Board of Outreach and Social Justice
July 19, 2020
BOSJ plans to expand Wednesday collections at LRUCC to include items for area homeless shelters (personal hygiene items, toiletries of all sizes, masks), Second Story, which provides safe shelter for youth and young mothers (School supplies and activity books - glue sticks, paint, crayons, paper etc., and masks). Our ongoing collections of Books for the Sheriff and Juvenile Court Services (all ages) and non-perishable food for the FISH pantry will continue. In the coming weeks there will be collection bins for these items at the church for drop-offs. We are preparing to participate in the UCC’s Faith & Democracy campaign in the fall before the election. There will be opportunities to volunteer to write GOTV postcards and participate in a special worship service in September connecting the values of our faith to voting. For more info contact outreach@lrucc.org.
May 10, 2020
Olive Oil Ministry Allocates 2019 Proceeds
Representatives of nine partner congregations in MD, DC, and VA met by video conference recently to discuss and agree on the allocation of funds generated by our sales during 2019. Jan Curtis represented Little River UCC at this meeting.
Our allocations will be as follows:
$9,500 to Tent of Nations for general operations in 2020. TON has been our primary beneficiary and is a dramatic symbol of Palestinians' ongoing struggle to protect their rights, land ownership, and economic well being through nonviolent resistance to the continued official and unofficial pressures of Israeli occupation.
$5,000 to American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) for its Gaza Food Security Program, which will finance the construction of two family greenhouses and ongoing technical support, and
$4,000 for medical supplies to the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza, a hospital supported by the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, in anticipation of Covid-19 patients.
Thanks to all for your purchase of olive oil products at Little River UCC! We look forward to resuming sales as soon as possible!
April 19, 2020
Board of Outreach and Social Justice Meeting Update The Board of Outreach and Social Justice (BOSJ) met via Zoom on Sunday, April 19. As of Sunday, the LRUCC Easter offering had collected about $4,200 for the Congregations Against Medical Debt relief effort! This effort is ongoing and will be celebrated in a special joint worship service of several Potomac Association churches on May 17th at 10:30am via Zoom. In May we will begin promoting the Strengthen the Church special offering as well as the Congregation Action Network’s COVID-19 Emergency Fund. This fund is used entirely to support immigrant families not included in the stimulus packages. You can donate here: https://cancovidfund.causevox.com/. The LRUCC Food Pantry will keep some supplies available for people contacting LRUCC directly, but most of our supply has been given to ACCA’s food program. Members are encouraged to bring food, grocery cards, and monetary donations directly to ACCA and FISH. Please visit https://accacares.org/ and FISH: https://www.fairfaxfish.org/ for drop-off instructions. The Capital Pride Parade and Festival has been cancelled for June. The Board discussed possible alternate ways to celebrate: Zoom Cocktail Hour; special worship service, etc. Future BOSJ meetings will be rescheduled to start at a later time to avoid overlapping with Zoom coffee hour.
February 28, 2020
Chosen Family Lunch
After the success of the Chosen Family Christmas celebration for LGBTQ+ allies and friends, the Board of Outreach and Social Justice invites LGBTQ+ allies and friends to celebrate the Spring Solstice! We will gather for lunch and fellowship in the Jubilee Room at 11:30 am on Sunday, March 22. BOSJ will provide the main dish, please bring a side, salad, or dessert to share! For questions or to RSVP, contact Judy Moats.
February 16, 2020
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice (BOSJ) met on February 16 and decided that the priorities set in 2019 (immigration, racial justice, LGBTQ+, environment, and homelessness/hunger) will continue in 2020. In debriefing the Just Mercy film event, BOSJ decided to allocate half of the freewill offering to Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and continue our partnership with Cinema Arts Theater for future events, the other half will go to the general benevolences budget. LRUCC will join other Potomac Association churches in a campaign to relieve medical debt in our region during the months of March and April. LRUCC will dedicate the 2020 Easter offering to this cause and will plan a “hunger banquet” later in the year to support Rise Against Hunger. Pictures and thank you cards from the White Gift service are on display in the Conference Room. Stop by and see them!
