Same-Sex Marriage Issues
Links to Local Groups
Network of Spiritual Progressives - Hudson Valley Chapter
Sustainable Hudson Valley
Hudson Valley Activist Network
Family of Woodstock
National UU links
UUA Washington Office for Advocacy
for current information on issues and resources on Effective Advocacy
UU Business Network
Interfaith Resources
Interfaith Alliance
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Last updated Aug 7, 2008
Welcome to the Home
Page of the
Social
Action Committee,
Unitarian
Universalist Congregation of the Catskills
Co-Chairs:
Nancy Graham, Carma Haas, and Paula Silbey
Our
Mission
The Social Action Committee works to educate and inspire
our congregation members, improve our community, and work with others
to improve the larger society. We provide adult education, study
groups, lectures and forums, letter writing campaigns, cosponsor
community events, Through these activities we also help draw
new members into the congregation activities. We seek to present
a positive presence in the community.
National Religious Campaign Against Torture
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Catskills is participating in the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. Through this campaign, we join other congregations and faith groups in denouncing torture and human rights abuses. Torture is a Moral Issue.
Restorative Justice Group at UUCC Publishes
Coming Back to Ulster County - Updated for 2007-2008
The conference "Coming Back: Transition From Prison" prompted a major
undertaking by our Group to create a Resource List specifically
designed for people released from prison or jail. Many in the helping
professions have expressed a need for better sources of information to
help this group make a successful reentry into our community. Support
has come from the New York State Universalist Convention in the form of
a grant for $1950.
The resource list has now been published under the title
Coming Back to Ulster County.
It includes information on such matters as housing, food and clothing, job
seeking, legal issues, health services etc. Providers of services
include public and private agencies, community groups, the faith
community and others who are ready to offer help and support.
Print copies are provided free to ex-prisoners and to the agencies and
community groups who help them. (Inquire at the office of the
congregation.) In addition to this website, the book is also available
online at http://www.reentry.net/
WAMC Interview
WAMC radio interview with UUCC member Nancy Graham about on "Going Carbon-Light".
Brainstorming Summary
On Jan 12, 2007, we had a brainstorming session about what the
Social Action Program means to us, and what we would like to do in
2007. A summary of the ideas from that meeting is available
- click here
The
Save Darfur Coalition
The Save Darfur Coalition is an alliance of over 170 faith-based,
advocacy and humanitarian organizations, including the UUA. The
Coalition’s member organizations represent 130 million people of all
ages, races, religions and political affiliations united together to
help the people of Darfur. The campaign calls on the United
States government to support a stronger multinational force to protect
the civilians of Darfur. For more information click here.
Big
Brothers Big Sisters
Mentoring Project
Special Update: UUCC
member David Chandler and his Little Brother DJ were honored at the
annual banquet December 10 as Big and Little Brothers of the year. At
present we have two mentors actively working in the Children of Promise
program. We need additional UUCC mentors. We have been asked to add
five in the near future so that BBBS can keep up their regional quota
of active participants. Interested persons can see Wanda Goldstein or
Reverend Linda.
UUCC is participating in a new program organized by Big
Brothers Big Sisters under a federal grant, called the Mid-Hudson
Children of Promise Program. It is designed to mentor children who have
a parent in prison.
There are about 6000 such children in the Hudson Valley, living with a
single parent, with grandparents, with other relatives or with foster
parents. They have been called "invisible children," often overlooked
and underserved by helping organizations. The program is patterned on
one created for Philadelphia by Reverend Wilson Goode, a former two
term mayor of that city. It is focused in the faith community, with
mentors being provided by local congregations. Each congregation is
asked to welcome these children into their activities and services.
At present five of our UU’s have become
mentors in the program, and three have been matched with a child.
Others are participating in the Big Brothers Big Sisters Community and
School Programs. Several of our mentors presented the recent Sunday
service “You’ve Got a Friend” featuring the Children of Promise
Program. They introduced their Little Brother or Little Sister and
described their experiences and their hopes for the future. We in the
congregation had a chance to meet the children, and will get to know
them as they continue to attend some of our services and participate in
our activities.
We hope that other members will come forward to take part in
this rewarding work and make an important difference in a child’s life.
The commitment is to be with the child, in person or on the phone, for
a minimum of six to eight hours a month for a period of one year.
