Mission:
To raise funds for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. The UUSC is committed to our shared Unitarian Universalist principles and works at helping challenge injustice throughout the world.
Description:
Shortly before Thanksgiving, colorful Guest at Your Table boxes are distributed to members of the congregation as part of our worship service. Congregants are encouraged to place this box on their dinner tables and deposit loose change or cash into the box at each meal, as a practice of giving thanks. Members are asked to return the filled boxes to a specified December service several weeks later. The money collected is counted, and then turned over to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.
UU Principles:
The “Guest at Your Table” project honors our principle “to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person” through the UUSC’s mission to challenge injustice worldwide.
Schedule:
Empty Guest at your Table boxes are distributed at the Sunday Service before Thanksgiving. The filled boxes are returned at a specified service in December.
Participation:
The entire congregation participates in this activity by taking the boxes home, remembering those in need during the season of Thanksgiving and encouraging family discussion at the dinner table. The Religious Education Committee obtains and assembles the boxes prior to Thanksgiving, and collects, counts and remits the proceeds in December. No special skills are required to participate, however, collecting, counting and sending in the proceeds must be performed by an adult over 18 years of age.
Donations:
The congregation contributes by placing donations in the distributed boxes and returning the filled boxes in December. The UUSC will accept individual donations through their website, as well.
Benefits:
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee uses the proceeds of “Guest at Your Table” to support its humanitarian and social justice work. These activities include:
- Disaster relief via programs such as Katrina relief
- Advancing economic justice through programs like Fair Trade
- Defending civil liberties and access to democratic processes through programs such as “STOP” torture
- Promoting environmental justice through programs which defend the human right for access to potable water
