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"I am a college student, but more urgently, I am a young Unitarian Universalist working to save my future." Learn how full-time college student Zoë Johnston a young Unitarian Universalist who put her UU values into action on October 13 as she attended People vs. Fossil Fuels protests in D.C.

https://bit.ly/31LgRQw



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Have you heard of Chalica? Chalica is a unique UU holiday. The holiday first emerged in 2005 out of a wish to have a holiday organized around Unitarian Universalist values.

Chalica began this Monday and ends this Sunday, December 12th. Chalica is a week-long holiday, during which we honor and celebrate our seven Unitarian Universalist principles. Those who celebrate Chalica spend each day reflecting on one principle—putting it into practice through their words and deeds.

Each night of Chalica, a chalice is lit and sometimes homemade gifts are
given. There are even several Chalica songs that could be sung—find them on YouTube! Join us this week, as we invite you to celebrate Chalica. Let this be a time to bring ourselves closer to our 7 principles.



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We Are Unitarian Universalists! We are brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history, and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the good. The members of the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City congregation presented a musical self-parody, set to the melody of Gilbert & Sullivan's "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General" as they encompass the "Modern Unitarian" in an amusing manner.

https://bit.ly/31Rj9xW


Members of the congregation of Salt Lake City's First Unitarian Church present a musical self-parody, set to the melody of Gilbert & Sullivan's "I Am the Ver...

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General Assembly 2022 Registration is now open! Registration for General Assembly 2022 in-person in Portland, Oregon is now open. Financial support for registration as well as a payment plan is available. General Assembly 2022 will be a multi-platform event, with registration options for in-person and/or virtual participation. Registration for Virtual participation will open on March 1.

Register Now for In-Person General Assembly! https://bit.ly/2CQ6l8M



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Tomorrow is Compass, Navigating the Paths to Liberation Together.
Wish you could attend Compass, but your schedule does not allow it?

Did you know that registration gives you access to the material even after the event?

Even if you can't make it this weekend–there is an easy way for you to watch the presentations, concert, theme speakers, UU response, and full worship service on your own time. Compass will be using Whova, an interactive platform that was used at New Day Rising and General Assembly 2021. Your registration will give you access to the materials to watch on your own time! Service can be downloaded from the Whova App for later use in your congregation in 2022.

Register now for access to this incredible weekend of programming:
https://bit.ly/3GpV5km


COMPASS- Navigating the Paths to Liberation Together, December 11-12, 2021 online.

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The UUA is partnering with the Poor People’s Campaign and other faith and justice organizations for a Moral March on Washington on Monday, Dec.13 to pass Build Back Better and voting rights legislation. We are excited to announce that UUA President Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray is joining the march and speaking at the rally. We’ll be covering Rev. Frederick-Gray’s presence all day on Monday, so follow us for live updates!

https://bit.ly/3dHodHC


With the pandemics of systemic racism, poverty, voter suppression and COVID-19 still wreaking havoc on our daily lives, our democracy, and our nation’s social and moral infrastructure, we need Congress to pass voting rights protections and the Build Back Better plan before the end of the year. Joi...

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President Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray is marching and speaking at the Poor People’s Campaign along with other faith and justice organizations for a Moral March on Washington today. Head on over to our friends at Side with Love Facebook page at 12 pm ET to watch the live stream that will include Susan Frederick Gray's speech.



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So many amazing people joining UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray in testifying today at the #MoralMonday march. They’ll be heading down Pennsylvania Ave. soon – like this post and share why democracy cannot wait. Let’s help make this movement viral!



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We echo and amplify our friends at Side with Love as they share with us live updates from the US Capitol. Our prayers and gratitude go out to those facing arrest for demanding that they take action to protect our communities and democracy before going on recess. We know arrests are happening, including some UUs as well as Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray.

Support their courageous witness by calling your Senators and tell them that recess can wait, but these votes can't! https://secure.everyaction.com/TYBeVBuT5kmqKKGEvpywSA2











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We remain grateful for the hundreds of faith leaders and activists who protested outside the U.S. Capitol in support of the Build Back Better bill yesterday, December 13th.

After the speeches concluded at Monday’s protest, the demonstrators at the Capitol marched down the street before moving in front of traffic and chanting. A short time later, police arrived and arrested people who refused to leave, including our President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and Poor People’s Campaign co-chair the Rev. Liz Theoharis. Around 70 were arrested.

We are grateful for the leadership of our President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray in this time of urgency for our democracy.

https://bit.ly/31RacoG


(RNS) — 'We've come to help you get free — but if you don't want to get free you're going to get your foot the hell off our necks,' the Rev. William Barber, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign, said of politicians who oppose the legislation.

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This week's Braver Wiser message comes from Leslie Gatto.

Spirit of Love and Life, allow us to know that our dreams will not always be fulfilled. Allow us to be open to what is before us. Allow us to be joyful even when the unexpected interferes. Allow sunrises and sunsets to lighten our souls.

Read it in full and subscribe to Braver/Wiser:https://bit.ly/3s6XBZc


Acknowledging that our dream was not happening didn't end the grief, but it did offer closure.

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As we enter the last weeks of the year, many of us will find ourselves with added holiday time off for relaxation and deep reading. Dive into this year's common read, Defund Fear: Safety Without Policing, Prisons, and Punishment by Zach Norris. Zach Norris shifts the conversation about public safety away from fear and punishment and toward growth and support systems for our families and communities. In Defund Fear, Norris explores what has gone wrong, and why, and who has been most impacted by repressive and racist policing systems. He offers a new blueprint for public safety that holds people accountable while still holding them in community. We encourage you to add this to your reading list before the new year!

https://bit.ly/3oXawuM



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The Supreme Court has a long history of eroding voting rights by undermining the Voting Rights Act, and with so many voting rights bills discussed and altered throughout 2021, it’s hard to know which ones matter right now.

Our friends at UU the Vote have clarified the roles of major voting rights bills to help us communicate more effectively when calling senators. Learn more about the urgency of passing these bills and how to contact your Senators: https://www.uuthevote.org/voting-rights-bills-december-2021/


With so many bills discussed and altered this year, it can be tough to follow what current bills are essential to protect voters from mass disenfranchisement. This concise summary helps make it clear…

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In these times, it is more important than ever to realize that we belong to each other, and we share a responsibility for the conditions and qualities that define our relationships of interdependence across the globe and with our planet. May we continue to turn away from paternalism and toward the practices of humility, solidarity, compassion, and equity in fostering the Beloved Community in our culture, our tradition, and in our communities.

Learn more from our president: https://bit.ly/3F5zj5b


A theology of interdependence is the true heart of our faith; our work for justice is our faithful response.

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Deepen your welcoming and inclusive mindset through this Loving Kindness meditation. This is a multigenerational-friendly meditation that is simple, yet grounding.

https://bit.ly/3F51scU


A theology of interdependence is the true heart of our faith; our work for justice is our faithful response.

