Beloved, 

Are you tired? I am. Are you mad as hell? Me too. Are you figuring out how to get out of bed, go to work, and carry on while day after day you are stunned by the cruelty of our leaders and our laws? If I am honest, I too have chosen a nap instead of a meeting. I have reached out to connect with friends, instead of taking every action that falls into my inbox. 

And that’s ok. We are a movement, not a machine. Caring for ourselves, our communities, and our spirits are essential to sustaining our movements. 

Our work is as complex as our movements. But there is nothing complicated about injustice. We are clear that Christian nationalism, white supremacy, and extractive capitalism are the forces that threaten our democracy, our bodily autonomy, our climate, and our lives. 

The truth is, we know that we as individuals and our communities are impacted differently. But, I believe James Baldwin when he wrote, “if they take you in the morning, they will be coming for us that night.” If we have learned anything from this decades-long campaign of right-wing authoritarianism, let us learn that when power and profit are the singular goal, no person, no community is safe. Privilege is a thin and flimsy shield. Solidarity and collective struggle is the moral choice that we must make if we are to dismantle these systems of oppression and create the beloved community that we seek. 

Beloveds, we must be in this work together. 

So I offer you this; a place to come when you are ready to take action, when you are fired with righteous rage or heavy grief, and when you are yearning for understanding about what this means and how we move through. Your community is here. Together, we learn, act, and grow our spirits and our movements toward justice, equity, and liberation. 

Here’s what I will be doing to take care and take action.  

• Join us for music, grounding and connection at Write to Vote. Come dance, sing, and listen with Emma’s Revolution and Vote Forward. We’ll have time to connect with one another, write letters to voters, and learn how each of us are taking shifts to UU to Vote in the midterm election. Bring a friend. Bring a neighbor. And bring your pen. Monday, May 9, 6:30pm ET/3:30pm PT

• Join us at our Fun and Spiritual Nourishment Squad training. Come together to learn ways we care for our communities and fill our cups on the long journey for justice. Our volunteers host spiritual gatherings and integrate practices of care and grounding in our national event. Wednesday, May 11, 7:30pm ET/4:30pm PT

• Join us for Heart to Heart Abortion Conversations and Action for a post-Roe World with our partners National Network of Abortion Fund. As the Supreme Court looks likely to overturn or critically undermine Roe v. Wade, it seems more and more likely that access to safe and legal abortions will be even further diminished everywhere. This 90-minute event will be a learning and practice space for supporters to engage with the Heart-to-Heart campaign materials in community and interact with NNAF and other participants in compassionate abortion conversations. May, 17, 7:00pm ET/4:00pm PT

• Join us for Fostering Local Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care. Rachel Myslivy, Side With Love Climate Justice Organizer as well as UU leaders such as Rev. Karen Hutt, Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry; Halcyon Westall with the UUA Disaster Relief Fund and Faithify; and Rev. Cynthia Cain. From wildfires to floods, climate disasters impact our communities. How do we cultivate community care in response to climate disasters? With this event, we hope to better understand the threats to your community and the resources available to help UUs show up for their communities. Thursday, May 19 at 6pm ET/ 3pm PT.

In faith and solidarity,

Nicole Pressley 

Field and Programs Director

Can We Transform a Gruesome Milestone Into a Positive Turning Point?

By Jeff Milchen

As we approach the dismal milestone of one million people killed by COVID in the U.S., I’m reminded of words originally penned by German writer Kurt Tucholsky, “The death of one man: this is a catastrophe. Hundreds of thousands of deaths: that is a statistic!”

Our hearts simply cannot absorb the enormity of the loss of so many dead.

Statistics alone lack power to inspire the empathy, consideration, inclusion, and—above all—policy shifts we desperately need to protect our most vulnerable citizens. So how can we prevent such overwhelming numbers from demoralizing us and instead reach people in ways that inspire work to build the more equitable and compassionate system our Unitarian Universalist faith demands?

We’re at a crucial moment, as recent changes trend even further toward extreme individualism in lieu of compassion and community. In April, a federal judge declared the Center for Disease Control (CDC) lacked authority to control disease via mask mandates, so it’s now often a personal choice whether we protect ourselves and others around us. Whatever our personal risk comfort level may be, let’s set an example of defending vulnerable people who can’t ignore COVID’s deadly threat and advocate policies that defend them.

