How do we integrate our commitment to becoming an anti-racist church with our historic giving practices and already established relationships? How do we transform systems of oppression with our resources? How do we not pit values and priorities against each other? These are just some of the questions Justice & Love in Action (formerly […]
The Edwards Church Board of Wider Mission
The Justice and Love in Action Team focuses on social justice issues, in hopes of expanding circles of healing and justice to neighbors near and far. In recent years, we have provided numerous opportunities to respond in love to the crises of changing climate and increased public hatred. Our committee worked to provide the Edwards community concrete ways to engage in acts of compassion and social change on our campus, in the broader local community, and globally.
Preparing ourselves to care for our wider community
In order to positively impact our community, Justice and Love in Action offers educational opportunities to help us learn about issues of justice and the environment. We aim to learn more about systems of oppression in hopes of creating change, and to discover and implement ways of being more environmentally sustainable.
Supporting and promoting justice in our local community
Justice and Love in Action helps our congregation positively impact the lives of people in our local community. We support local folks who are homeless and/or in need of day to day necessities, recently arrived refugees and asylum seekers, and we also look for opportunities to help make our nearby towns more welcoming and just for everyone. These include a Martin Luther King Conference in Framingham; Framingham Comes Together; Palm Sunday Parade with our campus' partnering worship committees; and contributions to A Place to Turn, One Less Gift, and Worcester Fellowship, among many others.
Supporting and promoting justice in the wider world
We also seek to extend care to people nationally and internationally, both in moments of crisis and for building ongoing, sustainable support.
Our 2023 annual report is available, and you will find our latest activities below.
Special Offerings for January—The Diaper Project and “Donate”
For the celebration of Epiphany, the Justice and Love in Action Team invites you to bring in diapers for The Diaper Project at A Place to Turn. Sizes 5, 6 and 4T-5T pull-ups are especially needed. You can also donate sanitary pads and tampons as part of the DONATE project — a program started by […]
Reflections on the Challenge of Becoming Antiracist
As I reflect on my journey to become an antiracism activist, I remember when I didn’t know what white privilege was. Growing up 1960s I remember seeing marches on TV before my father changed the channel, hearing about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at our UCC church and talking at the Sunday dinner table […]
Celebrating our impact
In recent weeks, the Justice and Love in Action Team (formerly the Board of Wider Mission) has received correspondence from several organizations we support, letting us know that our efforts make a huge difference. Here are some updates. For several years, the African Community Education Project in Worcester has received Seeds of Grace grants […]
Songs at the Heart of Our Times
Songs at the Heart of our Times: Bringing Hope and Uplifting Community Through Music Sunday, October 30, 5 pm, in the Edwards Church Sanctuary On Sunday, October 30, at 5 pm in the Edwards Church sanctuary, there will be a special concert: Songs At The Heart Of Our Times: Bringing Hope And Uplifting Community Through […]
September Special Offering
Sunrise School for Learners with Autism in Kenya We invite you to give generously to Sunrise School in Mumias, Kenya. This boarding school teaches children with special needs to care for themselves and share their gifts with their communities. Over the last year, we have created quilts which have been brought to the Sunrise School. […]
Juneteenth Reflections
When Karen Nell asked for volunteers to lead the June Seeds of Grace worship, something nudged me to accept the challenge. I did not know at the time that it was to be a Juneteenth recognition service. Once I found that out, I was so happy I volunteered. You see, over the last few years […]
Summer Special Offerings
SPECIAL OFFERING FOR JULY Sister Song and Planned Parenthood This month’s special offering focuses on reproductive rights. Our faith affirms the sacredness of the human body, God’s desire for the flourishing of all humanity, and that God grants all humans moral agency over their own bodies. We are called to remove barriers to this self-agency, […]
Supporting Refugees
Special Offering for OctoberSupport for Refugees from Afghanistan We are so blessed to have a meaningful partnership with our friends at Jewish Family Services of Metrowest. We have worked together on backpacks for Framingham school children, creating a Framingham hub for Training Active Bystanders, addressing emergency needs during the pandemic, mindfulness packets for students, and […]
Stand Up to Hate and Spread Love
Indigenous Peoples Day CeremonyMonday, October 11 at 3:00pmMcCarthy Elementary School8 Flagg Drive in FraminghamPlease join us in making a statement against hate and recognizing historical injustices that tie into our communities’ present-day injustices. Community leaders and Cultural Stewards of the Nipmuc Nation will be in attendance and speak. This family event is outdoors, and masks […]