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The UUA Lifespan Faith Engagement Office publishes curricula and resources for lifespan religious education including Tapestry of Faith curricula, Our Whole Lives sexuality education programs, training programs for religious professionals, and more. They have an intermittent need for freelance authors as well as contractors to perform copyediting, proofreading, graphic design, illustration, and multimedia production.

Find more information here:https://bit.ly/3DZUZ1z


The UUA Lifespan Faith Engagement Office publishes curricula and resources for lifespan religious education.

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Many of us are looking to grow in a big way this year. What discomfort are you leaning into to foster that change?

In the words of Emily Richards "May you leave this time together changed.
May the promises you have made to yourself about who you want to be
feel closer to the reality of who you are right now.
May you share that feeling of transformation wherever you go.
May it spread into every word, deed, thought, and interaction
Until we are all changed, transformed and transforming together,
becoming our better selves."

https://bit.ly/3Ea8Z8J


May the promises you have made to yourself about who you want to be feel closer to the reality of who you are right now.

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Sending love and good wishes to all on this Christmas Day!



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Happy #Kwanzaa! We offer "A Prayer for Kwanzaa" by Addae Ama Kraba.

O come all you faithful, rejoicing and victorious,
Come, let us embrace the mystery in the spirit of life, as we celebrate the goodness of Kwanzaa and the African American
heritage.

Come and give thanks for companions on the journey in the struggle for freedom and justice.

Our roots in the soil and soul of Mother Africa reach far and wide.
Creator of all, lead us to be true to our nature with respect and dignity for life, from conception to its natural end at death.
Bless and keep us in solidarity one to another.
Ache.

https://bit.ly/3p4jgz9

[Text in graphic reads "Come, let us embrace the mystery in the spirit of life, as we celebrate the goodness of Kwanzaa and the the African American heritage. Addae Ama Kraba" with an image of a kinara above the URL "https://bit.ly/3dZ9R5B".]



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We share this video reflection from UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and add our warm wishes to you all for a safe and peaceful new year.

"The days just before the new year dawns are some of my favorite in the entire year. From my home outside of Boston, the long, dark, beautiful nights are a balm to my soul, giving my heart time to reflect on all this past year has held. May these days be a time of rest and reflection for you, too.

I send you blessings that we may all know more love and more joy in the new year." ~ Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray

Watch and share from our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/kcq-wCmI1g8


As we mark this turning of the year, President Frederick-Gray offers a message of love and blessings that all may know more joy and more love in 2022.

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Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! We wish you an abundance of good fortune! May it be a good year. May it be a sweet year.



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As we emerge from 2021 into this new year, as Aaron Stockwell says "In this new year, let us be amazed. Let us search for new life and hope in our midst. "

Read more:https://bit.ly/32M0Uuk


In this new year, let us be amazed. Let us search for new life and hope in our midst. Let us nurture creativity in every form....

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The Rev Daniel Kanter, senior minister and chief executive of First Unitarian Church of Dallas, reminds us “While so many think all religious people are against abortion, that’s just not true”. “We are there to support those who have abortion, we believe God loves us all and we shouldn’t be silenced or shamed for the decisions we make about our bodies.”

Rev. Kanter is a plaintiff in the legal challenge to the Texas abortion ban, Senate Bill 8. The law, which went into effect on 1 September, has devastated reproductive health care in the second largest state in the US for four months.

Rev. Kanter and his congregation have hostile pushback but, they are not afraid and won't be backing down. We are all proud of the work Rev. Kanter and his congregation are doing. We're proud of the way Unitarian Universalists have shown up to support access to abortion services today and we are grateful for all who came before us in this fight for justice.

https://bit.ly/3FV3ehb


In the face of a draconian abortion ban in effect for more than three months, the mission has only grown stronger for a progressive congregation

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As UU's we honor the sacred worth and dignity of every person, we are committed to referring to all people using the language they themselves determine to be most appropriate. This includes using pronoun series we may not be familiar with yet. Today we offer you this fun fan video They/Them/Theirs (Worriers) to highlight the importance of the they/them/their pronouns.

https://bit.ly/3HEpADX


I love this song and had lots of fun creating this fan video! TY to Worriers for your permission to share. :) Worriers site: https://www.worriersmusic.comYou...

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On the anniversary of the Capitol insurrection, the UUA affirms, “​​As Unitarian Universalists, we hold democracy as a central principle for our faith. This is a time for true accountability and courageous action in pursuit of a more just, equitable, multiracial and pluralistic democracy.” We mark this anniversary by urging people to assess the danger and to advocate for urgent measures to protect democracy. It’s now apparent that leading our nation away from the abyss will depend on millions of people who lack official power to come forward and lead. As Unitarian Universalists, we will be among them.

https://bit.ly/3pY5uhU


The UUA marks the Jan 6 insurrection anniversary by urging people to assess the danger and to advocate for urgent measures to protect democracy.

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This coming month, as we all live through this omicron surge, may we have compassion for each other. Every sector of this country will struggle with not enough healthy staff, understaffed schools, exhausted teachers, burned-out health care workers, and short-staffed service workers. It's up to everyone to try to make the best decisions they can.

UUA Central East Region staff member, Erin Carvill Ziemer reminds us, “The only way out is through. We have to be willing to notice our feelings and tell our stories. We have to listen to each other’s stories. We have to tell the full complex story of how, when the systems that could have supported us all did not, we did the best we could even knowing it was never enough.” Learn more about how telling our personal stories with COVID can help us cope with living through this pandemic.

https://bit.ly/3q43FjB


As the omicron surge–tsunami–hits the United States I am grateful for the protection of vaccination and yet I am braced against less deadly impact.

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Our prayers are with Ahmaud Arbery's family and loved ones today as we learn that all three of his killers were sentenced to life in prison, and two without the chance for parole. As Arbery's mother, Wanda Cooper Jones, shared during the hearing, may we all remember the wonderful person Ahmaud was and the important role his tragic death has played in advancing civil rights in Georgia. While the sentences offer little justice, we hope the family finds some peace and sense of closure today. #BlackLivesMatter #JusticeForAhmaud

https://bbc.in/3HJKmlx


Three men who killed the black jogger given life sentences by judge who condemns "callous" murder.

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UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and Unitarian Universalists from across the country joined the Poor People's Campaign for a Moral Monday rally in DC on Dec. 13. Check out highlights from the speakers and interviews with participants in this video from UU World.

https://bit.ly/3qaUo9m


UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and Unitarian Universalists from across the country joined the Poor People's Campaign for a Moral Monday rally in DC ...

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In this UU World article, we are reminded of the pre-pandemic innocence of how we existed in each other’s presence. Author Christine Slocum shares with us the importance of embracing new understandings of how to be in right relationship to each other, even if we don’t like what we learn.

