Congregations in New Hampshire offer their members various ways to respond to their interests in social action and social justice. Committees have been formed to organize approaches to local issues, to evaluate the priorities of their congregations, and to determine the best ways to proceed.. These committees are at different stages of development. Contact between the NH Social Responsibility Representative and leaders across the state have revealed the variety of this work. Committees have:

• researched and implemented outreach efforts with local youth and children
   
• investigated elder support strategies
   
• sponsored soup kitchen involvement by members;
   
• created advocacy strategies for apparent discrimination against a minority member of the community
   
• sponsored letter-writing opportunities relating to legislative activity
   
• organized educational programs and presentations on issues of justice and social responsibility
   
• supported environmental action
   
• organized events to bridge relationships with Arab-Americans

Any member church in New Hampshire can now access funding through our District to participate in some exciting "Leadership Training" workshops offered by the InterValley Project (IVP). IVP has assisted in the development of the Granite State Organizing Project, of which three UU congregations are current members. Contact us for more information on this great opportunity to build leadership in your congregation and to join other organizations in social justice work.

For the coming year there is an open invitation to all Social Action or Social Justice committees in New Hampshire to send a volunteer to participate in a quarterly coordinating committee meeting. These meetings will: (a) designate a member to concentrate on one area of interest to research and organize; and (b) create a liaison role with local committees who seek assistance in an area of interest for their congregation.

For more information, contact the NH Social Responsibility Representative, Mary Wellemeyer