Justice
"What does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, to love steadfastly, and to walk
humbly with your God?" - Micah 6:8
Social Justice|Justice in a Changing Climate
Open and Affirming | Economic Justice


Social Justice Ministry
“I feel like I'm doing something . It is great to be and work with such well grounded people... The Spirit feels present ....” - Gary
By tradition, we study, discuss, and advocate for public and corporate policies that an unofficial consensus of the church membership deems important. These policies are centered on such issues as peace, justice, equality, and integrity of our institutions. In recent years, SJM also has included matters pertaining to the natural environment and environmental justice. We research initiatives, do site visits, and consult with experts. Then we invite the congregation to act through letters, petitions, rallies, visits, and donations.
According to the Community United Church of Christ Constitution, the Social Justice Ministry is “called to discern and act upon issues relevant to the Social Gospel within God’s created world, be they local, state, national, or international and to be witness for justice and peace.” The church By-laws state that "Members are empowered to identify areas of special need in the community or social issues which need special attention, and to form task force groups from the congregation to work on these needs and issues."
In thus following the tradition of the Social Gospel, the Social Justice Ministry fulfills in part Article II of our constitution.
“. . . . to render loving service toward human kind; and to strive for righteousness, justice, and peace.”

Live Your Faith
- Act to bring justice by participating in events listed in the newsletter.
- Subscribe to the United Church of Christ's Justice and Peace Network (JPANet) and respond as you feel led.
- Support with your prayers, time, talents, and money agencies who do justice work in our community and around the world.
- Set the direction of CUCC's advocacy through monthly discussion with the Social Justice Ministry.
What's Next?

Justice in a Changing Climate
"As an earth scientist, I have learned a bit about how our incredible planet works. I am dismayed at what we humans have done, and continue to do to God's creation. I feel that my geological knowledge carries with it an extra responsibility to try to do what I can to preserve our environment for the future. All living things deserve a chance to live as God intended. The JCC gives me a chance to do something I have been longing for - to bring together my science and my faith." - Skip
The Justice in a Changing Climate Committee is an ad hoc committee of the Council with representatives from every ministry and others who want to help organize the effort. We lead the congregation in addressing climate change, paying special attention to how the problems and solutions impact people with few resources. For new ways to join the work, check the JCC bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. Because this is a church-wide initiative involving every ministry, a representative of each ministry serves on the committee. In addition, members with an interest in being part of planning and implementation are on the committee.
Resolution adopted by Congregational Meeting May 2007. The congregation resolves...
That CUCC take as a congregational focus for the near future "Justice in a Changing Climate." That we lead by learning and acting. In particular, that we educate ourselves; change our practices; and provide an interfaith religious focal point and leadership on climate change and advocacy.
Read about...
Living Your Faith
- Post an idea, a question, a learning or service opportunity on our Facebook forum.
- Dispose of your old florescent bulbs - tube or compact (CFL) - by bringing them (UNBROKEN) to Jane or Gary Smith.
- Recycle your clean, rigid plastic screwcaps at your nearest Aveda Location.
- What Other Household Items Can and Can't Be Recycled? (Marty Lamb)
- Thinking Green in Bleak Midwinter
- Brainstorm and implement opportunities for the congregation to address climate change and justice by joining the JCC steering committee.

ONA: Open and Affirming Task Force
"I believe that each human being is a reflection of the divinity, of God. Making known to every person of any sexual preferences and gender identity that I value them for who they are is a way of touching the divine in me and in them. Namaste." -- Jim
"The energy that flows through the task force meetings is clearly the work of the Holy Spirit- excitement, commitment, willingness to do as well as to talk...I won't be too surprised to see tongues of fire dancing on our heads! I believe that God LOVES diversity, a fact that is reflected in all of creation. This task force is basically about helping the church to break down barriers and to welcome each other in wonder and appreciation. My faith in the workings of the Spirit is renewed and refreshed. How does this work connect with my experience with church? I have said that we (CUCC) are small enough to be a true community, yet are big enough to do great things. This is a GREAT THING!!" -- Joan
The Open and Affirming Task Force is a committee of the Council leading the congregation to embody its commitment to welcome, support, and advocate with LGBT people and those who love them.
Joyfully welcoming all who seek to know God, we reach out to all people who have traditionally been excluded or marginalized by the church and society through the barriers that people and systems create. "God is still speaking," and we believe that this is one of the many ways we can respond to that spiritual voice.
In declaring ourselves an Open and Affirming Church, we celebrate the sacredness of every person as a child of God. We invite and welcome lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning people to join in the full life and ministry of our congregation. We oppose discrimination and we work actively for justice and inclusion of all persons in our church and our community.
Programs
- PFLAG support group meeting the 3rd Wednesday of each month (PFLAG Facebook Page)
- films and books in church library
- Outreach to the campuses
- NC Pride
Photo Galleries
Relationships and Coalitions
- Equality NC
- Gay Christian Network
- LGBT Center of Raleigh
- NC Pride
- PFLAG
- NC State GLBT Center
- Duke University Center for LGBT Life
- UNC-Chapel Hill LGBTQ Center
Live Your Faith
- Invite an LGBT friend who is looking for a church home to CUCC.
- Display a UCC rainbow comma on your car, at work or somewhere easily seen. The rainbow colors are a sign that you are welcome to people who are LGBT.
- Attend NC Pride in September.
- Join the ONA Task Force.
What's Next?
Economic Justice
We are called to fulfill God's vision of creation and to work for a world where love, justice, and mercy prevail and God's abundance is shared. To this end, we partner with other organizations to work toward economic justice. To better understand our mission, read the our covenant below:
We also partner with HKonJ.

