Social and Environmental Justice
We are certified by the Unitarian Universalist Association as
a Green Sanctuary Congregation and a Welcoming Congregation
Through our Social and Environmental Justice program, BUC ministers to the needs of our communities; promotes social, economic, racial and environmental justice; fights climate change; and serves as an agent of social systemic change. Our Plate Collection supports a different charitable organization each month, supporting one of these goals.
For the 2019-20 church year, our five priorities (NOT in order of priority) are: LGBTQ+ Welcoming Congregation, Ending Gun Violence, Confronting Racism, Environmental Justice, and Climate Crisis.
Want to get involved and take action? Check out our Task Forces below. All have specific, hands-on things you can do, and you are always welcome to join any group. Our Service Projects, listed on the right, are another great way to get involved.
The links below lead to more information on all of our programs.
Task Forces
LGBTQ+ Welcoming Congregation (Project lead: Jane O'Neil)
Meets as needed to plan events
Ending Gun Violence (Project Lead: Eric Sargent)
Update on recent gun legislation
Sample letter to MI Rep. Graham Filler
Pending Michigan legislation on gun-violence prevention
Confronting Racism (Project Lead: Peggy Bocks)
Meets the third Friday of each month at BUC, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Green Sanctuary Ministry (Project Lead: Dan Kosuth)
Meets quarterly
Environmental Justice (Project Lead: Jane O'Neil)
Addresses water rights in Detroit
Climate Crisis (Project Lead: Mary Dunn)
Focused on the climate crisis and how we can have an impact
Project Drawdown climate solutions quiz
Info on climate change legislation and other resources
Climate Resolution presentation
Plate Collection Committee (Project Lead: Barbara Robinson)
Meets quarterly to select organizations to receive a portion of our Sunday plate collection
Service Projects
Walt Whitman School (Project Lead: Mary Jo Ebert)
Numerous opportunities to volunteer at this multicultural school in Pontiac
Welcome Inn (Project Lead: Annis Pratt)
Warming center open November through March
S.O.S. (Project Lead: Paul Plante)
BUC hosts the South Oakland Shelter for the homeless for one week in November
Baldwin Center Garden (Project Lead: Izzy Khapoya)
Volunteers work in the community garden at the Baldwin Center in Pontiac
Open Hands Pantry (Project Lead: Joan Cashman)
Food donations dropped at church are delivered to this Royal Oak food pantry
Goldsmith Scholarship (Project Lead: Mary Jo Ebert)
Grants funds to assist Pontiac students
Greening of Detroit (Project Lead: Paul Plante)
Tree-planting projects in Detroit neighborhoods