Media reports on the mask ruling focused overwhelmingly on airline passengers and industry personnel. Yet ridership on buses, trains, and subways exceeds air travel tenfold. And millions of people who might never board a plane rely on public transit to get to work, school, and obtain (or provide) essential goods and services. 

While some mass transit systems employed federal relief funds through the CARES Act to install air filtration systems, an operable window is the best hope for many bus and subway commuters. Those passengers skew toward low-income, disabled, and people of color, and often have no alternative means for essential travel. They include many of the 7 million Americans who are immunocompromised at moderate to severe levels.

Many immunocompromised people go unrecognized by people around them because they don’t appear sick and choose increased risk rather than publicizing their vulnerability or secluding themselves. Yet their lives are endangered by COVID as protective measures are weakened.

Many immunocompromised people aren’t recognized as such by friends and acquaintances because they don’t appear sick and choose increased risk rather than seclusion. Yet their lives are at risk from COVID as protective measures are weakened.

About 13 percent of adult Americans are diabetic, but they comprise 30 to 40 percent of all COVID deaths. Numerous factors contribute to diabetes rates for Blacks, Latinos, and the poor greatly exceeding rates among white and non-poor individuals. And by almost any measure, health outcomes for people of color in the U.S. are worse than those for white people. Those disparities persist across socioeconomic status, education, and geography. 

The COVID pandemic amplifies multiple existing inequities, from historic redlining that segregated people into neighborhoods that lack clean air and access to healthy food, to people in marginalized communities more often lacking health insurance and experiencing inferior treatment by health care professionals.

Suspending public safety precautions also will worsen existing inequities of race, health and wealth. The poorest U.S. counties suffered 4.5 times more deaths than the wealthiest during the worst COVID waves. 

Many precautionary actions by governments and businesses early in the pandemic inspired a combination of hope and frustration among the immunocompromised. Masking requirements, physical barriers to protect workers, and opportunities for many more people to work from home all inspired hope that society might evolve to accommodate their disabilities. 

At the same time, countless people who’d been denied the opportunity to compete for jobs based on their need to work remotely were frustrated by the sudden shift, as corporations recognized remote work is totally viable. As disability activist Imani Barbarin says, “now that a pandemic has forced nondisabled workers to isolate, accessibility is everywhere.” How can we ensure these gains for vulnerable people endure?

So can we use the milestone of one million deaths to drive positive change? If the current situation feels dispiriting, consider the progress won by folks with more visible physical disabilities in recent decades. Organizers steadily shifted public perception of disabilities from an individual problem into binding societal commitments that accommodate people of all abilities. That progress was rooted in cultural shifts advancing the first Unitarian Universalist principle: the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

Since immune system vulnerabilities are rarely visible, we all can help increase the awareness and empathy that must precede substantive change by speaking out to support measures defending and protecting the more vulnerable among us. As we advocate for immediate measures within our sphere of influence, like enabling remote work or participation in events, masking, and physical distancing, let’s also imagine the trail we need to blaze to health equity.

Just as investing in greater equity for folks with physical disabilities yields a bounty of benefits to everyone, designing for people with health vulnerabilities via reforms like improved building ventilation, paid sick days, and ultimately, universal health care, will improve the quality of life for all of us.

The Washington State Education Ombuds office compiled a fine collection of COVID-19 and Disability Justice Resources (pdf). Jeff Milchen is the UUA Justice Communications Associate and a Side With Love team member.

On Saturday, an 18-year-old white supremacist carried out a premeditated fatal attack on a Black community in Buffalo, killing ten and injuring many more. Today, we mourn the ten unique and precious lives of the people murdered in Buffalo – church elders, civil rights activists, grandmothers, parents of small children. We grieve with this community as they reel from this violence and collective trauma.

Tops supermarket is more than a grocery store – it is a space that the community created to meet essential needs. The shooter’s plan was specifically designed to target the beating heart of the Black community, taking aim at a nexus of community care, resources, and resiliency. This is the essence of white supremacist ideology – the elimination of not only BIPOC people as individuals, but entire communities and cultures.

Given the persistent white supremacist attacks in our nation’s history, it is dishonest and irresponsible to call these “isolated incidents.” We will not cause further harm by calling this a mental health issue. We must refuse the complacency of accepting that this is simply a gun reform issue. This is the expected consequence of a nation that has yet to confront an ideology that proclaims whiteness is superior and treats blackness as less valuable or a threat. Shootings like these are not an affront to America’s deepest values; they are the embodiment of them.

