The Do Justice Ministry mobilizes the people of Community United Church of Christ to advocate for structural change, strengthening our work through collaboration with community groups.
We study, discuss, and advocate for public and corporate policies that an unofficial consensus of the church membership deems important, often brought to us by individuals in the congregation. These policies are centered on such issues as peace, justice, equity, and the integrity of our institutions. The congregation acts through prayers, letters, petitions, rallies, visits, and donations. Our work is strengthened through collaboration with community groups. It is Do Justice which mobilizes us to attend HKonJ and to participate in Campaign Nonviolence Week.
Do Justice is responsible for selecting the nominees for the Carolyn and Cy King Peace and Justice Award. They also steward our commitment to two resolutions which describe the kind of congregation we want to become: the Economic Justice Covenant and Just Peace Church. Finally, from time to time they bring to the congregation a resolution advocating for a specific public policy, and then represent the congregation in presenting the resolution to the relevant elected officials.
Current projects
Racial Justice Project
The Racial Justice Project has three main components. First, Community UCC members participated in a Racial Justice Pilgrimage in June 2022 to visit important historical sites in the United States’s struggle for racial justice. We have developed resources that congregations can use to plan their own pilgrimage (click here). Second, Community UCC members can be part of an ongoing Racial Justice Affinity Google Group, which provides a safe platform for members and friends of Community UCC to share information and opportunities to pursue racial justice. The group communicates primarily through email; to join, contact Jim Smith. Third, participants in the Racial Justice Project are supporting efforts to install an historical marker and sculpture in Wake County to commemorate the lynching that occurred here. This project is in conjunction with the Equal Justice Initiative’s National Memorial for Peace and Justice (read more here). Additionally, Do Justice Ministry members are part of community groups fostering racial justice and share opportunities to join those groups with CUCC members.
