Allen Avenue UU Church has made a pledge to support other organizations in our community by sharing our cash collection at Sunday services. As well we educate ourselves about the organizations and some members become involved in the work of these groups.
As a consequence of this endeavor, we hope that Allen Avenue and Unitarian Universalism will have a greater impact on the community and the community will have greater awareness of our church and our faith in action.
SUMMER SHARE THE PLATE
In Iowa and in Indiana, the homes of numerous members of Unitarian Universalist churches have been severely damaged or destroyed by flood waters. The towns of Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Columbus, and Terre Haute were particularly hard hit. In response, the Prairie Star District and the Heartland District of the Unitarian Universalist Association have launched special district relief fund drives to provide assistance to the many victims.
Our church will extend its Share the Plate program throughout the summer for the benefit of those special flood relief funds. If you wish to participate but will not be in attendance at the summer services, you may still make a contribution. Make out your check to the Allen Avenue Unitarian Universalist Church, make a notation on the memo line that the money is designated for flood relief, and mail it or deliver it to the church.
Throughout the church year 2008-2009 we will share with
- ILAP (Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project)
- Equality Maine
- Habitat for Humanity - Interfaith Portland Build
- Wayside Soup Kitchen
- Youth and Family Outreach
- Amnesty International, Portland Chapter
- Compass Project (assisting troubled youth through building boats)
- Maine Peace Fund
- GLSEN (help for gay and lesbian youth in the schools)
- ASERELA (support for local Sudanese to build a school in Africa)
In addition, in the past our support went to
- Portland Freedom Trail
- Seven Eagles Media Project (for Maine Indians)
- Fur Cultural Revival (help for Darfur)
- A Company of Girls
- e-Hope (support for people with illnesses)
- NAACP
- Safe Passage
- Relief for Katrina, Myanmar and Midwest flood victims
- Preble Street Resource Center
- Four Directions, Giving Winds loan support for Maine Indians
- Project Fuel
Nearly $24,000 has been shared to date over a three year period.