In all too familiar moments, we recall these words from the song “Tell It Like It Is” by Tracy Chapman:

Say you'll never close your eyes, or pretend that it's a rosy world.

Say you'll never try to paint what is rotten with a sugarcoat.

Say you'll talk about the horrors you've seen and the torment you know,

And tell it like it is.

This latest attack is the result of a society that is rooted in white supremacy. This violence begins with people aligning themselves with white supremacy, however, it shows up in our lives. It shows up with believing that white lives should be protected over Black lives–knowing that Black children playing on playgrounds or sleeping in their homes are killed by police without hesitation, while white assailants are taken safely into custody. It shows up with packaging genocidal movements in language like “Replacement Theory.” It shows up when the media calls Mike Brown an “18-year-old man” and the Buffalo shooter a ”white teenager.” Whether it is the lie of a stolen election or calling a deadly insurrection “legitimate political discourse,” we must remember that “those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities.” White supremacy, in all its expressions, is violence. And until we collectively commit to eradicating that root structure, this violence will continue.

We must keep telling the truth, keep fighting, keep building a shared story and collective power because in our bones–we know another world is possible. As Black movement builder and Director of the Working Families Party Moe Mitchell said this morning, “If you don’t think change is possible, organizing is not your ministry.” We begin with truth-telling and moving together in that truth. Another world is possible if we build it together.

In Photo:

Top row, from left to right: Rachel Myslivy, Susan Leslie, Nicole Pressley, Audra Friend, Rev. Ashley Horan, Rev. Ranwa Hammamy

Bottom row, from left to right: Rev. Michael Crumpler, Jeff Milchen, Rev. Cathy Rion Starr

In faith and solidarity,

The Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team:

Adrian Ballou, Rev. Michael Crumpler, Audra Friend, Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, JaZahn Hicks, Rev. Ashley Horan, Susan Leslie, Jeff Milchen, Rachel Myslivy, Nicole Pressley, & Rev. Cathy Rion Starr

On May 17th, Side With Love hosted the National Network of Abortion Funds for a political education webinar for Unitarian Universalists and other people of faith and conscience to support abortion and take action in a post-Roe world. We’re especially grateful to Amanda Pretlow and Adaku Utah for their expertise, love, and invitational challenge at this event.

• View the webinar

• View the presentation

We heard about the importance of strengthening our muscles to have deep, connective conversations with people in our communities about abortion (and other issues!). NNAF’s Heart-to-Heart framework is an incredible resource to use for both relational organizing (1:1 values-based conversations with people in our own networks) and community organizing (within our congregations and with other faith communities). You can check out the whole array of Heart-to-Heart resources on the NNAF website, or you can jump right to specific tools:

• Heart-to-Heart toolkits: small group and individual

• Heart-to-Heart placemat and menu

• Heart-to-Heart virtual card selector

• The #AbortionWithinReach Campaign demands & resources

Toward the end of the webinar, we offered three specific calls to action:

1. Become an individual member of NNAF, and organize your congregation to make an offering to your local abortion fund.

2. Plan a set of small-group Heart-to-Heart conversations either within your own congregation, or in partnership with other local progressive congregations – remember that the work of building alignment, shared values, and relationships is an essential precursor to building power and capacity!

3. If your congregation is ready to begin organizing right now for concrete action working for abortion access and reproductive justice in your community, join us for Side With Love’s three-session Congregational Reproductive Justice Organizing Series, happening later this summer! (Please note that in order to join this cohort, we require at least two people from your congregation to commit to participating).

We’re so grateful that so many UUs are ready to meet the needs of this moment, and to continue to grow our relationships with organizations who have been leading this struggle for years.

Blessings,

Rev. Ashley Horan

Organizing Strategy Director, Side With Love - UUA

In May 2022, we hosted the webinar Fostering Local Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care. 

Special thanks to Rev. Karen Hutt, Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry; Halcyon Westall with the UUA Disaster Relief Fund and Faithify; and Rev. Cynthia Cain for helping us all reflect on how to cultivate community care in response to climate disasters.

What now?

• You can view the recording here.  Share it with your congregation to start a conversation on climate resilience and disaster preparedness!  