January 20, 2020
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice met on January 20 and reviewed its work from 2019 and made final arrangements for the Just Mercy film screening.
December 27, 2019
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice met on Sunday, December 19 to discuss the following:
Lenten supper gatherings will begin March 1, 2020, with discussion of the book “White Awake” by Daniel Hill. Folks are encouraged to purchase the book and begin reading. Fairfax County Hypothermia Program: Little River UCC will volunteer to prepare and serve dinner on Sunday, February 9 and March 29 at the Bailey’s Crossroads shelter. We need 8-10 adult volunteers to help cook and serve. VOICE (Virginians Organized for Interfaith Community Engagement) is organizing folks to go to Richmond several times during the VA General Assembly to advocate for several bills. Criminal Justice, Education, and Affordable Housing are top priorities! If you are interested in participating, please attend the training session on Sunday, January 12, from 3:00 to 4:30 pm at the Muslim American Society (6408 Edsall Road, Alexandria). Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions will hold its 2020 Advocacy Kickoff and Workshop at Little River on January 10, from 1:00 to 4:00 pm. All who are interested in climate change and environmental activism are strongly encouraged to attend.
Hate is Not Welcome Here, But Your Love Is!
Send us your pictures of the “Hate is Not Welcome Here” sign at your house with or without pictures of you (or your pets). Tell us where it was taken so we can spread the love. E-mail your pictures to Michelle Mitchell or Judy Moats . Sponsored by the Board of Outreach and Social Justice (BOSJ). Additional signs are located in the Atrium! **Photos may be used on social media and/or the Little River UCC website. Please let us know ahead of time, if you prefer that we not use your image online.
December 20, 2019
Christmas Offering
Please plan to include the Christmas Offering in your holiday giving! At Little River UCC, we will receive this offering at both Christmas Eve services. Half of the offering will go to the United Church of Christ Christmas Fund to assist retired UCC clergy experiencing financial difficulties. The other half will go to support the Congregation Action Network, a network of congregations in the Washington, DC area that provides support and solidarity to our immigrant and refugee neighbors who fear being detained, deported, and separated from their families. The church will gladly receive contributions in the office, offering plate, or through the online giving button on the website. Please make your check payable to Little River UCC with memo "Christmas Fund Offering." Cash donations can be included in the special Christmas Fund envelope or in a regular pew envelope with “Christmas Fund” written on the outside. The members of the Board of Outreach and Social Justice thank you for your generosity!
December 1, 2019
White Gift Tags
The White Gift Service is a beloved Little River tradition in which our members reenact the Nativity scene, then follow the Magi to offer gifts honoring the Christ child. In preparation for that joyful service, our White Gift Christmas tree will stand in the atrium to express the Christmas hopes of young children from low-income families served by ACCA Child Development Center, Main Street Child Development Center, and the Shaw Community Center. Share God’s love with a child this Christmas season! Gift tags and a sign-up sheet will be available through Friday, December 6. If you are unable to take a tag and purchase a gift, you are welcome to contribute funds toward gift cards for siblings (by writing a check marked with “White Gift” in the memo line or donating online using the giving button.
November 17, 2019
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice (BOSJ) members and wonderful assistance prepared and hung all gift tags for White Gift Service on Sunday, November 17.
At their meeting on the same day, they discussed the meal after the White Gift Service (December 8). Cindy Fithian to coordinate the meal planning -- main dish to be provided by John Davis with members bringing side dishes and desserts -- watch for sign-up sheet.
BOSJ purchased "Hate Has No Home Here" signs and members are encouraged to take them and put them up in their yards. The Board also voted to partner with the Timber Ridge Elementary School mentoring program -- LRUCC member, Mary Beth Ciarcia, has agreed to coordinate and will be looking for volunteers. Board members Cindy Fithian and Gail Perry are looking into sponsoring the showing of the movie "Just Mercy" at Cinema Arts Theatre. Details to come. Next meeting: December 15, 2019.