Mentors are screened by BBBS and receive about two evenings of
training. They have contact with the child's caregiver, and may where
possible help the child communicate with the parent in prison through
letters and pictures. Big Brothers Big Sisters Program Coordinator
Cynthia Graham offers help as needed.
For more information see Wanda Goldstein, UUCC Program
Coordinator
Upcoming Events:
(Including UUCC and
outside organizations)
MEDICAL SUPPORT FOR THE UNINSURED: A PANEL DISCUSSION
Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 7:30 pm
Unitarian Universalist Congregation
320 Sawkill Road, Kingston
PANELISTS:
- Dr. Maya Hambright, Staff Physician at the Ellenville Family Practice.
- Ms. Verna Little, PsyD,LCSW-R,SAT., Vice President for Psychosocial Services and Community Affairs at the Institute for Family Health.
- Ms. JoAnn Mundhenk, Principle Welfare Examiner at the Ulster County Department of Social Services.
-
Moderator: Mark Howenstein, Ph.D., Professor of Law and Society, Ramapo College
BUY NOTHING DAY! November 29, 2008, 10AM-2PM
FREE RUMMAGE SALE for FREE HOLIDAY GIFTS
Our Buy Nothing Day will feature a Free Rummage Sale / Gift Swap. All items will be free, and will include children's clothes, books, toys, gadgets, gift items, household items, electronics, tools, music, and just about anything else you can think of.
Past Events:
Wednesday, Jan 17 at
7:30pm-9:00pm - Issues of Our Time - "War, Peace and Religion A
talk given by Rev. Leroy
Ness, the retired minister of Kingston Trinity Lutheran Church
and a former Army Chaplain.
Sunday, Jan 7, 2007 at
7:00pm-9:00pm Paula Silbey talks about her trip to
Isreal/Palestine. Join UUCC member Paula Silbey as she
talks about her recent trip to Isreal / Palestine with the
International Women's Peace Service. The presentation will take
place at the Inquiring Minds Gallary at the corners of Main and
Partition streets in Saugerties. This event is sponsored by
the Peace Action Network and Middle East Crisis Response.
Saturday, Nov 25 from
10:00am-2:00pm Buy Nothing Day Join us in
celebrating International Buy Nothing Day with a FREE rumage sale /
gift swap. Click
Here for Information
Wednesday, Oct 18,
7:30pm - Issues of Our Time - History of the Underground Railroad
Local author and journalist Fergus Bordewich will talk about the
history of the Underground Railroad, including local connections, as
chronicled in his book "Bound for Cannon: The Underground Railroad and
the War for the Soul of America".
Wednesday, Sept 20,
7:30pm - Issues of Our Time - Energy Efficient Buildings
Our monthly discussion series resumes in September after a summer
break. This month, our guest speaker will be Jeff Golden. Jeff is a
leader of the "Common Fire" foundation and is involved in building one
of the most energy efficient buildings in the North East near us in
Tivoli. Jeff will talk about energy efficient building techniques in
general, and the new co-op building in Tivoli in particular.
Tuesday Sept 19,
7:00pm Panel Discussion: How to Promote a More Civil Society
Join Jenny O’Grady Giddy, Nancy Graham, Mike Ignatowski and Shirley
Powell in at thought provoking panel discussion at the UUCC on "How to
Promote a More Civil Society". This is being offered as a UUCC auction
seminar. If you did not sign up for this at the Auction, come anyway. A
donation of $10 is asked.
Saturday, September
16, 3:00pm Beach Cleanup with Bobbi Katz
Join with others around the world in clearing trash & identifying
beach debris on Saturday, September 16 at Kingston Point Beach. The
U.S. effort is sponsored by the Ocean Conservancy and coordinated by
the American Littoral Society in NY State with the Environmental
Committee of the Unitarian Congregation of the Catskill representing
Ulster County.
Monday, Sept 11, 4:30-6:00pm. Peace Path 9/11 Commeration
In commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the September 11 tragedy,
peace activists will gather in Kingston on Monday, September 11 from
4:30 – 6:00 p.m. for Peace Path 9/11. Participants are encouraged to
bring positive signs about peace and join others standing in solidarity
along Washington Avenue across from the Trailways Bus Station. The
event, which originated four years ago in Baltimore, Maryland, is
sponsored by the UUCC Social Action Committee.
