Recent special offerings at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Canton raised more than $4,600 to provide medical and food relief for Ukraine refugees.

The offerings are part of the church's SASOs (Social Action Shared Offerings), in which periodic Sunday offering are taken to support local, regional, national or international causes, instead of church operations.

"Social justice work is a critical aspect of the church for many of our members," stated SASO coordinator Pat Alden. “Through these shared offerings, we learn what some great organizations are doing to provide aid and address critical issues. Through our SASOs, we educate, advocate, and donate.”

In the case of the Ukraine SASOs, the issue and the needs were widely known, but the SASO committee researched to identify two outstandingly effective organizations providing aid: Direct Relief in Ukraine, which provides medical aid, and World Food Kitchens, which provides hot meals for refugees.

"People were passionate about this topic, and looking for ways to make a difference," noted Faith in Action co-chair Caron Collins.

Other recent SASOs have been directed to local organizations, such as the North Country Child Advocacy Center which provides specialized support to abused children and their families; and the Welcome Home Project at Akwesasne which provides housing for recently incarcerated people returning to the community.

GardenShare’s Bonus Bucks program was the focus of a SASO last year. This year, the Green Belt Movement was selected, an environmental and social action program originating in Kenya whose goals include the planting of one billion trees worldwide

There are about eight SASOs each year, selected from nominations of church members from throughout St. Lawrence County and carefully vetted by the SASO committee. "We want to raise awareness about social justice issues and groups doing great work to solve problems," said Alden. The SASO group for the month is featured in the church newsletters and e-news, at social hour, during the regular service, and with youth group programming.

The Unitarian Universalist Church, creating a welcoming, compassionate faith community, committed to social justice and open to wonder, is located at 3½ East Main Street, across from the park in Canton. Sunday service and religious education classes begin at 10:30 a.m. For directions and to learn more visit www.uucantonny.org.