Read more: https://bit.ly/3zP3cVV


The safety I once perceived was because I did not have the complete perspective.

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We need a new theology of darkness—a new way to relate to the darkness, blackness, and brownness that surrounds us. To begin the dismantling of our racist language, we first need a new theology of darkness. Poetry can help us cultivate a different relationship with and to blackness and darkness. Darkness has almost always been considered negative. Relearning to appreciate the darkness takes intention and practice.

Read and learn more from Kristen Harper's article and the poem The Darkness Divine! Be sure to follow her exercises and questions for discussion when reading.

https://bit.ly/3FawdNm


We need a new theology of darkness—a new way to relate to the darkness, blackness, and brownness that surrounds us.

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UU Director of Lifespan Religious Exploration for the First Unitarian Church in Oklahoma City and former UUA Trustee Tim Atkins, has found it helpful to choose a word to guide him at the beginning of each year. When you think about your 2022, what word do you want your theme of the year to be? What word might you use as your centering lodestar for 2022?

https://bit.ly/3fjFY0p


What word might you use as your centering lodestar for 2022?

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In remembrance of Sidney Poitier, we recognize how the world of acting would have been markedly different without Poitier. He was the first Black actor to win an Oscar for Best Actor. Sidney Poitier who has passed at the age of 94., helped reshape the world to such a degree that his impact isn't even measurable.

Poitier's political risk-taking on behalf of freedom's cause represents a generational legacy that continues today. Black actors, celebrities, and entertainers who support the Black Lives Matter Movement, voting rights and racial justice — whether behind the scenes or in more vocal ways — owe a debt to Poitier and the work he did in front of the camera and when the Hollywood klieg lights were turned off.

https://cnn.it/3GlxZfl



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On Sunday, January 9th Michaela Jaé “Mj” Rodriguez, took home a Golden Globe for best actress in a TV drama for her role as housemother and nurse Blanca on the FX show “Pose.” It marks the first time in history a transgender actor has won a Golden Globe. Rodriguez made history for the first time last summer after becoming the first transgender performer to be nominated for a lead acting Emmy. Rodriguez did not end up winning that award.

Mj Rodriguez reminds us with a win like this,"This is the door that is going to open the door for many more young talented individuals. They will see that it is more than possible. They will see that a young Black Latina girl from Newark, New Jersey who had a dream, to change the minds others would With love. Love Wins."

As UU's we are proud to lean into trans resilience and support its blossoming. We're excited to celebrate this moment in history for trans people!

https://n.pr/3neoZB8


While Sunday night's Golden Globes were not televised, Rodriguez gave an acceptance speech on Instagram Live in which she thanked those who worked on the show and spoke of paving the way for others.

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A coalition of Georgia voting rights groups says President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris should have skipped traveling to Atlanta this past Tuesday unless they came with a concrete plan to pass federal voting laws immediately. The statement was signed by the Black Voters Matter Fund, the Asian American Advocacy Fund, the New Georgia Project Action Fund, James Woodall, former Georgia NAACP President, and the GALEO Impact Action Fund.

A visit without concrete action is an empty gesture. What we need the president, vice-president, and legislators to focus on is getting the Senate to take immediate action to pass federal legislation to protect the freedom to vote. It’s time for this administration to match its words with actions and respond to this current attack on democracy.

As Unitarian Universalists, our values hold that all people should have a voice and a vote in choosing their leaders and determining what is best for ourselves and our communities. Like we did with UU the Vote during the 2020 election, let’s leverage our collective power and urge our Senators to deliver on the Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Learn how you can continue to help at https://bit.ly/3Gto1IL.

https://bit.ly/3Gjk0a1


Georgia voting rights groups say President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris should not travel to Atlanta next week unless they have a concrete plan in place to pass federal election laws.

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Side with Love invites you to join their annual celebration of love, faith, and justice! This year, they will offer weekly opportunities for all ages to ground, grow, and act for justice together. Each week will focus on one of Side With Love's intersectional justice priorities.

Learn more and check out our resources and events calendar at https://bit.ly/3FsMVH6


30 Days of Love is our annual celebration that runs approximately from Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January through Valentine’s Day in February. It is an opportunity to collectively nurture our spirits, deepen our understanding, and take action on our values for collective liberation.

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The Unitarian Universalist Association is very pleased to announce the appointment of Shige Sakurai as Director of Equity, Belonging and Change, effective February 7, 2022.

Located in the Office of the President, the Director works closely with all senior UUA leaders to align efforts within the Association to create an anti-oppressive, fully inclusive faith community. The Director will be particularly focused on leading the UUA’s internal workplace Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) team.

Shige Sakurai (they/them) has over two decades of experience in equity, diversity, and inclusion work, and is a leader for intersectional social justice. They are Unitarian Universalists with atheist, Shinto, Buddhist, and Christian heritages, and involvement in Druidry. Welcome, Shige!

https://bit.ly/3K8I2Xo


"I view my role as a caretaker of an ecosystem."

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In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day this coming weekend, we share this article by Cornel West from the UU World archives, reprinted with permission from West’s introduction to the Beacon Press book “The Radical King.”

"Does America have the capacity to heed the radical Martin Luther King Jr., or must America sanitize King in order to evade and avoid his challenge?” Read more in UU World.

https://bit.ly/33Fb4xe


Does America have the capacity to heed the radical Martin Luther King Jr., or must America sanitize King in order to evade and avoid his challenge?

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UU World's new columnist, Jeff Milchen, reminds us we are in the final stretch of a long fight to pass voting rights legislation for this country and there's reason to be hopeful. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has promised a vote on key voting rights legislation by the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and President Biden is on record showing support for ending the filibuster.

Read Jeff's column for more analysis and highlights.
https://bit.ly/3Gujdmp


Voting rights bills being brought to a vote in the Senate.

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UU World magazine's new columnist, Jeff Milchen, reminds us that we are in the final stretch of a long fight to pass #votingrights legislation for this country and there's reason to be hopeful. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has promised a vote on key voting rights legislation by the #MLKDay2022 holiday and President Biden is on record showing support for ending that Jim Crow-era tool of minority rule, the filibuster.

Read Jeff's column for more analysis and perspective: https://bit.ly/3Gujdmp


Voting rights bills being brought to a vote in the Senate.

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In commemoration of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the ongoing fight for reproductive health, rights, and justice, join UU congregations across the country for a Sunday of solidarity, support, and reflection. Side with Love will be providing worship resources (readings, videos, liturgical frameworks) and suggestions for planning your own service in the coming weeks at their Worship Resource Hub.

https://bit.ly/3AifyG1


In commemoration of the anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the ongoing fight for reproductive health, rights, and justice, join UU congregations across the country for a Sunday of solidarity, support, and reflection. We will be providing worship resources (readings, videos, liturgical frameworks) and su...