Make a Difference - Be a Mentor!
Timber Lane Elementary needs your help. This Title 1 school in Falls Church is looking for people to be mentors. Mentors are paired up with 1 student, and meet with that student for 30 minutes a week. This small time commitment can make a huge difference in the life of a child. Interested? Talk to Mary Beth Ciarcia or email her at snowyhope@gmail.com. The Little River Board of Outreach and Justice supports this partnership!
November 10, 2019
White Gift Christmas Tags
The White Gift Service is a beloved Little River tradition in which our members reenact the Nativity scene, then follow the Magi to offer gifts honoring the Christ child. In preparation for that joyful service, our White Gift Christmas tree will stand in the atrium to express the Christmas hopes of young children from low-income families served by ACCA Child Development Center, Main Street Child Development Center, and the Shaw Community Center. Share God’s love with a child this Christmas season! Gift tags and a sign-up sheet will be available starting on the afternoon of November 17. If you are unable to take a tag and purchase a gift, you are welcome to contribute funds toward gift cards for siblings (by writing a check marked with “White Gift” in the memo line or donating online using the giving button on the LRUCC website).
September 20, 2019
Old Computers Needed for Homework Club
If you have an old laptop or desktop computer that you no longer need, please donate it to the Homework Club, a program that helps refugee families adjust to living in the U.S. All personal information will be erased from the hard drive and the operating system will be reinstalled prior to use by the Homework Club. Please contact Bill Perkett at 703-663-7865 or perkettbill@gmail.com for more information.
September 13, 2019
LGBTQ+ Listening Session
All are welcome to join in a conversation about how we want to move forward with our Open and Affirming (ONA) commitment at Little River UCC and in the broader community. The NOVA Pride celebration has been cancelled this year, so we might want to talk about other opportunities for local outreach. See you on Sunday, September 22 at 11:30 am in the Jubilee Room. Contact Judy Moats at jrmoats@aol.com with your questions, ideas, or thoughts. All are welcome to attend!
August 18, 2019
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice (BOSJ) met on August 18 to discuss upcoming plans for the fall. On September 29 from 2 to 4 pm we will pack 10,000 for Rise Against Hunger and need lots of volunteers to make that happen! Please sign up at http://events.riseagainsthunger.org/LRUCC19 or RSVP to outreach@lrucc.org. BOSJ also decided to increase our participation in Fairfax County's Hypothermia Program by volunteering to prepare and serve dinner to homeless neighbors once per month rather than once per year. Sign-up info for that will be available in the coming months. We are actively working with other UCC churches in VA to oppose placing a child detention center in Northern VA and increased ICE activity in local neighborhoods. In the fall, look for another LGBTQ+ interest session, an Accotink Creek clean-up event, and a racial justice series based on Robin DiAngelo's book White Fragility.
August 18, 2019
Homework Club
Homework Club, an outreach to recent immigrant families, will begin again Saturday, September 22 at Peace Lutheran Church. We welcome new volunteers; being a driver for picking up and/or dropping off our families is a great opportunity for interaction.
Please set aside Saturday, September 7 to get ready! We are holding a 9:30 am orientation session for new volunteers, to be followed by a 10:00 am ESOL workshop for everyone.
Four local churches sponsor this program: Ravensworth Baptist, Peace Lutheran, John Calvin Presbyterian, and Little River UCC. A grant from Annandale Churches for Action (ACCA) funds our work, and Lutheran Social Services provides staff advice. Questions? Email Janet Parsons Mackey, or call her at 703-641-1552.
June 23, 2019
Conversation with Friends of Guest House
Friends of Guest House is a non-profit organization providing a residential program that helps women to successfully reenter the community from incarceration. The Board of Outreach and Social Justice invites you to a conversation with their staff and clients on Sunday, July 7 after worship in the Choir Room to learn more about the challenges women face when returning to community from prison and how you can support their efforts.
