The SAC outlined the 5 types of social concern as a guideline to help decide what matters the UU Church of Asheville should get involved with.
Social Justice, “a state or doctrine of egalitarianism,” plays a major role in the UUCA community.1 Being a congregation of big hearts and strict ethics, UUCA members often engage in activities aimed to reach out to the community and promote equality, acceptance, and kindness in Asheville and the world at large. In order to best serve the community, the UUCA created the Social Action Committee (SAC) which plans major projects, local events, and church wide initiatives. Using the five types of social concern: service, advocacy, education, witness, and community organizing, the SAC has created task forces and projects to better the community as well as making donations to local organizations that help the community.2
The SAC models all social justice projects based on their mission and the criteria laid out by the committee for forming projects
Task Forces
Anti-Racism Task Force
The UUCA Anti-Racism Task Force is a part of the SAC which hosts annual Martin Luther King Jr. breakfasts to honor civil rights defenders and create an awareness of civil rights issues in the community.3
Task Force on the Prevention of Violence
This anti-violence Task Force has participated in many letter writing campaigns to fight systems that create violence in the community. Members fought against the legalization of concealed weapons in 1995, and worked hard to discourage budget increases for prison construction in the area.4
Affiliates
The SAC (Social Action Committee) of the UU Church of Asheville donates time and money to many local organizations in order to better the community and help those in need.5 Below are some of the organizations affiliated with the SAC all of which have received donations from the UU Church for many years. Scroll over the arrows to explore each organization.
1“Social Justice.” Merriam-Webster. Accessed April 19, 2017. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/social%20justice.
2“SAC Mission,” n.d., Box 2, Folder 2, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC.
3“Brochure for MLK Breakfast,” n.d., Box 2, Folder 2, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC.
4“Anti-Violence Task Force,” n.d., Box 2, Folder 2, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC.
5“SAC agenda,” n.d., Box 2, Folder 2, Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville Archives, D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Asheville, NC.