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As the first month of the new year is coming to an end, it's important that we continue to incorporate the importance of unlearning in 2022. The process of unlearning is something everyone should work to embrace. Unlearning can be the beginning—or continuation—of a period of reclaiming and era to push yourself to continue to grow. As UU's let's work alone and together, to unlearn and reclaim, this year and beyond.

https://bit.ly/3GQRYTq


In order to unlearn systems of oppression we need to be challenged, comforted and have space to process....

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Every year Jews are the number one target of anti-religious hate crimes, yet there is general ignorance about anti-Semitism even among people of goodwill. That's part of why, as author Yair Rosenburg argues in this article from The Atlantic, anti-Semitism abides.

We appreciate Rosenburg’s analysis of understanding anti-Semitism. As a faith community, we express our solidarity with the Jewish community, including those within Unitarian Universalism, who are feeling especially vulnerable at this moment. We also join our voices with those of all faiths who are condemning both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

https://bit.ly/3tRFFSW


Unlike many other bigotries, anti-Semitism is not merely a social prejudice; it is a conspiracy theory about how the world operates.

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Unitarian Universalism has a long legacy of advocating for safe, legal, accessible abortion care for anyone who needs it. Unitarian Universalists were among the plaintiffs suing the state of Texas over SB8 in Whole Woman’s Health v. Jackson. Unitarian Universalist ministers and congregations were part of the Clergy Consultation Service, which supported people in accessing abortion care before Roe v. Wade. And from developing the most comprehensive sexuality education program in North America through Our Whole Lives, to regularly affirming our support for abortion access and care in resolutions from our General Assembly, dating back to 1962, we have been steadfast in showing up for reproductive justice.

And on this anniversary of #RoeVWade, we affirm that if we are to truly secure unfettered access to comprehensive reproductive healthcare, freedom, and autonomy for all people, we must focus not just on rights, but on analyzing systems of power, addressing intersecting oppressions, centering the most marginalized, and joining together across issues and identities.

#RoeAnniversary



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Moving beyond a post-Roe world means centering Black women: to trust them and fund their work, and for white-led reproductive rights groups to step back.

Imani Gandy interviews Laurie Bertram Roberts, executive director of the Yellowhammer Fund and reproductive justice advocate in Mississippi as they discuss the importance of the need for white-led reproductive rights organizations to take a step back. The work belongs to women in the shadows, like Laurie. They explain how the work black women diligently put together to get as many people abortion care as possible and organize against restrictive laws. Learn how helping Black women like Laurie pours into resources needed for grassroots efforts.

https://bit.ly/3FRgv9J



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A long-haul commitment to the work of collective liberation requires us to engage regularly in spiritual practice to feed our spirits. This year, Rev. Ali K.C. Bell is the 30 Days of Love Minister in Residence. Each week, Rev. Ali is curating several opportunities for all of us to reflect, slow down, and tap into joy.

This Monday and every Monday during 30 Days of Love, we invite you to start your week with reverence and reflection by taking a moment to light your own chalice and listen to these pastoral and prophetic words from an array of UU lay and clergy leaders.

https://bit.ly/3FsMVH6


30 Days of Love is our annual celebration that runs approximately from Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January through Valentine’s Day in February. It is an opportunity to collectively nurture our spirits, deepen our understanding, and take action on our values for collective liberation.

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Join people of faith around the country to learn and strategize. Sign up to attend the SACReD Gathering: Faith Communities Reclaiming Reproductive Dignity and Autonomy, January 25-26, 2022.

This event will be a first-of-its-kind virtual gathering of justice-oriented people of faith, activists, and leaders from the reproductive health, rights, and justice community. “Grounded in our shared values of justice, dignity, human rights, compassion, and expansive love, we will discover how faith and reproductive liberation are interdependent through keynotes, panel discussions, and breakout sessions.

https://bit.ly/3qWP75P


Join the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity (SACReD) January 25-26, 2022, for a first-of-its-kind virtual gathering of justice-oriented people of faith, activists, and leaders from the reproductive health, rights, and justice community.  Grounded in our shared values of just...

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Many things that are happening around the world right now are out of our immediate control. If you find yourself feeling helpless in the scheme of larger fights and issues, there are always smaller acts of change that you can tackle to make a difference.

Looking for ways to continue to be a part of change? Look to our latest issue of UU World, "Transforming Culture In Spiritual and Public Life" for inspiration to help create change in society.

https://bit.ly/3fXc6Ya


Secure Online Subscription Order Mail-in Print Subscription Form (pdf) Purchase additional copies of an issue Order Congregational Bulk Subscriptions Free for Members UU World is published twice a year in Spring and Fall.

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We have entered the second week of Side with Loves 30 Days of Love lamenting the immoral blocking of the Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Acts. It is disheartening to witness our elected leaders sided with vote suppression and against democracy. As a faith community committed to showing up for justice and for our communities, this will not stop us.

Week two focuses on Democracy and Voting Rights. This week’s offerings include multigenerational resources, healing meditations, political education, and collective action to support our community in our democracy and electoral work.

We invite you to take the time to nourish your spirit with this week’s worship offerings. Together we can care for one another and build resiliency to remain committed to showing up. The love that drives our work during and beyond these 30 Days is here to hold you and welcome you to take action as we move into midterm elections and UU the Vote 2022.

https://bit.ly/33XOVdI


We enter week two of 30 Days of Love lamenting the immoral blocking of the Freedom to Vote and John Lewis Voting Acts. It is disheartening to witness our elected leaders sided with vote suppression and against democracy. As a faith community committed to showing up for justice and for our communitie

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Join Side with Love for their Friday Songs of Joy: Embodied Practice: January 28 at 5pm PT/ 6pm MT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET.

This is a live time of connection, music, and joyful embodiment open to all! This 30-minute session will be offered each Friday of 30 Days of Love and will be hosted by 30 Days of Love Minister in Residence Rev. Ali K.C. Bell and co-facilitated by Rev. E.N. Hill.

Using song as a tool of spiritual engagement and embodied practice, participants will be invited to participate in:

Lectio divina (“sacred reading”) using song lyrics;

A short online dance party or embodied practice (keep your cameras on or off as you feel comfortable!); and

A chance to share joys, gratitudes, and blessings with one another

Attend one session, or all four! This is a participatory event.

Register at https://bit.ly/35jSMCh



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For decades, we have been preaching the message of how inequality and injustice are pervasive in our Unitarian Universalist systems and institutions. We do not talk enough about the fact that every person’s privilege is tied to our corrupted system of capitalism.

It’s important that we keep talking about the ways that capitalism and white supremacy are connected to privilege and how we as UUs can take action to change these systems.

https://bit.ly/3ATFQ1X



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"Biden can't be the climate leader he claims to be when he is actively conducting major lease sales and lobbying oil states to produce more fossil fuels."

https://bit.ly/3s1Qe3z


"Biden can't be the climate leader he claims to be when he is actively conducting major lease sales and lobbying oil states to produce more fossil fuels."

