Social Action History

Our church has an active, involved history in Social Action.

  • In 1986, we sponsored refugee families from Cambodia, Yugoslavia, Malawi, and Nigeria.
  • In 1986, our church members declared A2U2 to be a nuclear free zone.
  • In 1993, we declared A2U2 a Green Sanctuary.
  • In 1999, we endorsed worldwide nuclear disarmament.
  • In 2001, we began an ongoing relationship with ASERELA, Portland refugees from Sudan.
  • In 2003, we won the national Bennett Award for our social action initiatives AND became a Welcoming Congregation.
  • In 2004, our church signed up for " green electricity.”
  • In 2005, we helped defeat a referendum that would have removed rights of gays, lesbians, and transgendered persons in Maine. At the time we created and distributed hundreds of bumper stickers which read

My church believes in civil rights for all

  • In 2006, we raised enough money to provide over $46,000 in loan money for Maine Indians.
  • In 2007, we received the Faith in Action award from Equality Maine.
  • In 2008, we were the first congregation in Maine to support the Declaration of Religious Support for the Freedom of Same Sex Couples to Marry.
  • In 2009, we committed to support Iraqi refugees now living in the Portland area.
  • In 2009, also our church received the Golden House Award from Habitat for Humanity. See a picture of our members receiving the award on the Social Action home page. Scroll down to the section on Habitat.
  • In 2011, we began a Prisoner Advocacy Group.
  • In 2012, we won the Portland Citizen award from EcoMaine.  Our refugee support is expanding to include immigrants, too.

New members are encouraged to write our next chapters by getting involved.