Social Justice
A Core Value of Unitarian Universalism
Social Justice is not the work of one group alone but of the church as a whole, a core value of all we are and do together, the expression of our Unitarian Universalist Principles – respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all living things; equity and compassion in human relations; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process; a world community with peace, liberty and justice for all; mindful of the interdependent web of existence.
These are the times that our faith was intended for,
to help us act with courage in the face of fear and hate.
~ Chris Crass, Unitarian Universalist
What Does Social Justice Do?
In 2023, SUUS added outside flags for more visibility.
UU the Vote continues each election year, during which we write thousands of postcards, attend protests and rallies, and work to Get Out the Vote (GOTV). We continue to actively work for democracy so that our commitment to the rule of law, civil rights, and inclusion will not perish.
We participate in the NO KINGS DAYS, Peace demonstrations and other rallies across the state to support and honor our diverse and beloved marginalized communities. Contact Jere Armen
Our congregation became a Welcoming Congregation in 1993 through a program sponsored by our UUA. We actively on the Marriage Equality campaign and we continue to fight for rights and equality by tabling at the Guilford and Madison Pride festivals, dedicating our Share the Plate each June to a local or national LGBTQ+ organization, and participating in legislative and community actions as they arise. More info about our work is at the bottom of this page. Contact Mary Strieff or Molly Nolan
Environmental Team (Green Team) has targeted several areas of interest: SUUS Green Team can be proud that our efforts to sign petitions and email state representatives have encouraged a batch of environmentally-friendly bills this year in the CT Assembly: most notably the “Green Monster” bill in the House that sets specific targets for zero-carbon electricity by 2030. Each year, our children and youth participate in several clean-up and environmental projects. Contact Yann vanHeurk
Food Insecurity Team is working to alleviate hunger in our community. Our work continues at the Community Dining Room, Shoreline Food Pantries. SUUS collects food, paper products, toiletries and feminine products to distribute to the pantries and to IRIS. Our children and youth collect food, toiletries and clothing to distribute to the New London Homeless Shelter. Contact Barb Francese or Molly Nolan
Share the Plate Sundays and Outreach Offering
The Share the Plate program aims to embody SUUS’s principles and values by showcasing an organization that we will support each month. By donating 50% of our cash offering each week to a designated charity, we offer our congregation and all who visit SUUS a chance to become aware of the many needs in the area and the opportunity to make a difference in the world. Contact Jere Armen
Share the Plate Supports
the Following Organizations
- EMERGE
- CT Women Education & Legal Fund
- Clifford Beers Clinic
- IRIS
- Planned Parenthood
- CT Fund for the Environment
- Black Lives UU
- Shoreline Soup Kitchens
- Hurricane Relief for Texas, Florida and Puerto Rico
- Amistad Catholic Workers House
- Operation Fuel
- Orange Ribbons For Jamie
- Earthquake relief for Turkey and Syria
- The Poor People’s Campagin
- CT ACLU
- Covenant to Care
- RE-MEMBER (serving the Pine Ridge Reservation)
- UUSC for response to Ebola virus epidemic
- Center for Reproductive Rights
- National Resources Defense Council
- UUSC for earthquake relief in Nepal
- CT Bail Fund
- Equal Justice Initiative
- Care.org for Ukraine relief
- Branford Community Dining Room
- Hawkwing (CT based, serving the Cheyenne River Lakota Sioux Reservation)
- Fuel assistance in Madison, Branford, Clinton and Guilford
- Youth Service Opportunities
- League of Conservation Voters
- CT Food Bank
- Call to Care Uganda
- KIVA
- Connecticut Climate Crisis
- Save the Sound
- Native American Rights Fund.
Our Welcoming Congregation
Shoreline Unitarian is a UUA Welcoming Congregation 
SUUS was recognized as a Welcoming Congregation by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in 1993. This means SUUS commits to being inclusive and expressive of the concerns of GLBTQ persons at every level of congregational life – in worship, in programs, and in social opportunities.
In 2008, with the establishment of the Fred Keefe Endowment Fund, the congregation voted to set aside 10% of grant money available to support the LGBTQ community and to educate, advocate, and support all in their struggles with equal rights. Our congregation held LGBTQ+ movie series in June for many years, worked with Welcoming Congregations of CT to identify Welcoming and Affirming congregations of all faiths, supported True Colors and sent our youth to their conferences at UCONN, hosted PFLAG events, worked for marriage equality in CT with Love Makes a Family, sponsored Pride Day in Madison in 2023, and continue to support the UUA statements of conscience.
Our UUA expects all of its member congregations to be welcoming to individuals and families regardless of sexual or affectional orientation, gender identity or expression, race or ethnicity, ability/disability, class, age, or language and citizenship status.
Guilford Interfaith Volunteers (GIV)
Rev. Jeanne Lloyd, our Affiliate Minister is currently on the board of Guilford Interfaith Volunteers. It is a nonprofit organization, based in Guilford Connecticut, that runs four programs: Meals on Wheels (MOW), Friendly Visiting, Food Bank Volunteer Coordination and Charlies’ Closet. The motto of Guilford Interfaith Volunteers is “Neighbor Helping Neighbor.”