• Review the resources shared, including Rev. Cynthia Cain’s Climate Response Challenges & Suggestions, Rachel Myslivy and Rev. Ranwa Hammamy’s presentations on Climate Response and the Side With Love Action Center, and Halcyon Westall’s presentation on the Disaster Relief Fund & Faithify. 

• Sign up to attend the Climate Disaster Response Workshop

Climate Disaster Response Workshop

July 10, 2022 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET

Climate disasters impact our communities - how can UUs be prepared? Join this hands-on workshop with activities to help you identify the climate risks, understand who is most at risk, and how your community will be impacted. From there, make a plan to prepare for and respond to climate disasters in your neighborhood. This workshop is a follow up to "Fostering Local Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care'. Attendees are encouraged to watch the video of that training in advance of this workshop. Invite your congregation to watch with you! Sunday, July 10 - 4ET - 3CT - 2MT - 1PT

During General Assembly 2022 — the annual gathering of the Unitarian Universalist Association — Side With Love will have a range of programming and activities for participants in person in Portland, OR as well as online! Unless otherwise noted, all events and activities are open to the public.

Side With Love Networking Room

Join us in-person in Portland at our networking space in the Willamette 1 at the Hyatt Regency (across the street from the convention center). The space will be open to anyone registered for GA during these times:

• Wednesday: 12pm - 1:30pm PT

• Thursday - Sunday: 9am - 1:30pm PT

Come by to get your #JusticeBingo card, find spiritual respite at our altar space, make signs for Friday’s public witness, write letters to voters, meet with Side With Love staff and volunteers, and enjoy our many informal and formal events and gatherings!

#SideWithLove #JusticeBingo

Download our Side With Love #JusticeBingo or pick up a card at our Side With Love Network Room (Willamette 1 at the Hyatt Regency) and make a BINGO (complete 5 squares in any direction!). Once you get a BINGO, you get a raffle ticket for a prize. Complete the whole BINGO card and get 15 tickets! Submit proof of BINGO by going to the Side With Love Networking Room or email love@uua.org. Learn about the individual activities!

Prizes:

• Side With Love sweatshirt (3 winners)

• Side With Love swag box, valued at $100 (2 winners)

• Side With Love swag box, valued at $100, plus $100 gift certificate to InSpirit Bookstore (1 winner)

See our General Assembly Activities by Day See our General Assembly Activities by Issue See Our General Assembly Activities by Type

Climate forced displacement is on the news every day.  Most recently, the fires in New Mexico have displaced up to 18,000 people in the largest wildfire in the state’s history.  The Hermit’s Peak and Canyon Calf fires are only about 65% contained; the true impacts are hard to gauge, and it will take years to recover.   

Climate disasters will challenge every community.  How can UUs prepare?  How can we center justice in our response?  How can our congregations be beacons of hope in these trying times?  

Here are two things you can do right now:  

1. Check out the recording of Fostering Local Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care, featuring Rev. Karen Hutt from the UU Trauma Response Ministry; Halcyon Westall with the UUA Disaster Relief Fund and Faithify; Rachel Myslivy, Side With Love Climate Justice Organizer; and Rev. Cynthia Cain, retired UU minister.  

2. RSVP for the follow up Climate Disaster Response Workshop - July 31, 2022 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET.  Climate disasters impact our communities - how can UUs be prepared? Join this hands-on workshop with activities to help you identify the climate risks, understand who is most at risk, and how your community will be impacted. From there, make a plan to prepare for and respond to climate disasters in your neighborhood. This workshop is a follow up to "Fostering Local Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care'. Attendees are encouraged to watch the video of that training in advance of this workshop. Invite your congregation to watch with you!

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Aly Tharp- Farewell and Forward Together!

Aly Tharp has served as a leader in the Unitarian Universalist Climate Justice movement since 2014 will be transitioning from Co-Director of UU Ministry for Earth to a new organizing role at Green Faith, a multi-faith climate organization. Aly writes: 

“It has been a great honor and privilege to serve UU Young Adults for Climate Justice, UU Ministry for Earth and the entire UU faith community over the last eight years.

I am so proud of the work we’ve done together — the many national and global mobilizations; being an executive producer and screening partner of The Condor & The Eagle documentary; organizing congregations to create eco-artwork for the 2017, 2019 and 2022 General Assemblies; the hundreds of webinars and networking calls to strengthen the UU climate and environmental justice movement… It has been hard, beautiful, meaningful work. Thank you for your faith, support, and collaboration over the years…

Given that the UU Ministry for Earth, Side With Love, and hundreds of UU congregations are active in the People vs Fossil Fuels coalition — and given how many UUs are engaged in grassroots multi-faith action for climate justice generally — I have no doubt that this transition is not truly a goodbye! Our paths will continue to intersect and unite often, as we do the sacred and important work of showing up for Life, Love and Justice.”

