Eliot Chapel’s Social Justice Ministry grounds our work in the second Unitarian Universalist principle – to affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion in all our relations. Here’s what we’re up to!
1) Immigration Justice:
- The Legislative Team is partnering with state legislators to support legislation that would make DACA students eligible for in-state tuition and state financial support. They currently pay international rates and state support is unavailable.
- The Family Support Team is offering social support to asylum seekers sponsored by other congregations. We have assisted with legal and educational costs for two individuals in the immigration process. Financial support is being provided to The St. Louis Inter-Faith Committee on Latin America for legal clinics that offer assistance for those completing immigration applications. The Immigration Justice Fund, established when we became a Sanctuary Church, is the source of the financial support we offer.
2) Racial Justice:
- Our Black Lives Matter Vigil has been held outside the chapel almost every Tuesday since August 2014.
- School Board Engagement. This team supports making diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) a priority in school curriculums and policies. We are partnering with Missouri Equity Education Partnership and West County Community Action Network (WECAN) to encourage and support local school boards, administrators and educators that are implementing DEI.
- Meacham Park Neighborhood Improvement Association. We actively engage with and support MNIA’s events.
3) Environmental Justice: Driven by the 7th UU Principle, this team continues our work to inspire and equip the congregation to work effectively for environmental justice. We are currently working on creating sacred space at Eliot Chapel, to demonstrate environmentally sound landscaping techniques.
4) Voting Rights and Voter Engagement: UU the Vote is a national non-partisan initiative that advocates for voting rights and voter engagement. Our UU the Vote organizers are making plans for how Eliot Chapel will support free and fair elections in 2022.
5) Congregational All-Reads: Several times a year, a justice-focused book is chosen and a gathering is held to discuss what we learned.
6) The Giving Tree: Organized by the Youth Group, a Christmas tree is placed in Founders Hall during December to benefit local children and youth in need of gifts for the holiday season.
7) Shared Plate: Every week we share half our offering with an organization in the community that reflects our values of justice, equity, and compassion for all.
If any of these social justice ministries call to you, please let us know at socialjustice@eliotchapel.org or leave a voicemail at the Front Office (314.821.0911).