Emily Koechlin, UUSJ Board Member Bringing UU values to our efforts, with an even louder and more courageous voice I first became acquainted with UUSJ through the Advocacy Corps. For many years I have been involved in progressive causes, so the UUSJ Advocacy Corps was a perfect fit for me. I looked forward to the … Continue reading Bringing UU values to our efforts, with an even louder and more courageous voice
Although much has occurred in the past three weeks and there are ongoing issues, it’s worth celebrating some important democracy successes. More people voted in the 2020 elections than have ever voted before. This was the direct result of tireless efforts by many, many different and diverse groups around the country, including UU churches and … Continue reading Fred Van Deusen – Reflections on 2020
Chaplain Eleanor Piez, UU Community Minister. Eleanor served as Intern Minister with UUC of Annapolis and UU Legislative Ministry of MD and is currently affiliated with Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church, VA. As a minister, I feel it’s my job to ask continually: How do we advance our noblest spiritual beliefs and commitments? How, each day, do we … Continue reading UUSJ’s presence in the halls of power is important to share and implement our values
Sean McCarthy, Immigration Task Group, UUSJ Board Member, UU Congregation of Rockville I retired in early 2014. I’d had a career in corporate law, but I now wanted to do something that would be of greater benefit to society. When my local bar association put out a call for volunteers to help unaccompanied children … Continue reading I feel like I am helping make a small difference in progress on a difficult social justice problem
Although much has occurred in the past three weeks and there are ongoing issues, it’s worth celebrating some important democracy successes. More people voted in the 2020 elections than have ever voted before. This was the direct result of tireless efforts by many, many different and diverse groups around the country, including UU churches and … Continue reading Reflections on 2020 from Fred Van Deusen, Convener, Defending Our Democracy
David Shilton, Arlington Unitarian Universalist Church I was intrigued one day after services at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington to see people writing letters at tables with big UUSJ signs. Closer inspection revealed that the letters were personal statements about the importance of preventing proposed cuts to the SNAP nutrition program. Putting aside concerns … Continue reading Finding Out That Our UU Voices Matter on Capitol Hill
Our fundamental UU principles of acceptance of one another; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; and the use of the democratic process in our society, are under attack, and we must defend them. In doing so we UUs, working together with the assistance of UUSJ and many other groups, can help address the intolerable … Continue reading Our Most Basic UU Principles Are Under Attack
I am inspired by the vision of a just world. It is a world that embraces and perpetuates Unitarian Universalist Principles of dignity, democracy, justice, and interconnectedness. I committed to volunteering for the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice Advocacy Corps to be a part of making this vision a reality. The year 2016 marked a … Continue reading Jula Kinnaird on Envisioning a Just World (Why I Commit to UUSJ)
In 2010, after belonging to the Unitarian Universalist faith for 30 years, I began to ask if the search for personal spiritual growth was enough. I concluded that belief without work to achieve UU goals lacked real value to me. So I began to look for ways to turn my own beliefs into action. Among … Continue reading Dean Wanderer, Sitting Out is Not My Way
We asked, why UUSJ? I am overwhelmed with racial injustice, the climate crisis, and pandemic fear. I ask myself on what side of history do I want to be on? What do I want to stand for? I put my faith into action with Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ). Ysaye Maria Barnwell wrote, “we are … Continue reading Kelly Perry on What side of history do I want to be on (Why I put my faith into action with UUSJ)
