It’s important to WHUUF’s Members that we live our values.
Monthly Meetings
Anyone is welcome to attend our monthly Social Justice Community meetings. Meet new folks, bring ideas, and learn what we’re all about! Meetings are typically held on the 2nd Monday of each month at 4pm in Forest Hall. Next meeting is December 9th, 4pm in Forest Hall. Contact Wendy if you would like the agenda beforehand!
Help us grow the WHUUF Social Justice Newsletter! Our monthly newsletter compiles social justice-themed essays, petitions, initiatives, and a variety of events to attend. We want to grow our subscribers to 100!
To sign up for our newsletter, click here.
WHUUF is active in social justice events, including:
Social Justice Conversation & Camaraderie monthly after the Service
Happening December 22nd
Join the Social Justice Community for Conversation and Camaraderie in Forest Hall after the service. Gather with other social justice conscious WHUUFers most every 4th Sunday. We’ll discuss what issues are important to you, what you’d like to see more folks get involved in, and learn more ways to assist immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees! Ask questions about social justice work at WHUUF, and find out how you can be a part. So grab a snack and join in on the conversation! All are welcome.
Questions? Megan Esler
Social Justice Open House
Sunday, September 29th, Forest Hall after the service
Join us for a Social Justice Open House on Sunday, September 29th from 11:30-1:00 in Forest Hall! Want to meet and connect with some of the folks at WHUUF working to make a difference? Hear all the ways we are involved in social justice initiatives, share what interests you, and get inspired. Be sure to stop by!
Two Minute Actions
2-Minute Actions:
- Tell you state legislators to pass Food For All Oregonians that would expand assistance to youth and elders regardless of immigration status and would create a SNAP-like program in Oregon to help families with rising grocery costs.
- Sign the petition for the Clean Slate Act in Congress, which would provide formally incarcerated individuals with an actual second chance—breaking down the barriers to jobs, housing, and education that are needed for a successful re-entry to society.
- Join the ACLU in telling President Biden to do all in his power while he is still President to protect our democracy. Share your thoughts here!
- Sign up here to receive updates and news alerts about the Equal Rights for All ballot initiative in the works in the Oregon legislature.
Help us grow the
WHUUF Social Justice Newsletter! Our monthly newsletter compiles social justice-themed essays, petitions, initiatives, and a variety of events to attend. Join us after the service in the coffee room – we want to grow our subscribers to 100!
Volunteer Opportunities
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- Want to help us deliver meals to families in coordination with our friends at Western Farm Workers this holiday season? Contact Megan Esler if you want to help out! Delivery dates are 11/26 and 12/23, and you can be both a driver and a passenger to participate.
- We could use help organizing our holiday Giving Tree for Western Farm Workers Association! Make ornaments, collect and sort gifts, and help us deliver to WFW in Hillsboro by December 11th. Contact wendycluse@gmail.com if you want to lend a hand—organizing is underway!
- We are always looking for folks to share a little bit of their time to help make the WHUUF Social Justice Community happen. Here are our current opportunities!
CareNet Seeking Volunteer Drivers
CareNet is seeking volunteers to be on our list of available drivers for members in need of rides to medical appointments and such. If you are interested in being a volunteer driver, please reply to CareNet@whuuf.org with your name, email and phone number and a subject heading of VOLUNTEER DRIVING INTEREST
To be placed on the list, each driver candidate will need to provide evidence of a clear driving record for the last three years and consent to a basic background check. The three-year driving record can be obtained for a fee from the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles. WHUUF will reimburse that expense.
Our office can help you with both of these vetting processes.
Thanks in advance for your interest in helping out.
Emergency Contact Info
Would you consider giving us your emergency contact information in case you need help when you’re at WHUUF? If so, please send Jen an email at admin@whuuf.org with the name(s) of your emergency contacts along with their phone numbers and email addresses. Simple! And so appreciated!
Welcoming Congregation
WHUUF is a proud Welcoming Congregation. This means we affirm and include people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer at every level of congregational life—in our Sunday services, in programs, and in social occasions.
Donate the Basket
Every month, WHUUF gives the collection taken at one of the Sunday services to a group such as Red Lodge Transition Services, a Native American-led organization that provides culturally focused programs for women releasing from jail, prison or treatment. The Social Justice Committee votes on the organizations that will receive these donations.
Donate the Basket for October/November/December 2024:
Respond to Racism
This quarter’s Donate The Basket goes to Lake Oswego-based Respond to Racism, which strives to fight racism in both its city and schools through monthly presentations, participation in events focused on marginalized communities, and designation of scholarship recipients.
WHUUF Giving Tree
Be a part of an honored WHUUF tradition and help fulfill the holiday wishes of the children of members of Western Farm Workers Association! This year we are supporting 30-40 kids ranging from infants to teenagers.
Check out the tree in the main foyer starting November 17th and choose a child’s ornament (their wishes are printed on the back of the ornament). Fill out your name and contact information on the sign up sheet next to the tree. We’ll also have a virtual sign up!
UNWRAPPED gifts must be dropped off at WHUUF before December 9th. More details on drop offs will be shared with all participating.
Questions? contact Wendy Cluse
Letter Writing for Human Rights
Write a Letter. Save a life!
This activity is over, but please contact Terrie Rodello to write more letters and to find out more!
Write for Rights Party! Please join us before the holidays for our annual December letter-writing party in honor of Amnesty International’s Write for Rights ! We’ll write letters to stand in solidarity with and free human rights defenders across the world and shine a light on human rights abuses.
Questions? Reach out to Terrie Rodello
Backpack Program
Our food backpack program volunteers do a great job helping at Aloha-Huber Park K-8 School to send the elementary kids home every weekend with enough food for the whole family. Talk to our Social Justice team about signing up to help
Pride Parade
WHUUF Members and our minister participate in local Pride celebrations.
Social Justice Services
Our Sunday Worship Services are occasionally hosted by the Social Justice Community, showcasing the work that WHUUFers are involved in.
Black Lives Matter and Race Talks
WHUUF members actively support Black Lives Matter and the Race Talks programs.
Move to Amend
WHUUF members have participated in the Move to Amend (the Constitution to say that money is not speech and corporations are not people).
Raging Grannies
Raging Grannies Portland was founded by WHUUF members and continues to provide spicy commentary on current issues.
Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon
Some of our members participate in the social justice programs of the Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon.
Oregon UU Voices for Justice
WHUUF is active with this statewide advocacy network that mobilizes Unitarian Universalists and our congregations to work for public policies in the state of Oregon that embody our UU principles of justice, equity, compassion in human relations and global stewardship.
Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice
WHUUF is a member of Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice, a coalition of over 20 diverse faith communities encompassing UU, Catholic, Protestant and Jewish congregations. Through advocacy and outreach, we strive to educate the community about the injustices of current immigration policies and provide real opportunities to take action for change.
Link to Resource Page handed out during October 1, 2023 service on Asylum support