Read Aly’s complete letter of hopes and well wishes here. 

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Climate Justice at General Assembly

The Unitarian Universalist General Assembly will be in Portland, OR, June 21st – 26th, and we hope to connect with you there in person or virtually. There are several excellent presentations on climate justice at this year’s General Assembly.  

Public Witness: “Fund Futures, not Freeways!”,  Friday, June 24 at 5:30 pm PT - 6:15pm PT

When we gather in-person at #UUAGA, we make a commitment to leveraging our UU power in support of locally-led movements for justice through a Public Witness in whatever city we are in. This year, local UU climate justice activists have asked us to join them in their support of youth-led climate justice work in partnership with Sunrise PDX, a chapter of the national Sunrise Movement.

Join Side With Love, UU Ministry for Earth, and our UU youth and young adults for this short action to support Sunrise PDX's Youth vs. ODOT campaign in demanding that the Oregon Department of Transportation "Fund Futures, not Freeways!" We will process from the Synergy worship to right outside the convention center, where we will hear from youth leaders and local activists about the need to imagine a decarbonized transportation infrastructure for the future of the planet and all species. People of all ages and abilities are invited to join the Procession of Species, and lift our voices together in song and chant at this brief, uplifting youth-led rally.

Below are a few highlights:

• LREDA Fahs Lecture- Ancestral Wisdom and Climate Justice with Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt - Thursday 1:45-3:15

• Creating Climate Justice on an International Stage - Friday 1:45-3:45

• The Power of Climate Justice - Saturday 1:45 PM-3:15 PM

• Learn to UU the Vote in 2022 - Friday 1:45-3:15

On Demand programming: 

• Organize with the Side With Love Action Center

• Blueprint for Successful Climate & Justice Teams

• Climate-Justice-Inequality: Can Business be the Agent of Change?

Check out UU Ministry for Earth’s guide to workshops and activities at General Assembly 2022!  

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Green Climate Fund Advocacy Needed

Do you agree the U.S. is responsible for a huge share of emissions causing the climate crisis and should do its fair share to support mitigation and resilience development? Will you support UU advocacy for the Green Climate Fund (GCF)? 

Are you a constituent in AR, CT, KS, KY, MD, MO, NH, TN, and VT? Your Senators are on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. If so, fill out this form so that UUSJ can pursue meetings with your Senators on the GCF.

In May 2022, the UUs for Social Justice (UUSJ) Environmental Action Team (EAT) did structured meetings with select targets on funding the GFC, a vital international effort to assist poorer countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help their people adapt to the worst effects of climate change. This effort was endorsed by UUMFE and UUJEC. We sought to learn why the GCF fell out of the FY-2022 budget and what can be done for the FY-2023 cycle. We heard about a political circumstance where faith voices are needed to press the Subcommittee to fund the GCF for both moral and policy reasons. Will you support this work?

Learn and act:

• Online letter writing portal https://bit.ly/UUSJ-GreenClimateFund (with UUMFE & UUJEC)

• Issue handout 

• Expert Opinion Briefing (video) https://bit.ly/UUSJ-GCF-Video

Earlier today, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down its decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson case. The final opinion effectively overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated federal protections for abortion. Each state will now be able to independently regulate abortion, with at least 26 states poised to entirely ban abortion care beginning immediately. 

We weep for the millions of people and families that will be harmed–physically, spiritually, financially, and emotionally–because of this decision. We mourn that this ruling rolls back many decades of advances for reproductive health, rights, and justice. And we sit with the numbness, despair, and anger we feel knowing that white Christian nationalist misogyny has won the day. 

Whenever our movements experience a major defeat, we take a beat to discern what our next moves will be. We all have the right to grieve, to rage, to mourn when we lose – it’s what keeps us human, and reminds us why we keep fighting. (Sometimes this can look like mass protest, when we gather in the streets as a community together. Many communities are planning decision day #BansOffOurBodies marches or protests; find yours here.)