Monday Sept 4, 5:00pm, Budhist Peace Walkers
We will sponsor an overnight stay at the congregation facilities for
the
"Budhist Peace Walkers", a mostly Buddhist group who were walking
from the Peace Pagota in Grafton NY the World Trade Center site.
Sunday June 25,
2006: Religious Naturalists Sunday Service at the UUCC
Religious Naturalists find meaning through a
scientific understanding and deep respect for the natural world. This
appeals to many and has birthed a movement with the UU. Come and find
out more in a service
presented by Mike Ignatowski.
Wednesday June 21, 2006: Issues of our Times
Paula Silbey will give a talk in person about her recent trip to
Israel / Palestine with the International
Women's Peace Service
Sunday June 18, 2006: Margaret Baker will
present a report from Darfur at the UUCC
Maggie spent six months there last year with
the organization Doctors Without Borders. She lived in a refugee camp
training women to be midwives. She has many photos, as well as a short
video about Doctors Without Borders. Maggie will surprise you with what
she has to say about life there. Be sure not to miss this powerful
presentation. A collection will be taken for Doctors Without Borders.
Saturday June 17, 2006: At the UUCC
- E-mails from Israel/Palestine
Come and hear a moving presentation of e-mails from Rachel Corrie, the
young woman killed by an Israeli bulldozer, and our own Paula Silbey,
who will have just returned from Palestine. A discussion will follow.
Wednesday June 21, 2006: Issues of our Times
Don't miss this one! Paula Silbey will give a talk in
person about her recent trip to Israel / Palestine with the
International Women's Peace Service
Sunday May 7,2006: Crop Walk
Please join the walk or sponsor another
walker with a contribution. Forms are available each Sunday.
This annual event is a great way to support the food banks in the local
community.
Sunday April 30, 2006 "A Faith Based Perspective
on War and Non-Violence "
Donald Badgley, president of the Poughkeepsie Quakers, will give a talk
on "A
Faith Based Perspective on War and Non-Violence" at the UUCC Sunday
service on April 30th (9:00am and 11:00am). This is an updated version
of a speech he gave at a "Justice for All" forum last year. As a
Quaker, Donald has given a great deal of thought to the topic of war
and non-violence. I heard his talk last year, and I guarantee that you
will find it very thought provoking and moving. Wednesday
April 19, 2006: Issues of our Times
discussion at the UUCC
We will host a review and discussion of the
Earth Institute Forum's "State of the Planet 2006" held in March 2006
at Columbia University.
Tuesday April 18, 2006: Auction Lecture on The
Fall of Empires
(by Mike Ignatowski) at the UUCC
This is an auction fundraising event for the UUCC.
Sunday Feb 19, 2006: Book Discussion - The Left Hand of
God: Taking Back our
Country from the Religious Right by Rabbi Michael
Lerner. This book discussion group, to be led by Mike Ignatowski
and Dave Belden, will give us a great opportunity to study the thinking
of a highly sensible and innovative man who has deep insight into how a
liberal spirituality can transform politics. His latest book on
this topic speaks to non-believers and those who are ‘spiritual but not
religious’ as much as to religious people. The discussion will
continue for four Sundays at 10.00 am: February 19, March 5 and 19,
April 2.
Sunday Jan 7th,2006: Global Climate Change Presentation "
- the UUCC held a session on global climate
change where Jenny O'Grady Giddy and Randolph Horner discussed their
experiences at the Climate Change Summit in Montreal last December.
Sunday December 11th, 2005: Bags of Blessings -
A van full of food was collected and taken to the Family of Woodstock
Tuesday Dec 6th, 2005: Globalization and Trade: A View
from the Front Lines -
Betsy Sellers will talk about the current state of worldwide trade
negotiations, why they are taking place, who the key players are, and
what influences content. Betsy worked for three years as part of
the US WTO negotiating team, making frequent trips to Geneva to
participate
in trade talks.
Saturday Nov 26th, 2005: Buy Nothing day activities at
the UUCC
Free Rummage Sale - Free Holiday Gifts. Refreshments available.
