On December 10, 1948 the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) is guided by the Preamble and 30 Articles in their Mission Statement. Take a moment and read this and and our Seven Principles. This is our Foundation as Unitarian Universalists.

Here, in Bethlehem, The UUCLV has a rich history of involvement in many social justice issues. From the time of our founding, over 50 years ago, to the current day we have been a guiding light in the Lehigh Valley for Social Justice

Our Projects

Some of the projects that we as a group, individually or as a congregation, are involved in are listed below. This is, by no means, a comprehensive list. Many members of the congregation are involved in Social Justice issues on their own. Others are just not listed here.

If you would like to be a part of any of these or would like to start your own please contact a member of the Social Action Committee or, better yet, stop by our monthly meeting. We meet the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:15pm in Friedemarie's Kitchen. All members and friends of The UUCLV are welcome at our meetings. Hope to see you there!

The Salvation Army Soup Kitchen
For 10 years, or more, a changing, but dedicated, group of volunteers has given a Sunday afternoon (sometimes on holidays such as Christmas, Easter or Thanksgiving) to prepare and serve a great Sunday dinner to the less fortunate at the Bethlehem Salvation Army. We do this 4 or 5 times a year and are considered one of the most reliable groups in the volunteer pool. This is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community and, as an added bonus, it's a really fun experience.

Food Bank
Every Sunday we collect non-perishable food items from members of the congregation to be shared with local food banks.

Fair Trade Sale
The UUCLV is proud to participate in the Ten Thousand Villages Festival program. In late November or early December we hold a sale of fairly traded items provided by Ten Thousand Villages.

Ten Thousand Villages provides vital, fair income to Third World people by marketing their handicrafts and telling their stories in North America. Ten Thousand Villages works with artisans who would otherwise be unemployed or underemployed. This income helps pay for food, education, health care and housing. Your fair trade purchase of handmade jewelry, home decor and gifts helps improve the lives of thousands of artisans in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.

Join us or, better yet, volunteer to assist in this project.

Annual Nazareth to Bethlehem Peace Pilgrimage
For almost 50 years, during the Christmas season, people who believe in the importance of Peace have been gathering in Nazareth to walk the ten miles to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. This pilgrimage, symbolic of the journey of Mary and Joseph, provides all of us, those who walk, those who pass us on the highway and even those who just read about the walk in the Sunday paper, with an opportunity to think about what Christmas really means. Spend this one afternoon taking a stand for what really matters. Come, walk with your family and friends, and make new friends who seek a more peaceful world. If you are concerned about your ability to complete the ten-mile walk you should know that there are both frequent rest stops and relief transportation.

By being part of this pilgrimage we "live" our values, specifically our 6th Principle, "The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all"

Fair Trade Coffee
UUs love coffee! We always have a pot on no matter what the event. Our church serves Fair Trade coffee for all events, if possible. In order to provide a "fair" price for the coffee beans roasters and distributors must charge a little more per cup. When you see a basket around the coffee pot consider a small (really small, like $.50) donation. This will enable the church to continue purchasing fair trade coffee thus supporting small coffee growers around the world.

Turning Point Back-to-School and Holiday Projects
Turning Point of Lehigh Valley is a safe place where victims of abuse and their children can find refuge. Twice a year, during the Christmas season and again before school starts, the generous members and friends of The UUCLV donate gifts, money and supplies to the families who have been driven out of their homes by domestic violence. The impact of these gifts cannot be measured. It shows the children and woman that there are kind and caring people in their community and gives them hope.

Shared Plate - Monthly Social Action Focus
Every Sunday 1/4 of the non-pledge plate collection during our service is donated to a cause or group (both local and national/international) chosen by the members of the Social Action Committee. This is a way for the entire congregation to directly participate in the Justice work of The UUCLV.

Code Blue Homeless Shelter (Winter months)
During the winter of 2008-2009 The UUCLV joined together with other churches in the Bethlehem area to provide shelter for people with no place to be sheltered. We cooked or purchased food, showed movies

Welcoming Congregation
In 2001 through a congregational vote, the UUCLV officially became a "Welcoming Congregation" to the GLBT. It declared it's mission statement to read: To challenge the members of the UUCLV to be open to all people and to fostering a nurturing community of mutual acceptance, respect and love.

HAVEN
Shortly after officially becoming a "Welcoming Congregation" the UUCLV formed HAVEN (Hope, Acceptance, Validation, Equality, Nurturing) a unique opportunity for GLBT youth to meet once a week in a safe and supportive environment. Visit The HAVEN web page for more details about the program and activities.

Pride Fest
Pride of the Greater Lehigh Valley has been in existence, organizing the pride festival since 1993. What began as small community festival has evolved into the dynamic arts and culture celebration of today. The event includes vendors, merchants, artisans, business services and community groups, games and live entertainment. The UUCLV supports Pridefest and is a visible supporter - marching in the opening parade, having a booth at the festival and, this year, as Silent Witness members.

Silent Witness
Silent Witness PA (SWPA) is an organization of gay and straight allies dedicated to providing a non-confrontational buffer between those who condemn others based on their sexual orientation or identity and those they condemn. The UUCLV has members trained by Silent Witness PA and has held Silent Witness training in our church.

Women's Center Escorts
Most mornings each week members of The UUCLV provide escorts for woman with appointments at the Allentown Woman's Center. These woman are accosted by fervent radicals opposed to all forms of birth control and woman's health issues.

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
UUSC advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies. The UUSC is supported solely by it's members; UUs around the world. By joining the UUSC or contributing to Guest At Your Table you are a part of this great work.

This is just a partial list of activities that our congregation has supported. Be a part of our great tradition; add your social justice passion to the list or join one of the current activities.