Social Justice Committee
A revitalized Social Justice Committee began meeting in January 2008 with Pat Yosha as coordinator. New members are very welcome. Meeting dates are included in the FUUSE Weekly Update and the Newsletter. Anyone who wishes to be alerted to social justice issues may also sign up for the Social Justice Committee email list by emailing .
Peace Activities
Peace Action is the single focus for this year. Meaningful activities will be developed in the months ahead. Peacemaking also is the UUA's Congregational Study Action Issue (CSAI) for 2006–2010. It is worded as follows: “Should the Unitarian Universalist Association reject the use of any and all kinds of violence and war to resolve disputes between peoples and nations and adopt a principle of seeking just peace through nonviolent means?”
On the local level, Bob Moore helps to lead a peace vigil in front of the Exeter Town Hall every Thursday from 5–6 p.m.
Other Issues
The Social Justice Committee believes there are other key issues that deserve our attention including the economy, diversity, and health care access, world issues such as hunger anda AIDS, and areas of conflict such as Darfur. Activities related to these issues may from time to time be the focus of SJC.
SJC's Interests and Commitments
The Social Justice Committee's (SJC) activities reflect the interests and commitments of its members and FUUSE. At the same time it takes its legitimacy from actions of the UU General Assembly emphasizing areas of social concern.
The SJC provides members of FUUSE with educational background and alerts on various issues so they may express their values and thinking to elected state and national officials and the media. The SJC organizes letter-writing campaigns and petition signing. Outside FUUSE, the SJC speaks only for the Committee, honoring the variety of viewpoints within FUUSE, unless a congregational vote has been taken.
Task Forces
A number of task forces are under the umbrella of the Social Justice Committee: Green Sanctuary Project, Welcoming Congregation, and Outreach. The Social Justice Committee will have liaisons with them.
Unitarian Universalist Action Network (UUAN)
First Unitarian Universalist Society, along with other New Hampshire UU churches, is a member of this network, which selects issues and urges combined action to make our voices more effective. UUAN has an email list for those who wish to be more effective advocates for progressive issues.
Other Groups
We the People In Search of the Common Good is a free public forum presented by FUUSE, and the Exeter Congregational and Episcopal Churches in cooperation with Philips Exeter Academy. Events are publicized in the newspapers.
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, nationally and locally, is a humanitarian organization providing know-how and assistance in developing nations and poorer regions of the United States.