Then, when we’re ready to move back into action after a loss, we have to choose how to allocate our energy. In the weeks and months ahead, as we calibrate to the realities of living in a post-Roe United States, there will be concrete ways for our congregations to take on both harm reduction and liberatory imagination. Here are three things you can do right now to support both today:

• Donate to your local abortion fund, and/or the National Network of Abortion Funds. Abortion has never been universally accessible to people in the US, but the National Network of Abortion Funds and their local affiliates have been supporting those seeking abortion care for decades. From making clinic referrals to providing financial support for medical costs, travel, childcare, and more, we need robust abortion funds more than ever. 

• Make a plan to host a(nother) Reproductive Justice Sunday in your congregation. Worship can be both a way of ministering to people’s hearts, and a component in mobilizing our communities for action. Click the link above to see the rich compendium of resources you can use for services in your congregation. 

• Join Side With Love’s UPLIFT Action campaign for our upcoming three-part Reproductive Justice Congregational Organizing series. In congregational cohorts and a large group, we will explore the role of congregations in a post-Roe world (Session 1), spend time discerning risk and accessing courage (Session 2), and make an organizing plan (Session 3). 

Whether you are in a state where abortion will be criminalized, or a state to which people will come seeking abortion care, there is a role for all of us–and all our congregations–to play, starting right now. The fight is far from over, but we’re grateful to be in it for the long haul with you.

In faith and solidarity,

The Side With Love Team 

Last week the Supreme Court limited the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to address emissions that cause climate change, compromising half a century of health, environmental, and climate justice advocacy. The decision in West Virginia v. EPA significantly limits the EPA’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas pollution from coal and gas-fired power plants using the Clean Air Act. The Court’s ruling will disproportionately impact communities of color and low-income communities. These populations are more likely to live near power plants, experience higher rates of pollution, are most affected by the public health impacts of climate and are more likely to experience climate-forced displacement.

• Tell Biden: Choose People over Fossil Fuels. Sign on to a list of executive actions that Biden must take right away to protect and invest in BIPOC and working-class communities impacted first and worst by pollution and climate disaster, stop all new fossil fuel infrastructure and declare climate change a national emergency

• Join with UUs demanding climate action. Tell your Senators and Representative that the Supreme Court’s recent climate decision requires urgent legislative action to invest in climate action.

• Call Your Senators NOW to express outrage at this decision and demand they do everything they can to stop climate change and protect our communities from air pollution and climate disasters.

• Take distributed action! Commit to getting 75% of your congregation to take one or all of these actions! Please fill out the Action Center Story & Report form to share your work with us.

This ruling adds to the pain and anger for those of us already mourning the devastating reversal of Roe v. Wade, the elimination of local gun controls, and the undermining of indigenous sovereignty – all while we face another summer of extreme heat with rising energy costs; and climate disasters like wildfires and floods displacing thousands of people. We must acknowledge our friends and neighbors who will now be denied bodily autonomy and be burdened by the financial cost and danger of trying to access care are the same people who continue to face the worst of the climate crisis.

As we wrote in May, “Our Unitarian Universalist faith affirms that all of our bodies are sacred, and that we are each endowed with the twin gifts of agency and conscience. . . . When disparities in resources or freedoms make it more difficult for certain groups of people to exercise autonomy over their own bodies, our faith compels us to take liberatory action.” This bodily autonomy applies as much to our right to choose as it does our right to clean air and clean water. We encourage you to discern where you feel called to be, and we send you our gratitude and blessings for showing up for justice.

How can we respond with love and justice at the core of our intentions and actions? What liberatory action can we take now?

Organize. Your. Congregation.

• Make a plan to prepare for and respond to climate disasters in your neighborhood. Climate disasters impact our communities - how can UUs be prepared? Join this hands-on workshop with activities to help you identify the climate risks, understand who is most at risk, and how your community will be impacted. Register for the Climate Disaster Response Workshop - July 31, 2022 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET.

• Advance Energy Justice through weatherization. Weatherization can reduce energy bills by up to 25% while improving community health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and improving air quality, but utility programs are often inaccessible to our lower-income neighbors. Join the next Green Sanctuary Team Meeting to learn how your congregation can engage in community weatherization efforts.

