The Social Action Committee’s Mission Statement

The social action committee engages and supports the congregation in living out its covenant in the broader community. The committee facilitates involvement in opportunities for service, advocacy and witness, to which First Parish can make a constructive and meaningful contribution.

Economic Justice

Beginning in 2011, the Committee guides First Parish membership to take bold action and grow deep faith through education and action projects around the theme of Economic Justice.

Our Ongoing Projects

Support and assistance to The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, a community organization that mobilizes and collaborates to promote peace among youth in the inner city and help victims of street violence.  In honor of Mother’s Day, First Parish members raise funds and participate in the Walk for Peace in Dorchester, along with other individuals and their families affected by urban violence.

Support for Handcrafting Justice, a fair trade partnership working with women struggling for economic justice and independence in developing countries.  First Parish organizes a holiday sale featuring handmade goods provided by Handcrafting Justice with 100% of sale proceeds benefitting these women.
Support for Milton residents in need through our Holiday Gift Giving Program and through donations to the Milton Food Pantry.

Providing volunteers and food contributions monthly to Father Bill’s Shelter in Quincy. In 2010, First Parish served more than 860 meals to people in need at the homeless shelter.

Supporting the needs of local refugees through the Milton Interfaith Refugee Assistance (MIFRA) group.  MIFRA engages in a variety of fundraising activities to provide support to area groups who need help in providing assistance to refugees.  We have worked with AFAB in Dorchester which supports Haitian refugees who have fled to the US, many since the earthquake.   We also work with The Eritrean Community Center of Boston to get donations of sewing machines, cloth and sewing notions.  We offer a sewing class on Saturdays for Eritrean women interested in learning how to make clothes for themselves and their children.  We are also helping them to develop a series of growing beds to raise their own vegetables and herbs.  We want to encourage our youth groups to work together and any members of First Parish to join us in our work with refugees.

In 2012, the Social Action committee has begun work with the UU Urban Ministry on The Jericho Road Project.

Our Past Work has included assistance to Habitat for Humanity and Renewal House Domestic Violence shelter, and support of Gay Pride Day, the UUA’s Standing on the Side of Love Campaign, and the Coalition of Immokalee Farm Workers’ Campaign for Fair Food.  We have also sponsored a service trip to New Orleans to assist in the rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina, donated to the William E. Channing Elementary School in Hyde Park, collaborated with other UU churches on forums exploring Economic Justice, and participated in the UUA’s Justice Sunday.

To Get Involved:  The committee meets monthly in the church library and all are welcome to attend.  For more information or to get involved by suggesting a project, participating on a one-time basis or more, please contact socialaction@fpmilton.org.