrisburg, PA.

January

Project SHARE Farm Stand

Please join us on Thursday, January 10^th and 24^th from 9:30 to 11:00 as we help provide food for those in need.  The Farm Stand is located at 123 Lincoln St, Carlisle.

Women’s Rally on the Square

          Saturday, January 19^th from 10 AM to Noon in Courthouse Square in Carlisle.

The Women’s Rally (Men too) will be issue-focused, diverse, and non-partisan.

MLK Jr Walk and Commemoration Service

Join us on Sunday, January 20th at 2:45 pm as we participate in Carlisle’s annual MLK Walk.

2:45 – Walk from the St John’s Episcopal Church on the square in Carlisle to the Old Courthouse for a short service.

4:00 – Commemoration Service at St John’s Episcopal Church.

Change For The World – PRIDE Festival of Central PA

The 27th Annual Pride Festival of Central PA will be held on Saturday July 27th, 2019 in Soldier’s Grove Memorial Park, Pennsylvania State Capitol Complex, Harrisburg. This event will celebrate the 50^th Anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising and Half a Century of LGBT+ Liberation. The Pride Festival of Central PA is a project of The Foundation for Enhancing Communities (TFEC), fiscal sponsor.