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The Social Justice Council (SJC) and its members have been very active recently. Below are some of the important activities we’re involved in:

Immigration

Several events and consortiums have taken place recently, with SJC members participating in demonstrations, press conferences, and lobbying days at the State Capitol to support a strengthened Trust Act. (The Trust Act is a Connecticut law that limits how local police can cooperate with ICE, except in specific cases such as convictions for Class A or B felonies or federal warrants.) A bill to strengthen the act is currently before the legislature. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Burton or Rev. Tony.

An interfaith consortium is also working on practical ways volunteers can assist immigrant families affected by detention or deportation. More information will be shared soon. Please see Nancy with any questions.

LGBTQ+

We continue to work closely with Meriden Pride, which has a robust calendar of events, many of which are listed in our newsletter. Meriden Pride has also launched its own newsletter. You can subscribe at: https://meriden-pride.beehiiv.com/subscribe.

Members of SJC and Rev. Tony recently testified before the Meriden City Council in support of flying the Pride Flag every June at the Curtiss Cultural Center. The motion passed, and the flag-raising ceremony will take place on June 2 at 5 PM. We hope many of you can attend.

We’ll also have a table at Middletown Pride Fest on June 7, right next to Meriden Pride’s booth. Some members will march in the parade with them. Volunteers are needed to staff our table—please see Kristy Goodrich for details.

Mark your calendars for Meriden Pride Fest at UUCM on August 16. We’ll have a booth at the event and need volunteers to help set up, take down, and staff it.

Emily Drennen has organized a Queer Justice Group at UUCM, which hosts monthly potluck dinners for queer individuals and their families. Contact Emily for more information.

Refugee Resettlement

We’re collaborating with an interfaith group to help resettle a family from Afghanistan. The family includes a wheelchair-bound father, a mother, and two children. Much support is needed to help them settle in. Please speak with Diane Szymaszek if you'd like to volunteer. There will likely be more opportunities for us to help as a congregation in the future.

Laundry Love

We’re involved with an interfaith group in Meriden that helps people in need do their laundry for free at a local laundromat, “Love in Every Fold.” This service is offered on Tuesday mornings. Contact Jane Dioguardi for more information or to volunteer—she could use some help.

Demonstrations

SJC members have attended several demonstrations around the state. For more details, talk to any SJC member.

UU CT SJM

A steering committee is working to establish a statewide group for social justice teams from UU congregations. For more information, contact Nancy Burton.

Sharing the Plate

SJC has been receiving 25% of the undesignated cash donations from Sunday collection plates. Recognizing that many of our own members are also in need, we’ve decided to split this amount equally with the Pastoral Care Team—because justice begins at home.

Ways You Can Help

Here’s a list of volunteer opportunities:

  • Contact state legislators and the governor to support a stronger Trust Act

  • Sign up to help immigrant families with detained or deported loved ones

  • Attend rallies in support of immigrants’ rights or other social justice issues

  • Join the Pride Flag raising on June 2 at 5 PM at the Curtiss Cultural Center

  • Volunteer for our table at Middletown Pride Fest on June 7 (contact Kristy Goodrich)

  • Volunteer for our booth at Meriden Pride Fest at UUCM on August 16

  • Assist with Queer Potlucks at our church (contact Emily Drennen)

  • Help resettle the Afghan refugee family we’re sponsoring (contact Diane Szymaszek)

  • Volunteer for Laundry Love on Tuesday mornings (contact Jane Dioguardi)

Ministries
Social Justice at UUCM