Kids Make a Difference
Kids Social Justice Program
“In my Sunday school class, our teacher has talked to us about the Good Samaritan and has shown us pictures of people we know, friendly looking people, and not-so friendly looking people. He then asked us, for each of the pictures, “Would you help this person?” We talked about “the thing.” “The thing” is the tendency from deep inside of you that tells you “don’t help this person because this person is frightening.” Our teacher talked about how you should always help someone, even if he or she looks frightening, because each person is important and we need to treat all people with compassion.”
Walker S., a Second Unitarian 5th Grader (read more…)
“Gay Marriage is OK” ”Earth Day is Every Day”
Second Unitarian Kids’ Artwork
The Kids Social Justice Program is central to the faith development of the children who attend Second Unitarian Church. Through age-appropriate events and activities, children learn ways to put their faith into action and learn about the Unitarian Universalist promises that are the foundation of our church.
Typically, the program sponsors three events each year:
- Celebrating Earth Day by volunteering at the North Park Village Nature Center.
- Sorting food at the Greater Chicago Food Depository in conjuction with a Lakeview Pantry food drive.
- Preparing and serving a meal to people in our community who are homeless.
Other opportunities include marching in the annual gay pride parade in June and attendance at Lakeview Action Coalition conventions. Finally, the children vote each spring to determine which charitable organization will receive half of their annual children’s collection funds.
Kids Social Justice Program activities align with the faith development curricula designed for each group of children so that the meaning and purpose of these justice events is clear to students. Second Unitarian has a long history of providing opportunities for children and youth to work as part of a faith community for justice. Recently, our church sponsored a social justice weekend for area Unitarian Universalist participants in a coming-of-age program.
Read the weekly 2U E-News to find out how to participate in one of our social justice events. Sign up for the E-News by contacting our Membership Coordinator at 773-549-0260 ext. 11 or secondunitarian@att.net.
Read more about our social justice ministry…
Kids’ Social Justice News - Spring 2008
Our kids cooked for the homeless on Saturday, April 26. They prepared a Starlight Soup Supper for the Night Ministry with the help of hands large and small! The children in the 4th to 6th grade class served the meal from the Night Ministry Health Outreach Bus that evening. This annual cooking event provides the opportunity for children to learn about the needs of people who are hungry and to find meaning in working together to serve those in need of help. The children planned the menu, helped shop for supplies, and prepared the food. The event was also a great way for kids and their parents to make new friends or to reinforce connections the with each other.