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Black History Month is as much about rediscovery as it is about celebration and commemoration. This month is in opportunity to get to know long-forgotten or hidden historical figures, unearth information previously unknown about prominent Black leaders, and get closer to the struggles and triumphs of Black ancestors.

In solidarity with #BlackLivesMatter and other movements that compel us to evaluate our country’s progress in racial justice, it’s important to get reacquainted with the work of Black forerunners—and their history—so we can better imagine how we will move this country forward.

Tune in these next 28 days as we lift up Black voices and celebrate the Black community. We'll also seek ways to broaden the conversation and explore how we can honor the legacy of all who have strived for freedom and justice all year around.



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Jeffrey Cohen, one of the hostages held for 11 hours in the unsettling attack on Congregation Beth Israel last month, reminds us that we all have a role to play in working to end hate:

“These little throwaway lines, you know, ‘Ach, damn Jew bankers,’” Cohen told Jewish Insider. “Those lines... are not acceptable because these words have consequences, and the consequences that they have is they allow people to dehumanize other people... We’ve got to start challenging hate speech even when it’s ‘minor,’ with quotes around that word.”

https://bit.ly/3sbyxhZ


Jeffrey Cohen was one of four hostages held for 11 hours inside a Texas synagogue.

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We echo UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray 's message "I am holding all of the students, faculty, staff, and their families impacted by these terrible bomb threats in my prayers. And we know that these are not isolated incidents - they are part of widespread racialized attacks fueled by hate speech, racist tropes, and the expanding attack against Black and BIPOC communities on many fronts, from voting rights to the teaching of history. "

"As much as I am saddened to learn of these events, I am deeply moved and inspired to read so many messages of courage and resilience from Black and BIPOC groups across the internet. Let's continue to uplift the beauty, history and power of the Black community throughout this #BlackHistoryMonth."


A growing number of historically black colleges and universities have had to lock down or postpone classes due to bomb threats on the first day of Black History Month.

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In President Susan Frederick-Gray's most recent UU World column, she call us to readiness for the rapid, dramatic change that is needed if we are all to live and thrive together, with dignity and equity.

https://bit.ly/3o8vE01



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The UUA has always denounced the inherent violence of policing. Our country is facing a time of increased visibility of violence by police. Police brutality is a symptom of white supremacy and anti-Black racism, and as people of faith and conscience dedicated to justice and liberation, we must name this truth.

Mapping Police Violence collected data on over 1,100 killings by police in 2021. This report represents the most comprehensive public accounting of deadly police violence in 2021. The analysis suggests the majority of killings by police in 2021 could have been prevented.

Scroll through the report findings here: https://bit.ly/3J7il8t


Comprehensive review of killings by police in 2021.

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Join Side With Love for this conversation with Sheila Nezhad and Jonathan Stegall of Reclaim the Block and Yes4Minneapolis as they reflect on long-term cultural organizing, building strategic values-based campaigns, abolitionist dreams of a world without police, and the possibilities that lie ahead. Hosted by Rev. Ashley Horan.

In the wake of George Floyd's murder in 2020, organizers in Minneapolis built on years of cultural change work and strategic organizing to propose an amendment to the city charter that would have made it possible to disband the Minneapolis Police Department and create a new Department of Public Safety. While this groundbreaking initiative did not pass in 2021, it put abolition and true community safety squarely in the national conversation and paved the way for future organizing in Minneapolis and across the country.

https://bit.ly/3GqIIo4



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The Minneapolis Police Department murdered another Black man yesterday. We send our love and witness to the family of Amir Locke, and the community in Minneapolis that is yet again called to respond to the violence and brutality of policing.
However you are responding to this latest horror, you are beloved and held in community.

We invite you to join Side with Love tonight for a re-imagined live embodied practice tonight with Rev. Ali KC Bell and E.N. Hill, "Friday Songs of Grief, Anger, & Healing." They will make space for the range of feelings and experiences we are holding, and gently invite our gathered group into practices to support moving these intense emotions through our bodies and our hearts. Register at https://bit.ly/3GxviGB.



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One of the most powerful lies of white supremacy, capitalism, and colonialism is the notion that jails and police make us safer.

Our UU theology calls us to work for the liberation of all people - none of us are truly free until we are all free. The UUA invites you to explore this call by joining together to read and reflect on "Defund Fear" by Zach Norris, which has been selected as the UUA's newest Common Read.

https://bit.ly/3J4oQbO


"Defund Fear" by Zach Norris is the new UUA Common Read.

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Today, February 7th we rally together for National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day #NBHAAD, observed annually on this date to increase awareness, spark conversations, highlight the work to reduce HIV in Black or African American communities in the United States, and show support for people who are living and thriving with HIV in these communities.

Pastor Sande Bailey-Gwinn, a member of the U.S. HIV & AIDS Faith Coalition and Founder of Foundations for Living shares "As we observe National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, let us continue to shed light on the importance of education, encouragement, and inspiration as we continue the fight to eradicate HIV/AIDS throughout the world. Let us commit to creating more spaces for conversations and testing opportunities so that lives can be healed from stigma in our communities. And on February 8, we can ALL say, Say it Loud - I’m Black and I’m Proud."

https://bit.ly/36svYhB



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Buddhist monk, peace activist, poet, writer, and teacher Thích Nhất Hanh promoted nonviolence, mindfulness, and compassion throughout the world.

We honor his recent passing with this interview, in which Hahn shares his wisdom on the importance of meditation and mindfulness.

We hold our UU Buddhist community in love and light.

https://bit.ly/3uvOjHf


We humans have lost the wisdom of genuinely resting. In an interview with Marianne Schnall the master explained how meditation can help us.

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Throughout this last week of 30 Days of Love, we encourage you to listen, learn, reflect, and take actions through the lens of climate justice to shape a more just and equitable future for all.

https://bit.ly/3gB1bne


All Ages: Plant something. You can plant a tree outdoors or started a potted plant inside. What can you plant that will yield food you can eat?

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Today we are resharing this important article which includes an interview with BLUU Exec Director Lena K Gardner. She discusses the historic and ongoing erasure of Black Women's work and their complex identities in movement spaces.

https://strib.mn/3JlIu3w


Throughout the history of the movement for equality, Black women have been denied the recognition they've deserved.

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We know that corporate wealth and influence corrupts our democracy. We're really appreciating the way UU World columnist Jeff Milchen calls out corruption at the heart of today's most pressing issues, like in this column on the filibuster.

Read more at: https://bit.ly/3JgZnMy.