We will also be collecting items for the Friends of Guest House on Sundays in July (list will be posted on the bulletin board). In addition, donations can be made online via the Friends of Guest House Amazon wishlist.
For more information please contact Judy Moats and Cindy Fithian, BOSJ co-chairs. A light lunch will be served!
June 16, 2019
Board of Outreach and Social Justice Meeting Update
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice (BOSJ) met on Sunday, June 16 to discuss several items, see below:
The Homework Club (Good Neighbor Project) will restart in Fall - 1.5 hours on 2nd & 4th Saturday mornings. Will need drivers and tutors. Contact Janet Mackey for more information and to volunteer
Congregations Action Network (formerly DMV Sanctuary Congregations Network) is still working to obtain relief for Rosa.
The Board was information that Rev. Martin Silver would like to meet with them and Alexis will talk with him about timing and agenda.
Friends of Guest House: Collections will take place Sundays in July. Guest House staff and residents will be available for discussion after service on July 7.
Pride Parade: The reception by crowd was wonderful (see photos on LRUCC Facebook page).
After discussion regarding LRUCC involvement, long-term association and areas served, the Board voted to combine $1,400 of Endowment funds allocated to homeless/hunger, distributing the entire amount to FISH.
May 5, 2019
Save the Dates! DC Pride Parade and Festival: June 8 and 9
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice (BOSJ) invites you to mark your calendars for DC Pride! The Central Atlantic Conference LGBTQ+ Task Force is currently organizing volunteers to march in the parade and/or help out in 2-hour shifts at the United Church of Christ (UCC) table. Interested? Please contact BOSJ co-chair, Judy Moats at jrmoats@aol.com.
Capital Pride Parade
Saturday, June 8, 2019
4:30 – 8:00 PM
Dupont & Logan Circles NW
Metro – Start: (RED) Dupont Circle
Metro – End: (GREEN) U Street/African-Amer Civil War Memorial/Cardozo – 13th Street Exit
Capital Pride Festival
Sunday, June 9, 2019
12:00 – 10:00 PM
Pennsylvania Ave. & 3rd St. NW
Metro: (GREEN) Archives-Navy Memorial-Penn Quarter
April 21, 2019
ACCA/Good Neighbor Project Update Several members of Little River UCC (LRUCC) have been helping to support refugee families through working with a Homework Club since January. We currently tutor eighteen to twenty children and four mothers during our Saturday morning meetings. This has been a wonderful opportunity to interact with recently arrived immigrants who’ve been granted asylum and enriched our lives. The Homework Club is a joint project of Ravensworth Baptist, Peace Lutheran, John Calvin Presbyterian, and LRUCC. Many thanks to Ginny Dowell, Deborah Growitz, Amanda Halstead, Karen Kleiber, Doris and Bill Perkett, and Jim Wallar for their generous gifts of time, books, tutoring supplies, and computers. We’ve identified three specific mentoring opportunities, two for women, one for a man. If any of these interests you, please contact Janet Parsons Mackey at j.parsmack@gmail.com for more information. First, there’s a high school senior who’s been accepted at a local college. She can use help navigating that system as she’s introduced to college life and challenges. Next, a young twenty-year-old woman will receive her GED in August. She needs support in figuring out her next steps. Both of these speak English well—mentoring them could be achieved through a variety of ways: skype, email, telephone, and personal meetings. Finally, a thirteen-year-old Afghani boy who’s been here for three months has remarkable ability in math and science—he won a national award in India recently. He needs help in raising his English skills and will benefit from a male mentor.
March 24, 2019
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice (BOSJ) elected two new co-chairs for this year-- congrats and thanks to Judy Moats and Cindy Fithian! The board discussed plans to fundraise for our unbudgeted benevolences based on themes. Plans are developing to hold quarterly fundraisers as follows: Spring - Hunger and homelessness; Summer - LGBTQ+ concerns; and Fall - Immigration and Refugee issues. Plans were also discussed to partner with the Board of Christian Education to create a church t-shirt to wear in the community and increase the effectiveness of our outreach. Plenty of events focusing on social justice concerns are taking place in our community! To stay connected, please join our justice@lrucc.org listserv by contacting the church office.
