The Office of Social Responsibility
"Into the 21st Century..."
The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches
THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AIMS TO:
PROMOTE social action and concern within the General Assembly of
Unitarian and Free Christian Churches.
INVOLVE individuals and groups of members throughout the
denomination by the process of education and awareness raising
to take up the challenge of direct social action.
EQUIP local churches and district associations by whatever means
available to become actively involved in matters of social concern.
SHARE with other denominations and charities our concern with social
issues and our own experience and knowledge in various fields.
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"The faith of a church... is an adequate faith only when it inspires
and enables people to give of their time and energy to shape the
various institutions - social, economic and political - of the common
life."
(James Luther Adams)
THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY ACTS IN A CATALYTIC ROLE BY:
- encouraging Unitarians to express their faith in practical ways to
benefit the community
- raising awareness on social justice issues
- offering leadership to districts, congregations and fellowships by
providing advice, information and educational material
- "I have the audacity to believe that people everywhere can have three
meals a day for their bodies; education and culture for their minds;
and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits."
(Martin Luther King)
We hope to expand our denominational social responsibility structure
and increase participation in social justice work to strengthen our
social witness in society.
THE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OFFICER
- provides a link with other denominations, faiths and secular
organisations
- represents Unitarian interests in the above contexts
- researches and analyses social justice topics
- issues public statements in the name of the Office of Social
Responsibility
- co-ordinates and encourages social responsibility activity
and study within our churches
- "Social Responsibility leads to Socal Action; Social Action leads
to Social Justice; Social Justice leads to Peace!
(Ingrid Tavkar)
We aim to provide high profile representation on and involvement
with all secular organisations to which the General Assembly is
affiliated.
ECUMENICAL INVOLVEMENT
The Office of Social Responsibility continues the important work of the
former World Development and Action Committee in direct liaison with
the Churches World Development Network and with the One World Week
office.
The Office is involved in the Council of Churches for Britain and
Ireland (CCBI) Social Responsibility Consultation. Here denominational
Officers meet to discuss and plan specific areas of social action and
promote combined activities.
The Office also liaises with other CCBI agencies:
- Christian Network for Racial Justice (CNRJ)
- Network of Christian Peace Organisations (NCPO)
- London Ecumenical AIDS Forum (LEAF)
For further information contact:
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Office of Social Responsibility,
General Assembly of Unitarian
and Free Christian Churches,
Essex Hall,
1-6 Essex Street,
London WC2R 3HY.
Tel: 0171 240 2384
Fax: 0171 240 3089
Email: socresp@unitarian.org.uk
Website: http://www.unitarian.org.uk
Webmaster, CotOM (ft@nessie.mcc.ac.uk)