Hello U.U. Family,

The Special Plate collection is a ministry of our church that connects us tangibly to our neighboring agencies and partners. It is one way we act as an ally and reach our neighbors in need. Once a month, First UU Berks designates a Sunday offering collection to benefit a Reading-Berks non-profit organization working on issues that reflect our spiritual values and principles. Beneficiaries of these offerings are recommended and voted on by the congregation.

While there are many, many deserving agencies, we seek your suggestions for programs to support during our next 5-month cycle which runs SEPTEMBER - JANUARY. We ask that you suggest programs that are most in line with our UU values and also in the most need. Please make sure the organization has a 501(3)c status and has not received a plate collection in the last 12 months.

As a reminder, our primary social justice concerns, as determined by the survey conducted in Summer 2018, are:
1. Anti-Racism
2. Immigration Justice
3. Economic Justice
4. Environmental Justice

We have also decided that we will not put ongoing programs within our church on the ballot because they will be supported through our church budget. We know that this can be a difficult decision as we feel that all of the programs we support are worthy causes.  

For your reference, you will find a listing below of recent Special Plate recipients and the amounts that they were awarded.

Please respond by midnight Sunday, August 16, 2021 or email g.social.justice@uuberks.org