JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
This area of ministry encompasses a number of Ministry Teams. It encompasses not only our external engagement with the community on social justice issues, but also opportunities to examine ourselves within so that we in our own lives are aligned with justice ministries, such as racial justice, climate justice, economic justice, food and health security, LGBTQ+ welcoming and inclusion.
NEW JERSEY TOGETHER/ESSEX TOGETHER
We were proud to be a founding member of Essex Together in Spring 2023. Through Essex Together we join with organizations across the county (and in NJ Together across the state) to advocate on issues around criminal justice reform, education reform, and green energy. If you are interested in getting involved, click here.
RACIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY TEAM
We have a Racial Justice Ministry Team which guides our work towards internal transformation and external solidarity around issues of racial justice. We recognize that racial justice intersects with many other issues, and see our work with NJ Together, towards refugee resettlement, and towards food security as part of our racial justice work. More movies will be announced for the Let's Watch film series in September 2024. If you are interested in getting involved, click here.
REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT
Our congregation has been committed to refugee resettlement for decades. Most recently, we have been working with Church World Service to offer temporary shelter and accompany recent arrivals as they transition to life in our area. If you are interested in getting involved, click here.
CREATION JUSTICE/CLIMATE JUSTICE
What started as 3 congregations (First Congregational Church, Union Congregational Church, and B'nai Keshet) has grown to fifteen congregations and three community groups interested in working together on issues of climate change. We have a name, Interfaith Climate Justice NJ, and have hopes of welcoming groups from surrounding towns. Bouyed by the turnout of the June 23rd march, the group is meeting on Thursday,July 18 at 7pm in the Assembly Room at Union Congregational Church. All are invited to attend and share information on individual areas of expertise and help decide future campaigns and events. We are always seeking to live out our commitment to care for God’s creation. This has included the installation of solar panels in 2020, the partnership with Northeast Earth Coalition to create a community garden (2022), and the ongoing efforts to “green” our campus and educate ourselves. If you are interested in getting involved, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
FOOD SECURITY
We work to support non-profit partners in our community that work towards food security with our time, talent and treasure. We seek out regular opportunities for hands on service by preparing food for Christine’s Kitchen supplies for Bridges, MESH and CUMAC. If you are interested in getting involved, click here.
MORE!
What are you passionate about? If you have an idea of how we can live out our call to create a just world for all, click here. and tell us all about it.
