1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person.

2. Justice, equality and compassion in human relationships.

3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregation.

4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.

5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and society at large.

6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.

7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

“Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.” — Helen Keller

Read the Entire Social Justice Charter

SMUUCh is actively involved in these social action initiatives:

DONATE-THE-PLATE
Once each month, we donate our Sunday offering to local organizations that serve the community. Many local and national nonprofits have received our monthly collections. Collections for March 2025 will be going to the Black Mental Health Initiative. Click here to donate to this cause.

DRUUMM
Diverse Revolutionary Unitarian Universalist Multicultural Ministries is a Unitarian Universalist People of Color Ministry and anti-racist collective of lay and religious professionals. Together, we work to overcome racism through resistance, and to transform Unitarian Universalism through our multicultural experiences. DRUUMM has a growing membership of UU People of Color from every district and region in the Unitarian Universalist Association. SMUUCh has created a Midwest DRUUMM Chapter that meets every other Thursday. With members all over the Midwest, we meet on ZOOM at 7 p.m. DRUUMM is a collective of people who identify as People of Color. Allies are welcome and are organized as "White Allies". Together we are open to all people. We are grounded in the Unitarian Universalist tradition, and maintain a close relationship with the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.

• DRUUMM webpage

• UUA DRUUMM page

GIVING GROVE
The SMUUCh Giving Grove is an edible tree and shrub garden tended by SMUUCh and other community volunteers in partnership with Giving Grove and Kansas City Community Garden. Once the trees and bushes mature, the harvest will be used to help the food insecure in our local community. Volunteer opportunities for weeding, watering, pruning and general tree tending are available throughout the year. There are also opportunities to assist in other Giving Groves around Kansas City. For more information, click here.

SHAWNEE MISSION UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH FUUD PANTRY
The FUUD pantry is an affiliate of the Harvesters Food Bank. It is open every Tuesday from 2:00 to 5:45 p.m. and is located around the back of the church. For more information see www.fuudpantry.org

RED RIBBON TEAM

This group promotes the SMUUCh AIDS Walk team and other AIDS-related advocacy.

PROJECT 1020 - WARMING SHELTER

SMUU Church houses Project 1020, the only cold weather shelter for persons experiencing homelessness in Johnson Count from December 1 through March 31 each year. For more information contact Project 1020

ANTI-RACISM RESOURCES

• Dismantling White Supremacy: UUA Resources

• 10 Common Things Well-Intentioned-Allies Do That Are Actually Counter-Productive

• Habits of White Supremacy Culture, Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun

• Stories of Bystanders in Death of George Floyd:

  • Nine year old Judea Reynolds

  • Darnella Frazier, Teen Who Filmed The Death

SMUU Church welcomes bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people in our church. As a Welcoming Congregation, we have posted the Human Rights Campaign's equality symbol on all entrances to our church home. Additionally all are welcome to use the restroom which best fits their identity. We also have a gender neutral restroom in Fellowship Hall.

Our church is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association's Welcoming Congregation program. To learn more about the UUA Welcoming Congregation program, visit the UUA Welcoming Congregation web page.

Our church is a peanut-free zone. There are members of our congregation who have a life threatening allergy to peanuts. SMUUCh has adopted a practice of being a No Peanut Environment. Please do not bring any peanuts, or foods containing peanut ingredients to SMUUCh, and understand that if an item brought to SMUUCh is found to contain peanuts it will be removed. In addition, clearly label ANY foods that may include tree nuts (almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc.) as these may pose a health hazard to our congregants as well.

Our church is accessible to all with mobility issues. Our building is ADA compliant.

Assistive listening devices are available for our sanctuary.