FCC Social Justice - Year End Report

Administered Survey of Congregation, wrote report and issue summary, and distributed same

Attended Forum on Fascism, 4 Sessions, West Wind Unitarian Universalist Church, Norman

Attended Interfaith Breakfast, City of Norman, January

Attended Norman Refugee Coalition Event, February, McFarlin UMC

Volunteered at Mutual Aid Fair, Red Dirt Collective, February and May, 2025

Designed pin and held lapel pin sale for congregation, February

Identified local and area organizations working on five issues

Set calendar on five issues for 2025

Held successful t-shirt sale for church, March-April

Met with representatives of the Norman Public School System on volunteer opportunities, and

              in particular, Madison Elementary School

Volunteered at Madison Elementary School’s STEM and Literature Fair, October

Supported Norman’s Pride festival through digital sponsorship, booth, and parade participation

Presented Don and Kay Holladay at the May potluck, “LGBTQ+ Community under Attack.”

Tabled for the church at the Norman City Juneteenth celebration at Reeves Park

Attended Green-speak event, University Lutheran Church, June

Wrote bulletin and email inserts for all five major issues on a monthly basis during the year

Presented Carla Atkinson, Potluck, June, speaking on volunteer opportunities for the

              Norman Public Schools

Presented Tim Atkins, Oklahoma Faith Network on Separation of Church and State in Oklahoma,

              Potluck, October

Sponsored Cleveland County Crop Walk, October, with members donating $1120, and church        sponsorship of $275.

Presented Dick Pryor, KGOU, on the current state of public media, Potluck, November

Attended No Kings Event, Norman, Oklahoma, October.

Sponsored two families for Women’s Resource Center Christmas Gift Event, December

Initiated and continued interactions with St. Michael’s Outreach Committee

Directed Distribution of Benevolence Funds (in conjunction with other board gifts) to the following organizations:

              Food and Shelter for Friends, Norman

McFarlin Food Store

             St. Michaels Church (for blessing bags and Care-a-Van meals)

             CCFI  (Center for Children and Families, Inc.)  

             Oklahoma Faith Network

             KGOU   

             The Beacon Project  (teen education nonprofit)

              Red Dirt Collective  (assists marginalized people)

              Women’s Resource Center

              Pride Booth, Parade, and hand-outs May, Norman  

In addition to the above funds, directed at the five major areas of concern expressed in the January ‘25 poll of the congregation, the board continued its annual gift of $1000 to the

Norman Coalition for Refugee Support (NCRS). In addition to the above actions, the CARE committee and the Board support the local Styrofoam recycling project at University Lutheran Church.

The Social Justice Committee members are: Kathy Bayliss, Heather Bedle, Jacob Bruehl, Lindsay Bruehl, Judith Coker, Bill Galbraith, Teri Muenchau, and Michael Stevens. Warren Hardin is the church representative to the NCRS. We are very grateful for the support and participation of the congregation and look forward to a mission-filled program in 2026, guided by Heather Bedle, Chairperson.