JUSTICE & WITNESS
He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
— Micah 6:8
Our church has had a long tradition of Outreach. The congregation's goal historically has been to use 10% of our income to provide relief to those less fortunate. This includes the United Church of Christ US and world ministries. Our members were involved in starting the Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry more than 40 years ago. We have also financially supported local agencies and organizations such as Lazarus House, Hesed House, TriCity Family Services, Court Appointed Special Advocates and others.
In 2008 and 2009 a group started Justice and Witness as a corresponding ministry. While Outreach provides immediate relief for friends and neighbors, Justice and Witness seeks out the root causes creating the need for such relief and address them.
We have addressed –
- Our Environment
- Gun Violence
- Interfaith awareness through an annual dinner co-sponsored by the Batavia Islamic Center
- The Aurora Pride Parade
- Suicide Prevention
Through our membership and participation in the Fox River Valley Initiative, we have helped bring about::
- Decriminalizing mental illness
- Training Law Enforcement personnel in dealing with people with mental illness
- Affordable housing for low income neighbors
- Addressing solutions to gun violence regionally and nationally
- The Justice and Witness Team were the first in our congregation to support the establishment of the Legal Aid Clinic that provides pro bono legal advice to anyone in the community qualified by low income.
If you’re interested in working in any of these areas or some other area of injustice, contact Ann Alexander, or the church office.
Congregational Church of Batavia, UCC
21 S Batavia Ave, Batavia, IL 60510
630-879-1999