Saturday Nov 19th, 2005: Alternative to Nazi Rally
- UUCC Members participated in the alternative events set up during Hal
Turner's "Nazi" rally in Kingston.
Tuesday Nov 15th,2005: "End the Death Penalty for Good"
-featuring Assembly Democratic representative Kevin Cahill, a critic of
capital
punishment. Other speakers include retired New York State prison
warden Stephen Dalsheim, and Sing-Sing chaplain Rev. Petero Sabume.
Sunday Oct 23rd,2005: Earthquake Relief Bake Sale
- Sponsored by our Religious Education Students.The religious education
program organized a bake sale with all proceeds going to the victims of
the recent earthquake in Pakistan.
Wednesday Oct 19th,2005: Issues of our Times at the
UUCC
Maude Bruce, a local NAACP leader, will speak on getting people
registered to vote and the main issues in the 2006 election.
Wednesday Sept 21st, 2005: Issues of our Times at the
UUCC
- Geovanny Trivino Outreach Coordinator Workers Rights Law
Center This group is a
expansion of the Farmers Rights Group that have been active in this
area for a long time.
Saturday Sept 17th, 2005: Conscientious Objection to War
- the UUCC Social Action Committee is co-sponsoring a training session
on
Conscientious Objection to War along with the Quaders in New Paltz.
Saturday Sept 17th, 2005: Beach cleanup in Kingston
Sunday Sept 11th, 2005: PEACE PATH project on the
anniversary of Sept 11th
- The goal is to invite other congregations and groups to help us
saturate sidewalks in
the Kingston area with People holding positive signs about peace,
non-violence and justice.
Sunday July 17th, 2005: Congressman Maurice Hinchey
will be speaking at the UUCC on Moral Values.
Saturday June 25th, 2005: Quaker Retreat at Eastern
Correctional
Facility
An inspirational day of meditation, song and fellowship.
Wednesday June 15th, 2005: Humanism, Religion and the
Future
June 9th - 12th, 2005: Earth and Religion Conference
at Bard College. See www.earthandreligion.org for more
information.
Sunday May 29th, 2005: Special Collection for the
Kingston Flood Victims
Wednesday May 18th, 2005: Issues of our Times at the
UUCC
Get your garden going and see a video featuring Bill Mollison, who
coined the term 'permaculture'.
Saturday May 7th, 2005: Reclaiming Our Voice: Liberal
Religious
Values in the 21 Century"
- Conerence in NYC sponsored by Interfaith Voices
Sunday December 12th, 2004: Bags of Blessings
A van full of food was collected and taken to the Family of Woodstock
Saturday November 27th, 2004: Buy Nothing day activities
at the UUCC
Free Rummage Sale - Free Holiday Gifts. Refreshments
available.
Live music, speakers, and films will be provided.
Saturday November 20th, 2004: Simplicity Workshop
- Pat McDonald, a career and simplicity coach, and Chris Harper will
run a
workshop about uncovering hundreds of little changes that make your
life more authentic and sensitive to the world around you, and creating
a support system for carrying those changes forward.
This event is co-sponsored by Sustainable Hudson
Valley and the Social Action Committee of the UUCC.
Wednesday November 17th, 2004: Issues of our Times at the
UUCC
The speaker for the Issues of our Times discussion is
Professor Carlos Lazo, First Secretary to the United Nations Mission
from Venezuela. We're going out on a limb here inviting a much
more prominent speaker than we have ever done for these Issues
discussions.
Sunday August 29th, 2004: Witness for our Principles in
NYC
- New York City metro-area UU congregations are planning joint events
and
actions to bear public witness to our principles and values of peace
and international cooperation. UU’s from coast to coast are
warmly invited to come to New York City to participate.
Most New York metro-area UU
churches will have special services on
Sunday, August 29 prior to a major march and rally starting at noon in
Manhattan. Hundreds of thousands of
people will join in this event sponsored by United for Peace and
Justice on the day before the Republican National Convention opens
Saturday July 24th, 2004: UUCC Highway Cleanup Session
Wednesday July 21st, 2004: Issues of Our Time Discussions
- The Separation of Church and
State
The topic of separation of church and state has been in the new a good
deal recently, especially as it applies to involvement of churches in
political campaigns. Join us for a lively discussion of this
issue, lead by a member of "Americans United for the Separation
of Church and State".