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Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth and Side with Love are excited to co-sponsor a winter concert fundraiser for Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth! Emma's Revolution is a dynamic band described by the New York Times as "fervent and heartfelt." Join us to pause for excellent music, a conversation about music for justice during this moment, and to be galvanized for the work ahead! Registration required.

https://bit.ly/3uK4BMU


Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth and Side with Love are excited to co-sponsor a winter concert fundraiser to sustain the justice ministries of Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth! Emma's Revolution music is praised by the New York Times as "fervent and heartfelt" - we're excited to sh...

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As local infection rates trend downward, and people start including the word “endemic” in conversations, the yearning to get “back to normal” becomes stronger.

Many of our people hope to be back in the sanctuary with live music, the blending of voices during the hymns, and our friends surrounding us. This hope reminds us that in person worship is vital and life-giving. However, this is a time to stay centered in the values of inclusion, consent, going slow and being flexible.

It’s important to remember how online ministry has been a blessing for many in our faith communities. Just as in-person worship is vital and life-giving for some, for others online and multi-platform worship provide a lifeline.

The UUA remains committed to supporting congregational practices that are as inclusive as possible and we remain committed to supporting online and multi-platform strategies to achieve this goal.

https://bit.ly/3szUmrH


As religious leaders, part of our work is to help our communities hold the tensions between different needs in the congregation, especially around worship.

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Happy Valentine's Day! This Valentine's Day (and every day), be the love you wish to see in the world. Let's celebrate the love of self, love of others, and love of all that is.



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This week's Braver Wiser message comes from JeKaren Olaoya.

"It is so easy to throw up a shield of protection in the form of doubt, but that doesn’t lead to growth or connection. Help us to realize that being vulnerable is a gift. We don’t have to doubt the worth of others nor ourselves when we are reflected out in the world."

Read it in full and subscribe to Braver/Wiser:https://bit.ly/3oMqck3


I affirm that I am worthy of being good enough to touch hearts and souls, and connect others to Spirit.

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An important part of being in a community of faith is taking seriously our need make space in our daily lives to care for others and to be cared for ourselves. Here's your reminder to prioritize compassion and self-care as we all process the many layers of stress and trauma we've been experiencing in these last two years of this pandemic. We can all do something to connect in care with those around us. What will you do?



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Stories touch hearts, open minds, and transform our understanding of the “other”—as well as our comprehension of own roles and responsibilities. A Land With a People is a book of stories, photographs and poetry which elevates rarely heard Palestinian and Jewish voices and visions. It brings us the narratives of secular, Muslim, Christian, and queer Palestinians who endure the particular brand of settler colonialism known as Zionism.

https://bit.ly/3gTcWpc



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From Side with Love – “Our Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech and assembly, and criminalizing protest is a threat to democracy.”

https://bit.ly/354KSwH


On September 14, we hosted “From #NoDAPL to #StopLine3: Water Protectors, Movement Building and Solidarity,” featuring a conversation with Michael “Rattler” Markus and the Rev. Karen Van Fossan.

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People of all ages, and many beliefs, are longing for ways of understanding that can provide them support in these stormy times. The uniqueness of Unitarian Universalism’s non-creedal tradition creates a force more powerful than one person or one belief system. Our joint journey together honors everywhere we’ve been before and our diverse and inclusive beliefs.

Rev. Zenshin Florence Caplow isn’t half Buddhist and half Unitarian Universalist — she’s completely both. Learn how Rev. Caplow explains the uniqueness of her transrelgious identity.

https://bit.ly/3oZLCtV


Rev. Zenshin Florence Caplow isn't half Buddhist and half Unitarian Universalist — she's completely both.

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The stories of black history hold a powerful truth. These stories are alive and playing out today. Seeing the connections between the past and the present gives us the context that enriches our history. In the spirit of celebrating Black history, we’re offering the following list of recommended reading that offers diverse voices and perspectives on a range of topics.









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Today would have been Toni Morrison's 91st birthday.

Morrison wrote for all Black audiences and touched the whole world at the same time. She was an embodiment of Black excellence. Because of this, we can love her and her genius as stewards with integrity. She, like so many Black women, gave so much to this world. Toni Morrison put Black life into prose that will endure.

Happy Birthday Toni Morrison.

https://bit.ly/3sUk76p


Author and activist Charlene Carruthers pens a eulogy for one of the greatest minds of our generation.

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Not too long ago, in 2014, our General Assembly theme was “Love Reaches Out.” Workshops included visionary topics such as “Deepening Online Engagement,” “Updating Your Web Presence,” and “Making and Sharing Videos.” But old, comfortable ways of doing church are hard to change…until you have to change.

One of the silver linings in the dark cloud of the pandemic is that love has been reaching out, in ways we couldn’t have imagined back in 2014—or even 2019.

Since 2020 there have been so many moments of radical inclusion, connection, and creativity, we offer you litany for all these moments these past two years.

Read more at:https://www.uua.org/leaderlab/online-litany


Online moments of radical inclusion, connection, and creativity shared as a litany.

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We need YOU and YOUR leadership!

Do you want to help make real and concrete changes to our Unitarian Universalist Association? The UUA Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for our denominational committees elected by the General Assembly. We need you to join this work!

We are seeking nominations for all of our elected committees: Board of Trustees, Board of Review, Nominating Committee, General Assembly Planning Committee, Commission on Appraisal, Commission on Social Witness, and Financial Advisor.

To learn more and to apply, head over to https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/volunteer.

We are asking applications to be in by February 27th.
Have any questions about serving? Reach out to the nominating committee at nominating@uua.org


Volunteer for a UUA committee, commission, or board and help us carry out the mission of the Association.

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Respecting the interdependent web of our existence on earth is a principle we must strive to fulfill as conscious human beings. Transportation generates 29 percent of all U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, meaning any serious work to mitigate harm from global warming requires changing how we move people and goods.

Our individual choices as consumers matter. But only through our actions as citizens can we drive change on the scale our climate crisis demands. Learn more about UUA climate justice work and resources. Jeff welcomes your criticism, questions, and commentary. Tweet @JMilchen.

https://bit.ly/3h91w0G



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In order to prepare for a new and different way of doing the business of GA this year, the Board will lead several different webinars. Each one will be 75 minutes in length, and a recording of each will be posted on this page at a later date. Pre-registration is required for all.

At this year’s multiplatform General Assembly (GA), we will explore the power, possibility, purpose, struggle, and joy of meeting the moment as Unitarian Universalists. Whether you're a first-time delegate or a long-time attendee, we invite you to join us to learn more about what will happen at GA this year.

Find a date that works best for your schedule. https://bit.ly/3s7Zkgb


Register to join one or more of the upcoming GA 2022 prep webinars let by members of the UUA Board.

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We join in solidarity with so many around the world and pray for the people of Ukraine. Our hearts go out to those who are enduring devastating loss of life, violence, instability, and upheaval due to Russia’s invasion by land, air, and sea.

