UUs in New Jersey

Come build a land…where justice shall roll down like waters, And peace like an ever flowing stream.
  - From the hymn, We’ll Build a Land

Every Unitarian Universalist congregation in New Jersey has an active Social Justice program, and all New Jersey UU congregations are considered participants in the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of  New Jersey.  To date, 16 congregations have chosen to affiliate with UULMNJ, representing 93% of UUs in New Jersey.

New Jersey UU Congregations

Baptistown

First UU Fellowship of Hunterdon County
Congregational liaison: Amy Tiedemann

Bordentown

Dorothea Dix UU Community

Cherry Hill

UU Church in Cherry Hill
Congregational liaisons: Ken Goldberg, Karen Lawrence
Social Justice

East Brunswick

The Unitarian Society A UU Congregation
Congregational liaison: Rosemary Szegeda, Ray Deeney
Social Justice: The Unitarian Society seeks to live its commitment to justice and equality through several "Outreach Ministries", as well as supporting a wide variety of groups and causes through or "Cash-in-Basket" donations.

Englewood

UU Congregation of the Palisades
Congregational liaison: Bonnie Sevitz
The Racial and Social Justice Team grew out of the UUCP participation in the UUA Antiracist Multicultural Congregations Pilot Project. The Team has a 3-strand focus which includes: anti-racism and anti-oppression work, social service work, and the work of celebrating diversity. The UUCP Vision Statement and the UUCP Resolution On Anti-Racism are the guidelines for the development of the tasks and functions of the Justice Team.

Galloway

UU Congregation of the South Jersey Shore
Congregational liaison: Angela Jones
The UUCSJS Social Justice Committee focuses on the topic of Sustainability and Environmental Justice. We have been able to reach out to local environmental groups and join our efforts with theirs to make positive changes in our community. In the past year, we have tabled at several local eco-fairs, provided educational opportunities at our UU Center (which were always free and open to the public), written letters to representatives requesting their support with social justice and environmental issues. We have also continued our support for local peace groups, hosted our annual Iraq War commemoration, and much, much more.  Our Committee meets after service at 11:30 on the first Sunday of every other month.

Hackettstown

Skylands UU Fellowship
Congregational liaison:

Lincroft

UU Congregation of Monmouth County
Congregational liaisons: Rick Goldberg, Bill Nordahl
The Social Action Committee provides opportunities for spiritual and personal growth through social action, meaningful action that has an impact on the world outside our congregation. We sponsor programs to directly engage members and friends of UUCMC in social action. We provide information and education to the UUCMC on peace and social justice issues of importance to the membership. We engage with other organizations outside UUCMC and let the UUCMC community know about opportunities to attend or volunteer at activities sponsored by these other organizations.

Montclair

The UU Congregation at Montclair
Congregational liaison: Diane Finn
Social Justice: Whether we are involved in tutoring childrenl, protesting war and demanding peace, fighting racism, or fostering tolerance of all sexual orientations, we are a community of activists.

Morristown

Morristown Unitarian Fellowship
Congregational liaison: Toby Tyler
Social action groups include: Blood Bank, Green Earth Ministry, Interfaith Council for Homeless Families of Morris County, Seeds of Peace, Service Committee Action Network, Social Responsibilities,  Soup Kitchen.

Newton

UU Fellowship of Sussex County
Congregational liaison: Jeri Doherty
Social Action commitments include Manna House, Sussex County Interfaith Hospitality Network, People Help, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Project Self-Sufficiency, Spirit Rising, Heifer Project, Fair Trade project.

Orange

First UU Church of Essex County
Congregational liaison: Frank Barszcz
Social and Earth Action Committee: To coordinate and direct activities of church members in the community and on social and environmental issues, and to facilitate planning & support for church activities and programs that highlight the UUA's Seventh Principle.

Paramus

Central Unitarian Church
Congregational liaisons: Sally Gellert, Ilene Gilbert
Help Heal Our World: Take part in our rich array of activities promoting social justice, from fundraising for local charities to work with homeless shelters and food banks.

Plainfield

First Unitarian Society of Plainfield
Congregational liaison: Karen Hawkins
The Social Action programs at FUSP work to locally address global issues of social justice. Through our outreach, educational and public advocacy projects, we seek to build community, empower citizens politically and within the legal system, alleviate hunger and homelessness, end racism, support public education and public health, and protect the environment.

Princeton

UU Congregation of Princeton
Congregational liaisons: Frances Prestianni and Karen Siracusa
In 2005, our congregation made the historic decision to devote a portion of our operating budget to our Social Justice Ministry. We emphasize economic justice issues: poverty, hunger and homelessness, focusing on empowerment rather than charity. The Social Justice Committee serves as the umbrella organization for our congregation’s Social Justice Ministry. UUCP members and friends of the congregation are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings and learn more about how we work to achieve social justice. Committee meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month.

Ridgewood

The Unitarian Society of Ridgewood
Congregational liaisons: Ira Mendelsberg and Anita Young
The Social Responsibility Council provides leadership and support to all of the USR social action projects and events, insures continuity in and between current projects, encourages participation by the congregation in ongoing projects and keeps the congregation informed about relevant social issues not addressed by specific action committees.  The Council manages a Yahoo group bulletin board that keeps all subscribers up to date on a wealth of issues. Lastly, it manages a USR monthly plate collection process whereby the proceeds of that designated Sunday collection(s) is donated to a voted upon social action cause.  

Somerville

UU Congregation of Somerset Hills
In Somerset County there are many opportunities for social action.  UUCSH is fortunate to have two outstanding and award-winning activist groups:  The Giving Network, a hands-on group, providing food, clothing, and household goods to people in the Somervillle area, and our Social Action Committee, actively promoting causes and responding to the issues of the day.  We are also a Peace Site, participating in many interfaith activities to promote peace.  

Summit

The Unitarian Church in Summit
Congregational liaison: Carolyn Baldachinni
Unitarian Universalists are woven throughout the fabric of American history by a common thread of dedication to public service.  At the Unitarian Church of Summit, we strive to build on this tradition by not only being a center for peace and tolerance, but also a voice for social justice in our community and our larger world. It is our belief that the path to better, more meaningful lives rests in completely inclusive spirituality, service to others and stewardship. Our calling is to heal our world.

Titusville

Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing
Congregational liaison: Lynne Quinto

Toms River

UU Ocean County Congregation
Congregational liaison: Pat Robinson

Wayne

Lakeland UU Fellowship
Congregational liaison: