UPCOMING EVENTS
Justice Committee
Our mission is to invite and empower the broader church congregation, and the wider community, to support justice and peace.
We do this through
• Educational programs, resources and the encouragement of individual action
• Coordination with other NUCC boards and committees
• Collaboration with other local faith and civic organizations
Our three primary areas of focus are
• Social Justice
• Equity
• Democracy
Visit our drop down menus below for more information.
We meet monthly to plan the programs that highlight issues in our community. We hold an annual spring retreat on campus to strategize for the year’s activities.
Anyone interested in advancing justice in our world is invited to attend our programs and join the committee. For more information about our meeting schedule or programs, contact Jen Walker.
Social Justice
We have held monthly expert speaker programs on an affordable housing crisis in Collier County, followed by a major community Workforce Housing Forum co-sponsored with Greater Naples Leadership. We held another community forum on the increase in Youth Mental Health incidences and the needed support for resources, with leaders of community organizations devoted to mental health support. The Bargain Box is the oldest church mission thrift store in Naples and is run by volunteers. Revenue created by store sales funds the church’s many outreach efforts. Over the years, the Bargain Box has contributed over $1 million to charities that provide human services both locally and globally. To be part of a volunteer opportunity that helps a great cause, contact Sandy Goldstein, Manager, at (239) 262-3802. To learn more about the Bargain Box click here.
Equity
We organize participation at the annual Naples PrideFest in support of LGBTQ+ persons and the MLK Celebration in Naples in support of racial justice. To commemorate Black History Month, County officials will present a program on the soon-to-open Black History Box Car Museum. To learn more about our mission partner, visit their website at www.graceplacenaples.org Food Pantry Join NUCC volunteers at the Grace Place Food Pantry which operates every Friday from 1:00 - 4:00 pm.  Grace Place currently serves approximately 300 families every week.  On designated Fridays, from October through April, NUCC volunteers work two shifts, 12:00-2:30 pm and 2:30-4:00 pm. Dates will be announced in the NUCC’s e-blasts, Sunday bulletins and Church calendar.  May through September volunteers may sign up directly with Melisa Mast, melisa.mast@graceplacenaples.org, for a time that suits their schedule.  Cans for Communion Donations of nonperishable food items for the Grace Place Food Pantry will be collected before each service on Communion Sunday, the first Sunday of the month.  A list of food items needed is available at https://graceplacenaples.org/food-pantry/ .  Volunteers who wish to help unload donations from arriving cars may sign up by calling the Church office.  ​
Democracy
Recently, we addressed the security of voting in elections with a program by the Collier County Supervisor of Elections on how ballots are handled and counted here. This was followed by a private tour of the facility. Two non-partisan informative programs were held on the 2024 summer primary and the November ballots before both elections. We held a lively open discussion on Christian Nationalism after inviting attendees to read any one or more of 12 books or watch a movie on the political movement. Concerned about the societal damage of extreme partisanship and lack of civility in our families and community, we joined with Greater Naples Leadership in 2024 to hold a major community forum, Reduce the Rancor, co-sponsored with other community nonprofit organizations, that was attended by 700 and viewed online by another 200. We held a lively open discussion on Christian Nationalism, after inviting attendees to read any one or more of 12 books or watch a movie on the political movement.   Concerned about the societal damage of extreme partisanship and lack of civility in our families and community, we joined with Greater Naples Leadership in 2024 to hold a major community forum, Reduce the Rancor, co-sponsored with other community nonprofit organizations, that was attended by 700 and viewed online by another 200.
Harry Chapin Food Bank
HCFB feeds a quarter of a million people each month in five-counties. On the first Wednesday of the month, NUCC volunteers pack food from 8:30-11:30 or noon to 3:00 pm. Volunteers who participated before need to register online at https://www.volgistics.com/vicnet/289330/login. First time volunteers go to https://www.volgistics.com/appform/754780826 to submit a quick application. Signups are also available in the Gathering Place on Sundays or by calling the church office. Watch for packing dates in NUCC’s e-blasts, Sunday bulletins or Church calendar. To learn more about our mission partner visit https://harrychapinfoodbank.org.
Prepare Breakfast for Youth Haven
On Christmas morning, NUCC volunteers prepare breakfast for the residents of Youth Haven. Signups are available in the Gather Place on Sundays or by calling the church office. Watch for announcements in NUCC’s e-blasts and Sunday bulletins. To learn more about our mission partner, visit https://youthhavenswfl.org
Environmental Subcommittee
Our mission is to invite and empower the broader church congregation, and the wider community, to be stewards of the environment and to play an essential role in furthering behaviors and participation in non-partisan political advocacy that will protect and sustain God’s creation, our earth.
We carry out our mission by presenting educational workshops, films, guest speakers and field trips in the areas of
• Climate Change
• Environmental Justice
• Plastic Pollution Reduction
• Everglades Protection
• Protection of Water Resources
• And other issues impacting our planet
We encourage individual research and awareness of timely issues through resources such as the environmental action alerts provided by the United Church of Christ. Justice and Peace Action Network
We meet the second Thursday of the month to exchange information and plan programs. All who are interested in furthering our mission are invited to attend our meetings and programs.