Our UU faith calls us to remain deeply committed to justice and we believe we have a moral responsibility to support the creation of peace and the equal rights of all people. Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine is a stark reminder that human rights are fundamentally linked to our interdependence.

A recent UU World blog post by Bruce Knotts, director of the Unitarian Universalist Office at the United Nations, expresses how UUs have long been at the center of this struggle on the global stage and were an integral part of the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. The essential message of the Declaration recognizes the closely held UU value of the inherent worth and dignity of all people.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/3t8ztUD



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There is pain and outrage in our hearts because of Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s offensive equating of the medical care of trans youth with child abuse. He has directed state agencies to conduct investigations into gender-affirming care for transgender children. Gov. Abbott is weaponizing the basic right of medical care for trans youth and their families. He is seeking to criminalize the healthcare support they may receive from their community and allies. And he is part of setting a dangerous precedent for other states to target trans children and their caregivers.

Gov. Abbot’s direction will only spread fear and misinformation. A parent or guardian who is taking their child to a health care provider to offer gender-affirming care is providing love and support.

Gender-affirming care recognizes that every life is sacred and supports the well-being of trans youth. Implementing unsafe standards in communities is harmful to trans and non-binary youth and encourages prejudice and violence. Now is the time to express our solidarity with those experiencing the cruel impacts of the irresponsible action of Gov. Abbott. Trans, non-binary, and gender non-conforming children in Texas and beyond deserve better.

As Unitarian Universalists, let us come together in solidarity at this critical moment in unequivocal support for trans children. To our trans family: we uplift and support all the trans and non-binary people in our lives, our congregations, and communities. You are not alone. We hold trans children and their families--in Texas and in the world--in deep care.

https://nbcnews.to/3vk3SCe


Gov. Greg Abbott said those who fail to report instances of minors receiving gender-affirming medical care could face “criminal penalties.”

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As the coronavirus moves from a furious boil to a gentle simmer, many immunocompromised people (like everyone else) hope to slowly expand their life again but that depends on the accommodations society is willing to make.

So while most people will never be as vulnerable as some people, respecting the needs of immunocompromised people isn’t about disproportionately accommodating some tiny minority; it’s really about empathizing with your future self. “Illness happens to everyone eventually. Don’t you want a better world for yourself when that time comes?

https://bit.ly/3C5bXfH


What does society owe immunocompromised people?

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Two important cases were decided this week that achieved some small degree of accountability for the unjust, outrageous murders of two Black men. Three men who were earlier convicted of killing Ahmaud Arbery in state court were found guilty of federal hate crimes. Additionally, three former Minneapolis police officers involved in the murder of George Floyd were convicted in federal court of depriving him of his civil rights.

We are now in a time of national reckoning. This is some measure of accountability but not true justice. True justice would be for Ahmaud Arbery and George Floyd to be alive today. We hold their memory and their families in deep care. Our Unitarian Universalist faith compels us to speak the names of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery in remembrance of their lives and recognize every Black person who has been harassed, assaulted, or murdered by police.

We must continue to work in solidarity with the Black leaders and organizers who have long been fighting for justice. #justiceforgeorgefloyd #blacklivesmatter

https://cnn.it/35vBHWg


Former Minneapolis police officers Tou Thao, J. Alexander Kueng and Thomas Lane were found guilty of violating George Floyd's civil rights by a federal jury in St. Paul, Minnesota, on Thursday.

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President Joe Biden has selected Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to be the first Black woman to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court. In doing so, he has set in motion a historic confirmation process for the highest court in the nation.

Ketanji Brown Jackson is a Harvard Law School graduate and her labor-friendly rulings as a judge have drawn wide praise. President Biden was impressed by her expertise and life story, including her rise from federal public defender to federal appellate judge and her upbringing as the daughter of two public school administrators. Her mother was a public school principal and her father became a public school attorney.

President Biden sought a candidate with exceptional credentials, unimpeachable character, and unwavering dedication to the rule of law. As UUs, we are so proud and joyful about this historic nomination. We celebrate the choice President Biden has made.

https://cnn.it/3Kcd5Rx


President Joe Biden nominated Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court on Friday, setting in motion a historic confirmation process for the first Black woman to sit on the highest court in the nation.

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Our hearts are heavy on this 10th anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s death. The killing of baby-faced Trayvon, an unarmed youth at the hands of a stranger, still reverberates 10 years later -- in protest, in racial reckoning, and in social justice.

10 years ago today, George Zimmerman fatally shot Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American high schooler in Sanford, Florida. Trayvon was walking home in a gated community from a store after purchasing an Arizona Ice Tea and Skittles candy.

The moment of Trayvon Martin’s death opened the eyes of many. And although the aftermath of his death profoundly impacted the country, it only preceded more unjust killings of Black people, in the familiar march of American history. This tragedy would also come to inspire the creation of the Black Lives Matter movement.

In this week alone, we commemorate Trayvon Martin, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd—and we also remember and hold close their families, who will grieve their loss for the rest of their lives.

These men were killed in a society that criminalizes Black skin. We are still living in a country with a legacy of slavery that does not fully recognize the humanity of Black people. Our Unitarian Universalist faith demands that we continue to address systemic racism. We lift up and honor the beautiful humanity of Trayvon Martin and the dignity of his life.

#RestInPowerTrayvonMartin



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We are in strong solidarity with our partners at the international human rights organization, The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, in condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Our belief as UUs in the inherent worth and dignity of all people and our commitment to building a world community of peace, liberty and justice for all, calls us to uplift the ways that this violence only worsens the global refugee crisis and undermines the human rights of the Ukrainian people. We echo the Service Committee when they affirm,

"As human rights advocates based in the United States condemning this latest escalation of the conflict, we hope this moment might also serve as an opportunity for all of us and our leaders to reflect on our own history of similar acts of aggression and militarism... All-powerful states must be held accountable to the principles of human rights."

Read their full statement and find links to take further action at https://bit.ly/3M8XQKN.


Putin's aggression will certainly lead to human rights violations.

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Today we grieve for disabled people who have been murdered by the same people who should have loved and supported them: their family members. Author Jessi Sadaka, reminds us "Disabled people shouldn't need luck to survive ableism. Let us build a future where honoring the Disability Day of Mourning means acknowledging historical loss rather than ongoing trauma. To get there, may we transform how we treat the living, while we mourn our beloved dead. To my fellow disabled people, always remember: The things we are capable of doing are worthy. And the value in each of us is inherent, sacred, and forever. Amen."

https://bit.ly/342KePU


Today we grieve for disabled people who have been murdered by the same people who should have loved and supported them: their family members.

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There is pain and outrage in our hearts because Texas Governor Greg Abbott has escalated the attacks on transgender people living in his state, especially trans youth, by equating medical care with child abuse. Governor Abbott is weaponizing this basic right of care for trans youth and their families.

