take action!
Are you interested in issues of social justice and environmental sustainability?
You’ll find ways to express your beliefs and concerns through the many groups in our congregation working to build awareness of issues and help those in need. Unitarian Universalism has a long history of social action for peace and justice. Our groups welcome new members!
You’ll find ways to express your beliefs and concerns through the many groups in our congregation working to build awareness of issues and help those in need. Unitarian Universalism has a long history of social action for peace and justice. Our groups welcome new members!
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Environmental Action Group
The Environmental Action Group is tackling the Climate Change Crisis, which was adopted in October 2019 by the Congregation as its principal focus for Social Responsibility activities up to & including 2023. This promotes our UU seventh principle: respect for the interdependent web of all existence. The EAG is leading FirstU activities and programming, with the support of the Social Responsibility Coordinating Team and Council. |
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Refugee Support
On an ad hoc basis we facilitate the settlement of individual refugees and/or families through such tasks as arranging housing, banking, schooling and health issues. Adopt-a-Riverbank Project
Our congregation has “adopted” three kilometres of the Ottawa riverbank from Woodroffe Ave. to Dominion Ave. Currently, an informal group of volunteers takes on a spring clean-up of the shoreline. |
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Justice and Equality Action Group
The Justice and Equality Action Group is an amalgamation of three smaller groups focused, respectively, on Global Justice, Poverty, FirstU's participation in Unitarian Universalists at the United Nations.
The group’s mandate is to educate itself and the community about situations of injustice and inequitable treatment of people, and to work to establish justice and equality. We encourage congregational members to deliberate on issues of social justice, advocate for social change, and join with other people of faith and goodwill.
We maintain a connection with and promote the work of the UU United Nations Office (UU-UNO), participate in local actions and campaigns such as Multifaith Housing Initiative's Tulipathon fundraiser and Dignity For All's annual Chew On This! food security campaign, and raise funds for our various projects through annual gift sales of fair trade luxury and household products.
The Justice and Equality Action Group is an amalgamation of three smaller groups focused, respectively, on Global Justice, Poverty, FirstU's participation in Unitarian Universalists at the United Nations.
The group’s mandate is to educate itself and the community about situations of injustice and inequitable treatment of people, and to work to establish justice and equality. We encourage congregational members to deliberate on issues of social justice, advocate for social change, and join with other people of faith and goodwill.
We maintain a connection with and promote the work of the UU United Nations Office (UU-UNO), participate in local actions and campaigns such as Multifaith Housing Initiative's Tulipathon fundraiser and Dignity For All's annual Chew On This! food security campaign, and raise funds for our various projects through annual gift sales of fair trade luxury and household products.
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Truth and Reconciliation Action Group
Formerly called the Indigenous Relations Working Group, the newly formed Truth & Reconciliation Action Group includes people from FirstU and the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ottawa. Our goals include: raising awareness and educating non-Indigenous people, participating as allies in initiatives led by Indigenous organizations, advocating for systemic change, and fundraising. For more information or to join our group, please contact trag@firstunitarianottawa.ca |
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Unitarian GoGos Action Group
Unitarian GoGos are a dynamic group of about 20 congregants and community members, who have come together to support grassroot organizations in sub Saharan Africa that in turn support African Grandmothers and their communities as they care for their orphaned grandchildren and turn the Tide of HIV/AIDS. This is done in collaboration with the Grandmothers to Grandmothers Campaign, which is a branch of the Stephen Lewis Foundation, an inclusive, anti colonial, feminist organization which has a stellar reputation worldwide in the fight against HIV/AIDS. |
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Unitarian GoGos are part of a regional network of 17 groups in the Ottawa Gatineau area and approximately 200 in Canada and three other countries.
The group learns about the impact of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and how we can make a difference and plans fundraising events such as a plant Sale in May, dinners or take out from local restaurants, a walkathon, sales of Theatre tickets, bake sales and more. Some of our fundraisers were cancelled or modified over the last 2 years to adapt to Covid 19 but are now returning to a modified normal as much as possible. We welcome new members and all are welcome, not just Grandmothers. Meetings of our group are at the church at 1:30 pm on the third Thursday of the month.
If you'd like to attend a meeting, join the group, or support a project, please contact gogos@firstunitarianottawa.ca
The group learns about the impact of HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and how we can make a difference and plans fundraising events such as a plant Sale in May, dinners or take out from local restaurants, a walkathon, sales of Theatre tickets, bake sales and more. Some of our fundraisers were cancelled or modified over the last 2 years to adapt to Covid 19 but are now returning to a modified normal as much as possible. We welcome new members and all are welcome, not just Grandmothers. Meetings of our group are at the church at 1:30 pm on the third Thursday of the month.
If you'd like to attend a meeting, join the group, or support a project, please contact gogos@firstunitarianottawa.ca
