How is your congregation providing support for people during the recession?

1st Unitarian Church of Chicago

  • Occasional sermons related to the recession and occasional newsletter announcements that might be considered social networking during difficult economic times, but nothing focused like a support group

2nd Unitarian Church of Chicago

  • Like many congregations during this economic downturn, a number of members of Second Unitarian Church were laid off; and in response, our church established a 2U Employment Support Group. The group comes together for support, concrete resources and accountability. They meet every Monday morning.
  • We released the first edition of the 2U Member Businesses and Services Directory. The directory is meant to publicize the talents and services of our membership households. If you or a member of your household would like to be included in the directory please submit a form to Lisa Todd. A special thanks to Liz for the layout and editing of the directory.
  • We also compiled a booklet of classifieds that is housed outside of our sanctuary on Sundays. People can post their resumes. List their desire to share housing or rent a room. People are responsible for updating their posting.
  • We hire members for our cleaning and staffing of special events. If a member is interested they contact the church office. There are specific physical requirements and time commitments will be discussed with the member.

Beverly Unitarian Church

  • * Annual food drive for local food bank
  • Volunteering with PADS
  • Special collections for New Neighbors (non-profit dealing with homelessness) and PADS

Countryside Church UU

  • We hold a 9-session program called Making the Most of Our Money. This program is provided to limited income families in the community. This program is offered twice a year.
  • We held a money summit this spring to discuss the economic downturn, its origins and how we can help each other. We also held a health care summit.
    Northshore Unitarian Church
  • We have a minister's discretionary fund, and have made a third Sunday collection to add funding to that.
  • We are planning a resource list for people in the congregation to support each other by bartering services
  • We are planning more potlucks and other church get togethers to develop a greater sense of community

Unitarian Church of Evanston

  • We have a group that meets periodically to support each other as they look for work. One of the facilitators does great work on human resource issues.
  • There is a Pastoral Fund that the ministers use as need for specific issues.

UU Church of Elgin

  • Working to increase the amount that we donate to the Interfaith food pantry
  • Donated Share the Plate money to local PADS through summer

UU Society of Geneva

  • Minister has Make a Difference (MAD) money to use as needed by individuals