Sunday April 25th, 2004: March for Women’s Lives"
in Washington DC on April 25th is being co-sponsored by the UUA.
Judy Chase and Joanne Steele are organizing activities
and travel for members of our congregation in cooperation with the
Woodstock Women in Black. They are renting a comfortable bus with
a bathroom.
Wednesday April 21st, 2004: Issues of Our Time
Discussions - Parallel Roads to Disaster:
Germany 1933/USA 2003
Marty Laforse will present a lecture on "Parallel Roads to Disaster:
Germany 1933/USA 2003?" It is an attempt to identify key similarities
which
occurred despite vast cultural and historical differences, and will be
followed
by a question and answer period.
Sunday April 4th, 2004: Vigil in New Paltz in response to
Fred Phelps
Our current plans are to meet in the UUCC parking lot at 7:00am,
and car pool to New Paltz shortly after. We will return to the
UUCC for the 10:30 Sunday service. While in New Paltz we will
join a peaceful non-confrontational vigil as a counter-protest to
the visit by Fred Phelps. For more information on Fred Phelps,
see his web site at www.godhatesfags.com
Saturday April 3rd, 2004: UUCC Highway Cleanup Session
Sunday March 21st, 2004: Restorative Justice Sunday
Service by Theodore "Tee" Haywood.
Theodore "Tee" Haywood will offer a Sunday Service on the topic
"Justice, or Just-Us." He last visited UUCC as the keynote speaker for
our conference Coming Back.
Wednesday Feb 18th, 2004: Issues of Our Time Discussions
- North Korea / US Relations
The discussion will center on North Korean / US relations and in
particular how they relate to Korean history and reunification efforts,
nuclear proliferation, how the current relations got so bad and what
might happen in the future, and alternative US policies towards North
Korea. Mike Ignatowski and Stan Goldstein will facilitate.
Sunday Jan 18th, 2004: Letter Signing Campaign on
supporting the UN Population Fund (UNFPA)
Responding to an Action Alert from the UUA Washington Office for
Advocacy, the Social Action Committee sponsored a letter signing
campaign after the Jan 18th service to support continued funding of the
family planning activities at the UN Population Fund (UNFPA).
Thirty letters were signed and
faxed to the White House.
Sunday Dec 18th, 2003: Bags of Blessings
As part of the “Bags of Blessings” project at the congregation, we
collected and delivered 26 bags of food and 2 boxes of clothes to the
Family of Woodstock.
Wednesday Dec 17th, 2003: Issues of Our Time Discussions
- The Innocence Project
The Restorative Justice group will lead the discussion
for Issues of Our Time in the sanctuary. The topic will be "The
Innocence Project," a program which has led to the release of prisoners
through DNA evidence and has identified some factors that led to their
original convictions.
Saturday Dec 13th, 2003: Quaker Worship Service and Visit
to the Easter Correctional Facility
UUCC members will visit Eastern Correctional Facility, attending a
Quaker worship service in the morning and participating in a retreat in
the afternoon. Lunch will be prepared and served by participating
prisoners.
Wednesday Nov 19th, 2003: Book discussion on “In Our Own
Best Interests”
The SAC sponsored a book discussion on the book “In Our Own Best
Interests” By William F. Schulz, former head of the UUA and current
head of Amnesty International USA
Sunday Oct 19th, 2003: UUCC Environmental Committee Sunday
Service
The Environmental Committee sponsored the Sunday Service with Carl
Frankel as a guest speaker.
Wednesday Oct 15th, 2003: Socially Responsible Investment
The SAC co-Sponsored a Seminar on Socially Responsible Investment at
SUNY New Paltz
Saturday Sept 27th, 2003: Beach Cleanup
Members of the Enivornemental Committee sponsored a beach cleanup along
the Hudson River in Kintson.
Sept 20-21st, 2003: Interfaith Peace Walkers
We sponsored an overnight stay at the congregation facilities for the
"Interfaith Peace Walkers", a mostly Buddhist group who were walking
from the World Trade Center site to the Peace Pagota in Grafton NY.
Some members of the congregation also accompanied them on part
of their walk to the Buddhist Monestary above Woodstock
Saturday Sept 20th, 2003: Highway Cleanup
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