When Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Congregation suspended its free, weekly spaghetti suppers at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the congregation voted to provide matching funds for special collections that would go to area organizations aligned with PUUC’s mission to serve and inspire the local and global community.
In April, a special collection for Ukrainian relief raised more than $2,000, and additional funds from PUUC’s social justice fund brought it to $3,600. The funds were donated to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s (UUSC) Emergency Response Fund for Ukraine.
In addition to the special collection for Ukraine, PUUC holds a vigil every Thursday at 4:30, which includes the ringing of the church bells. PUUC invited other churches to join in, and now bells can be heard in Peterborough, Jaffrey, Harrisville, Dublin and Keene supporting the people of Ukraine and sending prayers for the end of the war.
PUUC selected other recipients of its special collections whose work addresses issues including food and housing security, racial and immigrant justice and climate change and the environment. Some of this year’s collections have supported End 68 Hours of Hunger, Shelter from the Storm, Project Home, Monadnock Area Transitional Shelter and the Black Heritage Trail. The June collection is designated for 350NH.
The funds are raised through donations of congregants and normally are each matched with up to $500 from the congregation’s social justice fund. In addition, the congregation addresses these issues by working with others in the community, raising awareness and providing services where needed. For more information or to participate in special collections, go to uupeterborough.org.