In September 2003, the Board of Directors of UUFSD voted to launch a new approach to the Fellowship's outreach in order to better fulfill our mission to "transform the world, one person at a time." Rather than a single committee carrying out social action projects, UUFSD now has a Social Justice Ministry committed to engaging the entire congregation in the ongoing work of social and environmental justice.

The Ministry selects areas of special interest in social justice work and provides opportunities for involvement of the entire congregation. In their first year, the Social Justice Ministry has chosen three major “initiatives,” or areas of concentration, for all our outreach efforts. Each of these initiatives were introduced in a sermon series entitled, "Living Our Principles," and were accompanied with weekly opportunities for involvement in a host of social justice projects.

The first initiative, Environmental Justice, was part of an exploration of what it means to fully live the seventh UU principle, “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”

The second initiative, Economic Justice, gave all members in the congregation opportunities to live principle one, "The inherent worth and dignity of every person."

Our third initiative, Conscience and the Democratic Process, was introduced in the April 29, 2004 sermon. It is based on the fifth principle, “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.” This principle was selected because of the upcoming national elections and the seriousness of the issues at stake in those elections, issues of war and peace, of basic liberties, of security and safety, of economic health. Please see the activities page for information about the activities planned for this initiative.

The Ministry is guided by our minister, Rev. Dr. Kathy Fuson Hurt and three associates, selected for their unique gifts in leadership of outreach. To find out more about the Social Justice Ministry, contact one of the associates.