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February 23, 1995


---

Unitarian Universalists put feet
where mouth is

By TOM RUE

MILANVILLE - Local human service organization representatives met on February 12 with members of a religious fellowship which meets near Skinners Falls, to receive checks raised through two 1994 fund-raising events.

The money was raised by the social action committee of the Upper Delaware Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (UDUUF) which meets Sunday mornings in Milanville.

Hundreds of local people contributed to the efforts.

What the four beneficiaries have in common, said UDUUF treasurer Ann Rue, is their commitment to the ideals of social responsibility and human freedom. On behalf of the fellowship, $4000 was evenly divided and handed out to the following groups:

Interfaith Outreach United (IOU), a Callicoon-based agency providing emergency relief to western Sullivan County;


Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County (HFH), a grassroots ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing for all;


Victim's Intervention Program (VIP), a Wayne County agency providing services to victims of domestic violence; and


Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office (UUUN), offering humanitarian advocacy worldwide.


Funds were raised via a walk-a-thon in October and a square dance in July, Rue said.


The concept of the UDUUF's support of humanitarian efforts was initiated by Bud Rue of Milanville who died participating in the 1993 walk-a-thon. To honor his efforts the fellowship plans to continue the Bud Rue Memorial Walk for Social Justice, named in his memory, as an annual autumn occurrence, Ann Rue said.


Participants either sponsored a walker or walked the stretch of River Road between Narrowsburg and Milanville, with the pledged financial support of others. Most of the organizations benefitting from the walk sent their own contingents to walk with UDUUF members.


Peg and Dale Rosenberg of Honesdale appeared for HFH, which they said is now beginning construction of its second house. Wayne County HFH was co-founded by the late Bud Rue. Some present noted involvement in currently helping to create a new local HFH affiliate chapter to serve Sullivan County.


"The work of IOU goes on all year," said Carolyn Hubers, "not just at the holidays." She said the $1000 came at a particularly good time and that IOU had a busy month of February.


Speaking of clients who have survived physically abusive relationships, VIP board member Linda Rose said, "Instead of being physically abused, it's nice to be helped by other people's physical exertion."


Fellowship member Gil Mende began the program by inviting anyone who felt so inspired to light a candle in the name of a particular object or thought, or to do so silently. Rue lit one in memory of her late husband whom she said "focused our attentions on becoming more socially responsible to our fellow people."


A video, entitled Sharing a Vision of Justice portrayed the work of the Unitarian Universalists' organizational work in aid of human freedom -- and speaking out against evil -- dating back to the creation of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee in 1939 to respond to Nazi atrocities, was shown.


The fellowship meets Sundays, 11:00 a.m., at Innisfree in Milanville. UDUUF's chief founders, consulting minister Rev. Raymond and Barbara Pontier of Narrowsburg, are expected to return from wintering in Florida by early spring.


For more information on Sunday program topics call Ann Rue at 717/729-7197, or watch the media for announcements.