Social Justice
Our mission is to reach out to those in need locally, nationally, and internationally.
Social Justice Committee’s Purpose
The Social Justice Committee of the New Ark United Church of Christ helps our congregation fulfill its mission of outreach to those in need locally, nationally, and internationally.
We attend to national initiatives and resolutions from our denomination and respond as the committee deems appropriate.
We coordinate volunteer groups, donation drives, and financial offerings, always in the spirit of our faith, reaching out with service, advocacy, and prayer.
We are aware of the injustice perpetrated upon some, and seek to add our voice to those advocating for peace, justice, inclusion, compassion, and care for all people and for the earth which we share.
Goals
- Stimulate consciousness-raising regarding social justice issues in multiple ways
- Identify local needs and plan appropriate responses
- Identify monetary needs of the community for benevolence giving
- Interpret and facilitate special denominational offerings
- Provide an opportunity for service
- Partner with other service organizations/worship communities when such partnerships better enable brining about justice and peace
Resolutions
Several resolutions have evolved from our mission purpose and goals:
Inclusive Language
Just Peace
Open and Affirming
Earthwise
Resolution on Energy Stewardship
Larger Mission
The New Ark UCC contributes financial gifts to five special denominational offerings. These offerings collectively serve to lift people closer to the abundance and wholeness to which Jesus Christ has called us to bring about for all people. Those offerings include Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM), One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS), Neighbors in Need (NIN), Strengthen the Church, and the Christmas Offering. All can be viewed at: www.ucc.org.
Local Benevolences
Each year a percentage of our income is to be used to support local agencies serving the community’s need in ways that are consistent with New Ark UCC’s Mission Statement. We choose small local agencies to which our modest contribution is significant; we also attempt to balance groups which meet immediate needs with those that work for systemic change.
Areas of Mission
Hunger
There has always been strong support for groups providing immediate relief for food insecurity. The New Ark has been serving at Hope Dining Room monthly since its inception. Multiple food baskets are prepared for suggested families at Thanksgiving.
Go-bags are prepared four times a year for the Newark Empowerment Center. Other food offerings are delivered to the Newark Area Welfare Committee.
Our youth have collected monetary offerings on “Souper Bowl Sunday” which were then donated to a food-relief agency. Support, both financial and volunteer, have been given to the Delaware Food Bank.
Earthwise
This church was one of the first in the area to install solar panels on the roof (click here to track). We support work related to global warming, particularly through Delaware Interfaith Power and Light.
New Ark is currently working toward certification as a Sacred Grounds site by the National Wildlife Federation. We have been supportive of Bright Spot Ventures which both teaches former foster care youth healthy gardening/farming techniques and salesmanship.
Emergency Issues
We try to open in response to unpredicted events such as natural disasters. We have been able to donate both physical items (CWS emergency buckets) and money.
Housing
The New Ark has supported the systemic change advocated by Housing Alliance Delaware and other groups, such as Meeting Ground, Friendship House, and Habitat for Humanity, which assist individuals in need of housing.
New Ark UCC is also one of several churches that provides shelter to the homeless on frigid nights.
Peace and Justice
This broad topic includes several of the church’s resolutions (Just Peace, Open and Affirming, and Inclusive Language).
New Ark has been supportive of action (legislation, marches, protests, providing meeting sites, letter/email writing, etc.) relating to such issues as gun violence, LGBTQ concerns, racial justice, immigration, human trafficking, mass incarceration, and women’s reproductive choices.
In addition, financial support has been given to Delaware Center for Justice which addresses systemic change in many areas.
Service
Opportunities for service are available to those able to volunteer at various agencies including Hope Dining Room, Newark Empowerment Center, Meeting Ground, Adopt-a-Family, and Delaware Food Bank. Those interested can also volunteer to help with clothing drives, refugee support, and work camps.
