Volunteering with people who share my values has been wonderful Finding UUSJ’s Democracy Action Team (DAT), which I’ve been active with since February, has been a gift for me. I’ve been deeply concerned about the state of our democracy, which is in a crisis, and about the voting rights situation in our country. Frankly, I’m … Continue reading Dee Ellison
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
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
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
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)
“Show me what Democracy looks like. This is what Democracy looks like.” This chant is often heard in nationwide protest rallies. I love it! It affirms that we Americans have freedom of speech, freedom to assemble and the right to urge our government to make changes. It also affirms our Unitarian Universalist principles of the … Continue reading Pat Behenna on Amplifying Voices at the Margins (Why I Witness with UUSJ)
It has been my honor to represent two Unitarian Universalist congregations on the Board of Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ). Why? Because I believe in the role and potential of UUSJ. Like many of you, I belonged to a different religion prior to becoming a Unitarian Universalist. I was Lutheran for many years, but … Continue reading Gary Magnuson on the Need for an Unremitting UU Presence in Washington, DC (Why I believe in the role and potential of UUSJ…)
