Get Involved

Get Involved

Building Beloved Community Beyond the Binary Conference.

A place to find community with transgender, nonbinary folx and our allies. A conference for us to gather, learn and grow. Click here to register and for more information on the schedule, cost, accessibility, Covid protocols.

Social Justice Initiatives.

First UU’s social justice outreach program, instituted in 2005, provides a process by which the congregation can immediately act on its historical commitment to ethical universalism while also developing the foundation necessary for implementing a sustainable “Church in Community” strategy. The “Church in Community” strategy is a framework for the spiritual growth of the congregation requiring community “good works” initiatives that provide significant community benefit and inform the local community of First UU’s mission of service.

Interfaith Works, Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism
Eastern Farm Workers Association – clothing and food drives
Standing on the Side of Love – focusing on LGBTQ rights, immigration rights, and Black Lives Matter
Syracuse Pride Festival – participation in the Pride Parade
The Q Center – safe spaces for LGBTQ youth, their families, and allies
OGs Against Violence – serves Syracuse and Central New York to reduce violence

Marching in the PRIDE parade at the NYS fair

FUUSS Members at a Black Lives Matter Rally

Some of our members participating in a Black Lives Matter rally

Teen group volunteering in a community garden

Green Sanctuary Initiatives.

In May, 2011 First UU’s Green Sanctuary received notification from UUA’s Office of Congregational Stewardship Services that we will be recognized as an Accredited Green Sanctuary!

You can see a copy of our certificate here.

First UU’s Green Sanctuary Committee supports congregational efforts to affirm and support our 7th principle: “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.“
We believe that the Earth is in peril from human activities, and for us as people of faith, this is a moral and spiritual crisis of utmost importance.
Click here to find out more about our EARTH STEWARDSHIP COMMITMENT. “We could have saved the Earth but we were too damned cheap.” – Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the Green Sanctuary Committee is to lead the congregation in its goal to obtain Green Sanctuary certification by identifying environmental concerns and opportunities within our building, community and the world at large, and by establishing special projects and ongoing activities that allow the congregation to address these concerns and opportunities. Green Sanctuary Certification is granted by the UUA Ministry for Earth in order to support congregational efforts to affirm and support our 7th principle: “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” The Green Certification process includes projects within our congregation and in partnership with other local, and possibly national or worldwide, congregations and community organizations.

Green Sanctuary Documents

We have the following documents available for review.

Charter
First UU Environmental Audit
Certified Action Plan
Application to UUA for Green Sanctuary Accreditation

GREEN SANCTUARY ACTIVITIES

Earth Day
Global Warming
First UU Pod
Education and Outreach

Additional Resources

Earth 911 making every day Earth Day

Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency

Interfaith Works, Community Wide Dialogue to End Racism

Other Links of Interest

A few years ago, I had been searching for a church/community that would be accommodating to my beliefs. I was born Muslim and do admire many things about Islam. My husband was born Eastern Orthodox Catholic. So, I have been exposed to Christianity through my husband and through friends. I like many aspects of Christianity. I found that the UU Church did not have any contradiction to the many beliefs that I have espoused. I find that the humanitarian values that are put forth by the UU Church are great and admirable.

Qudsia

My husband and I are both totally blind and have two Seeing Eye dogs. Not only have we been welcomed into this congregation, but we are accepted as equal participants in this caring community. Shortly after we began attending the services, we were provided braille hymnals, which demonstrates First UU’s commitment to meeting the needs of people with disabilities. We have participated in a summer service and given a presentation to the youth’s religious education classes about our blindness and how our dogs enhance our mobility. Attending the services at First UU has expanded our knowledge of social justice, provided us with deep friendships and has helped us to expand our spiritual growth.

Lucy & Don

Honesty is important to me. Honesty with those around me, but more importantly, with myself. What I truly appreciate about First UU is that I am not only encouraged to honestly develop my own spiritual beliefs, I am supported in doing so. No one is telling me what to believe. Instead, inspiration has been provided from diverse perspectives from the pulpit, courses, workshops, and dialog with other members and friends. For me, I am also inspired by so many of our traditional belief systems so wonderfully expressed by our wonderful chancel window!

Dennis

I like going to First UU because I know everyone there and they are friendly. I know the building well so I don’t get lost and it is fun to play hide and seek. My RE class is small without too many kids so I feel like I can get to know them well. There is a time in the service when the kids go up front to hear a story, I enjoy listening to the stories. I would recommend First UU to other kids because it is a fun place.

Amelia

At First UU, I have found an institution which does not pelt me with answers to existential questions, but which provides me opportunities to seek answers to them in a community of open-minded people as well as ways to pursue social justice in the larger community.

Georgia

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