community service projects
Coordinated by the Social Action Committee, our members provide goods and service to the local community through these activities:
Adopt-a-Class • This is a holiday gift project for children in the Head Start Program. Contact Justine Sherwood.
Adopt-a-Highway Road Clean-up • We pick up trash along State Route 3, just north of Wooster 3-4 times each year. Contact Jay Klemme.
Cakes for Kids • We provide birthday cakes for residents of a local women’s shelter. Contact Sue Gross.
Open Plate Collections • Proceeds from the Open Plate collection on the last Sunday of each month are donated to organizations working to ameliorate food insecurity, mental and physical health needs, and justice issues. Past recipients have included the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the Viola Startzman Clinic, Trinity UCC‘s Breakfast Program and OneEighty, which offers a range of services related to issues such as sexual assault, domestic violence and substance abuse.
People to People Ministries • Collections of cash and nonperishable food items are taken one Sunday a month for this agency which provides basic needs for local people. Contact Betty Schuler.
Recycling Projects • At the Fellowship, we collect inkjet cartridges, paper/cardboard for recycling.
Salvation Army Bell Ringing • Members volunteer to ring the bell before Christmas to benefit the shelter and other programs. Contact Bert Bishop.
Travelers’ Toiletries • Toiletries from motel/hotel stays are donated to local shelters for use by their temporary residents.
STATE, NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INVOLVEMENT
Fair Trade • Products such as coffee and chocolate are sold after Sunday services with profits donated to the Social Action Committee. UUFWC also participates in the Wooster Scarlet, Gray and Green Fair in order to promote better prices for disadvantaged farmers of the world. Contact Sue Gross.
Microfinance • Our Equal Exchange CDs fund a line of credit to support Fair Trade with loans to small family farmers. Our Calvert Community Investment Note supports the Women Investing in Women Initiative. (WIN-WIN)
UU Justice Ohio Network • (UUJO) unites Ohio UU congregations and other social justice organizations in promoting social, economic, environmental and racial justice. Fees to UUJO of $2 per UUFWC member are paid through the Social Action budget.
UU Service Committee • Through the budget of the Social Action Committee, an annual congregational gift of $1 per member supports this organization working to advance human and social justice throughout the world.
ECUMENICAL ACTIVITIES
Alternative Gift Market • In cooperation with other area churches, the UUFWC provides an opportunity to reduce commercialization of the holidays and encourage the purchase of gifts which improve the lives of others. Contact Mary Wicks.
Behind Bars and Beyond • Members of the Wooster Interfaith Justice Committee formed this re-entry community support group for citizens who have been incarcerated for misdemeanors or felonies and now are seeking re-entry into our communities. Collaborative community partnerships have made this an effective committee. Contact Cheryl Guthrie.
Green Sanctuary Program • We are a UUA accredited Green Sanctuary Congregation working closely with the Wooter Interfaith Justice Committee on environmental concerns in our area, such as pipelines and water usage.
Racial Justice Working Group • UUFWC members and friends have formed this coalition dedicated to racial and ethnic peace and justice in Wayne County. Please see their page.
Wooster Interfaith Justice Committee • The UUFWC has joined with area churches in order to educate our members and develop ecumenical programs designed to address local issues related to poverty and homelessness, immigration, prisoner re-entry, and the environment. Membership is open to anyone interested. Contact Betty Schuler.