Faith In Action Network
The mission of our Faith in Action Network is grounded in our congregation’s covenant, “love is the doctrine of this congregation…and service is its prayer.” We seek to welcome all, inspire compassion and serve community by standing in the gap between the world as it is, and the world as it should be.
Members, friends and community leaders shape the heart of our faith in action network. Sign-up to receive our monthly e-news.
Guiding Principles
Spiritually Grounded: We draw on our deepest values to guide us as we answer the call to justice.
Deeply Relational: We build relationships across boundaries of race and class.
Strategically Effective: We work in partnership and strive for the greatest collective impact.
Eco-Justice Team
Where compassion and action meet our 7th UU principle – respect for the interdependent web of all life. Our congregation helped start Faith in Place, our key partner in sustainability and advocacy for environmental justice. We are also an active member in the Oak Park Interfaith Green Network, a collaboration of 15+ local faith communities working on environmental justice and sustainability. Contact ecojustice@unitytemple.org
Food Rescue
Every Friday a team from our congregation rescues food from Trader Joe’s in Oak Park, and delivers, unpacks and sorts items to be distributed on Saturday at Beyond Hunger – helping alleviate hunger in our community, and keeping good food out of landfills. Contact foodrescue@unitytemple.org
Housing Forward
Housing Forward sites provide shelter for people experiencing homelessness. Our members support Housing Forward in a variety of ways, including collection drives and volunteering at one site – First United Church (across the street from Unity Temple) – 4th Mondays, 6-10:30pm, or 5-7am the following morning. Contact housingforward@unitytemple.org
Immigration and Refugee Response
We believe in our first UU principle – the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We organize members and friends to take actions with our community partners, including: Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), and Refugee One, to advocate for immigration justice. Contact immigration@unitytemple.org
Reproductive Justice Team
We work to keep women’s health and reproductive services available, offer educational events, and participate in advocacy for reproductive rights with the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) and Planned Parenthood. Contact reproductive@unitytemple.org.
Restorative Justice Team
We work with our community partners: Community Renewal Society (CRS), and the UU Prison Ministry of Illinois (UUPMI) to transform the prison industrial complex, and support in-prison ministry, a pen pal program between people locked up and people in the free world, re-entry services, and education to help our congregation become a place of radical hospitality and welcome. Contact restorativejustice@unitytemple.org.
Vote Love
Our team started in fall 2019 as part of the UUA’s national #UUtheVote, and statewide UUANI Vote Love campaign. Join us in #LivingOurValues with our 5th UU principle–valuing the democratic process! We organize around issues that reflect our values, and take actions to protect our democracy and the right to vote. Contact votelove@unitytemple.org