Those interested in working on social justice activities are invited to gather on the 2nd Sunday after worship to share concerns and plan activities.  The ASC community supports the cause of social justice in a variety of ways:

A. Financially:

• Our Share-the-Plate offerings each Sunday give those attending worship services a chance to contribute financially to local organizations with social justice as their mission. Our first Sunday of the month Worship Service typically features a guest speaker who offers us information about the focus organizations’ causes and programs. Organizations with whom we are sharing our offering during 2023-2024 include: Boys & Girls Club of Brattleboro, Brattleboro Area Hospice, Brattleboro Area Housing, Brattleboro Walk-In Clinic, Community Asylum Seekers Project, ECDC (refugee support), Groundworks Collaborative, SUSU commUnity Farm, Theatre Adventure, Windham County Humane Society, Women’s Freedom Center and 350 Vermont.  Children in our Religious Exploration Program also raise funds for Heifer International during the November/December holidays.

B. Donations & Hands-on-Support:

• We collect needed items for community organizations with whom we share our offering.  Collections have included canned and boxed food for Foodworks (part of the Groundworks Collaborative), personal care items for the Women’s Freedom Center, games and activity items for the Boys & Girls Club and kitchenware, cleaning and bathroom supplies for refugee families served by ECDC.
• We prepare a monthly community meal for persons who are homeless or in housing transition and served by Groundworks.  Volunteers come together at the church to prepare this meal on the 3rd Thursday of the month.  Times and contact person are listed on the church calendar.

C. With Our Spirit:

• Individuals within the congregation often wish to sponsor a public event, presentation, or benefit activity to support a social or environmental cause dear to their hearts.  We encourage those who wish to do so to contact the ASC Board about sponsoring a public event at our building, the West Village Meeting House.
• Members and friends are encouraged to alert others in the ASC community of actions going on locally in support of causes such as immigrant rights, religious freedom, women’s and children’s causes, and health care for all.  Many members participate in rallies, vigils, and marches independently or as a group, carrying our “Side with Love” banner.  The E-News (weekly) and West Village Voice (monthly) are forums for communication.