March 17, 2019
Community Organizing Update
On March 9th, six members of Little River attended the follow-up Potomac Association Community Organizing meeting at Faith United Church of Christ in DC. Our primary purpose was for to share the results of their 1-1 conversations with parishioners. After categorizing all the responses, the following six “Big Bucket Issues” received the most responses: Protecting Democracy/Voting Rights; Racial justice issues; Economic inequality; Gender politics; Incarceration and criminal justice; Climate change and the environment. The Little River UCC Board of Outreach and Social Justice encourages everyone to support these efforts.
February 17, 2019
Last Sunday, the Board of Outreach and Social Justice (BOSJ) met to establish our priorities for 2019. We discussed plans to host an interfaith Faith & Film event with the Rumi Forum in the spring. The film is called "The Sultan and the Saint." We also discussed several ideas for raising funds for our benevolences this year.
February 3, 2019
The Board of Social Justice and Outreach met on Sunday, February 3 to review our work in 2018 and start to identify priorities for 2019. We were pleased to have our new board members join us and celebrate our outgoing board chairs!
December 16, 2018
Little River Food Pantry Feeds the Community
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice is proud to report that thanks to the generous support of Little River UCC members and friends over the past year, we have been able to distribute 65 very full bags of groceries and two large garbage bags of travel toiletries from the Little River pantry to the community. Recipients included FISH clients, detained immigrant children, Second Story (formerly Alternative House), the George Mason University student pantry, Annandale Christian Community for Action (ACCA), Thrive, Food for Others, and individuals who came to the church for help.
Thank You!
2018 White Gift Service (Photo courtesy of Alexis Kassim)
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice sends a hearty “thank you” to the music staff for organizing the White Gift service, and to congregation members for their generosity in giving and in helping with the post-service dinner.
2018 White Gifts (Photo courtesy of Craig Stapert)
December 2, 2018
FISH (For Immediate Sympathetic Help)
What is FISH? At Little River, we bring food each month to restock the pantry, but do you know that FISH is much more than a resource for hungry people in our area? For Immediate Sympathetic Help is an ecumenical effort of 14 churches from the beltway west through Fairfax City that work together to provide short-term assistance to those in need. When Fairfax County Department of Family Services receives a request for assistance that does not fit a regular program, they may pass it along to the FISH phone captain for that day. When the cupboard is bare, FISH can deliver food. However, for folks living on the edge, missing a couple of days of work can mean they are unable to pay a rent or utility bill, so FISH can also offer financial aid to prevent eviction or to avert a related crisis. The 14 churches provide financial support and volunteers who serve as phone captains and drivers. Please consider volunteering; contact Susan Kennedy, our longtime church representative to the FISH council, for more information.
October 21, 2018
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice enjoyed another successful and spirited meeting Sunday, October 21, 2018. Following member check-in and prayer, updates were provided on several board initiatives. Fellow congregants can look forward to announcements on upcoming Open and Affirming/LGBTQ+, Global Ministries, and Racial Justice Coalition activities. BOSJ also completed the planning for the annual White Gift program. The next BOSJ meeting will take place on Sunday, November 18, 2018 immediately following the morning service.
August 19, 2018
The Board of Outreach and Social Justice met on August 19th. We worked on plans for a number of upcoming events including the LBBTQA+ brainstorming session on August 26th, the Racial Justice Coalition discussion of The Color of Law on September 2nd, and the Rise Against Hunger Meal Packing event on September 30th. The board also approved a donation drive for items for detained immigrant children for the month of September, and the discussed the possibility of partnering with other churches to sponsor a refugee family. The board is also in the early planning stages of December's White Gift service in order to more effectively manage gift requests, and the board approved the purchase of a new Christmas tree.