As Unitarian Universalists, let us come together in solidarity at this critical moment in unequivocal support for trans children. We will continue to work unceasingly to create inclusive religious communities and for LGBTQIA+ justice and equity as a fundamental part of our faith tradition.

To our trans family: we uplift and support all the trans and non-binary people in our lives, our congregations, and communities. You are not alone. We hold trans children and their families—in Texas and in the world—in deep care.

For more resources, please visit Resources for Transgender Youth in Texas.

https://bit.ly/35iSkEX


There is pain and outrage in our hearts because Texas Governor Greg Abbott has escalated the attacks on transgender people living in his state.

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Are you participating in Lent this year? In this Braver Wiser message, Author Nathan Ryan shares an experience he has had with Lent. “I’m prone to think of my Lenten practice as a failure: I didn’t pick something rigorous enough to help me grapple with the realities of my own mortality and the temporary nature of all of existence. Then again, maybe transformation shouldn't be measured in forty-day increments.”

For those who practice, we hope this season of Lent is a meaningful one for you - with or without transformation.

Learn more about Nathan Ryan’s experience here:
https://bit.ly/36WXd70


Last year for Lent, I decided to say yes to any request. I made it all the way to Easter without having to honor my decision.

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Lifting up and echoing this message of love from the Rev. Erin Walter and the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry:

To trans UUs and parents, caregivers, and families of trans kids: You are deeply loved. [Attorney General] Paxton and [Governor] Abbott do NOT speak for your communities of faith. Your clergy are NOT required to report gender-affirming care, nor would we. We pray you are tending to your needs and doing what gives you joy right now. Please reach out to your local clergy or church care teams for support, or contact TXUUJM@gmail.com and let us know how your state justice ministry can support you. We pledge to do everything we can.

TrustTexasFamilies #TransPeopleAreDivine


Updates from the Texas UU Justice Ministry, in Support of Trans Texans and Their Families


Dear Texas UUs and justice seeking friends,


Trans people embody the inherent worth and dignity that is a pillar of our Unitarian Universalist faith. At the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry, our hearts are with trans kids, their families and caregivers, and all trans and nonbinary people. We love you fiercely, and will forever fight for your rights and honor the beautiful ways you are you.


As has been reported, Attorney General Ken Paxton and Governor Greg Abbott are threatening to remove trans-children from their homes if parents seek gender-affirming care, prosecute their parents for child abuse, and prosecute mandatory reporters — including clergy — for failing to report this “child abuse.”

These threats are abhorrent, unconscionable, and immoral, and Paxton and Abbott's fear-mongering poses real danger to the health and safety of trans Texans. However, we also want to send legal and spiritual reassurance from TXUUJM partners, ministers, and friends (below).

To trans UUs and parents, caregivers, and families of trans kids: You are deeply loved. Paxton and Abbott do NOT speak for your communities of faith. Your clergy are NOT required to report gender-affirming care, nor would we. We pray you are tending to your needs and doing what gives you joy right now. Please reach out to your local clergy or church care teams for support, or contact TXUUJM@gmail.com and let us know how your state justice ministry can support you. We pledge to do everything we can.

In faith,

– Rev. Erin Walter, Minister & Executive Director, Texas UU Justice Ministry

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Many people who complain about “voter fraud” clearly want to ensure the tiny number of cases continue, lest they lose their excuse for continuing voter suppression and election sabotage.

Here's the evidence! https://bit.ly/3v0b1r6

https://bit.ly/3IF79A7


Voter registration rolls in America are often out-of-date and complicated to maintain because millions of Americans move, die, or change their names each yea...

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This week, we were reminded once again that the damage that climate change will bring will devastate neighborhoods and disrupt lives around the world, especially BIPOC communities and developing nations. According to a New York Times summary of the latest International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, extreme weather events killed 15 times as many people in highly vulnerable countries, including those in Africa and Asia, than in wealthier nations. .

Unitarian Universalism's 7th Principle calls us to acknowledge and protect the interdependent web of existence of which we are all a part. As people of faith, we accept our responsibility to act on our commitment to environmental justice.

Review the latest IPCC report here:
https://bit.ly/35AHDgy


Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Working Group II contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report

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For those looking for ways to support folks impacted by the war in #Ukraine, we share this blog post from the @UUAInternationalOffice, which includes links to support the Hungarian Unitarian Church as well as the @UnitarianUniversalistServiceCommittee. You'll also find more information on Russia's actions in the UN Security Council in a UU World from the director of our UU United Nations office, Bruce Knotts.

https://bit.ly/3HHPZAq


As the situation in the Ukraine unfolds, we in the International Office echo the messages shared by UUSC’s president the Rev. Mary Katherine Morn and by...

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These activists are each making unique and powerful contributions to our world and they are lifting up other women, too. How are you celebrating Women's History Month?

https://bit.ly/3hCT7mq


We reach out to five activists to learn how they're celebrating Women's History Month and share their advice on how to celebrate women every day.

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Yesterday a Kentucky jury cleared a former police officer of charges that he endangered neighbors when he fired shots into an apartment during the 2020 drug raid that ended with Breonna Taylor’s death.

This news is both heartbreaking and heartbreakingly unsurprising. The UUA affirms our solidarity with all of our Black siblings and kin, with communities across the globe who are rising up. As Unitarian Universalists, we must commit yet again to acting alongside all who are working to bring about a world in which Black lives, bodies, and communities are treated with reverence and respect.

#BlackLivesMatter #SayHerName

https://bit.ly/3KzyZOP


LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — A former Kentucky police officer was found not guilty Thursday on charges he endangered neighbors the night he fired into Breonna Taylor's apartment during a botched drug raid that resulted in Taylor's death.

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March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the incredible and often overlooked contributions women have made throughout history. Many Unitarian, Universalist, and Unitarian Universalist (UU) women have not only shaped and led the UU faith, but they’ve also left an undeniable impact on history in general. Learn about these ten influential women who changed the world for the better. Don’t see your favorite UU woman in history? Comment below their name below.

https://bit.ly/3hMkcDO


March is Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the incredible and often overlooked contributions women have made throughout history. Many...

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In response to the outpouring of concern, we're sharing the most up to date information we have on how UUs in the United States and around the world are responding to the humanitarian crisis in #Ukraine and to amplify the ways that we can all help.


We continue to hold in our hearts the people of Ukraine and all of those around the world who are suffering because of war and injustice.

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We are so grateful for all the women leaders—especially the BIPOC women, trans women, women with disabilities and poor women—who have been leading change throughout history and today. And we remain ever grateful for the leadership of our President, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray.

#InternationalWomensDay



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Please save the date and join The U.S. HIV & AIDS Faith Coalition on a HIV & Faith conversation on Women, Girls and HIV. This Wednesday, March 9th 2022 at 2 pm EST. The HIV & AIDS Faith Coalition is proud to partner with the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Conference.



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