• Commit to action on climate forced displacement. Join the UU Ministry for Earth, UUs for a Just Economic Community, UUA, UUA Office at the United Nations, UUs for Social Justice, and the UU Service Committee in a joint UU Statement of Commitment in Response to Climate-Forced Displacement. It’s an historic moment of UU collaboration at a time when we’re seeing unprecedented climate-forced migration all over the globe - even right here in our communities. Sign on to respond to Climate-Forced Displacement.

• Get ready to vote on climate. UU the Vote is partnering with the Environmental Voter Project to turn out millions of non-voting environmentalists this November. Stay tuned.

• Connect with people organizing for Environmental and Climate Justice in your community, state, or region. Ask them how you and your congregation can help (don’t tell them what to do!). Centering values and lived experience is critical to achieving energy and climate justice. The 4th Arm - Partnership for Southern Equity demonstrates that when BIPOC communities are authentically and thoughtfully engaged in organizing, we can win on climate and create systemic change.

• Prepare yourself for the long haul journey to climate justice. Take a deep breath. Connect with your friends. Hydrate. Smile at a child. Sing a song. Center love.

We can do this.

Rachel Myslivy

Climate Justice Organizer

Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team

Last month, we learned about the tragic loss of 53 lives in San Antonio. Migrants were trapped in the back of a truck: parents, children, siblings, human beings who were desperate for an opportunity to find and create a better life for themselves and their loved ones. As the Somali poet Warsan Shire reminds us in her poem “Home,”

“no one spends days and nights in the stomach of a truck
feeding on newspaper unless the miles traveled
means something more than journey.”

Leaders on both sides of the aisle continue to use fear, scarcity, and bigotry to shape critical asylum policies. As people of faith, we know another way is not only possible but essential. Not every tragedy caused by injustice makes national news, but each matter because their lives and their communities matter. We know that these deaths could have been prevented if our asylum policies were designed to heal, not harm, seekers of safety & community. We need to tell our leaders that each day that we continue with Title 42 is a moral failure.

Join Love Resists for the interfaith #HealNotHarm Days of Action to restore asylum next week!

Months after most COVID-19 public health restrictions in the US have been lifted, our government is still using the pandemic as justification for refusing, detaining, and expelling asylum-seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border. Under the CDC’s Title 42 program, almost all asylum-seeking families and individuals are being denied their human and legal right to seek safety. The CDC has already acted to revoke Title 42 because it is not contributing to public health, but a conservative judge has kept it in place through a legal battle. Now, anti-immigrant political leaders want to ensure Title 42 continues to control migration and restrict asylum at the border, and are pushing amendments on Title 42 through Congress.

Join Side with Love, UUSC, & the Interfaith Immigration Coalition for our #HealNotHarm Teach-In on Monday, July 18 at 4pm ET

Many migrants have died from being denied access to asylum at the border where ports of entry have remained closed more than two years ago. Like most efforts historically to control cross-border migration, Title 42 does not deter those seeking safety in the US, but pushes them into more dangerous circumstances while trying to get here. The reality is that the horrific tragedy of 53 lives lost while migrants were trapped in the back of a tractor trailer in San Antonio, TX, is only the most visible tip of the iceberg. Thousands of people stuck in dangerous border cities in Mexico have been kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and forced into labor, while others have died from lack of medical care. Black asylum-seekers, especially Haitians, have been disproportionately impacted by Title 42. There is no way of tracking how many others have lost their lives after being forcibly expelled back to dangerous conditions in their countries of origin without screening for whether they feared for their lives if returned.

It is simply untrue that US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) does not have the capacity to process asylum-seekers in a safe and orderly manner at the border. We have seen how it is possible when the political will is there, such as when Ukranians were exempted from Title 42.

The courts are already preventing the end of Title 42, and now Members of Congress are trying to make this deadly policy permanent by attaching amendments to maintain Title 42 into as many bills as they can manage, including critical budget bills. So far, in the House, both the Labor and Health and Human Services and the Homeland Security budget drafts include an extension of Title 42 until 60 days after the pandemic is declared over. Additionally, a desperately needed COVID relief bill is being held up in part due to conflicts about including Title 42. We cannot meet the very real needs of our communities impacted by COVID by denying asylum-seekers their lives and safety!

Will you join me and other people of faith committed to restoring asylum at our #HealNotHarm Teach-in on July 18 at 4pm ET? Together we will learn about the many tactics we can take to bring an end to Title 42 and begin to move towards life-affirming asylum policies in the US. And we’ll prepare to participate in our own UU-sponsored National Call-in Day to demand an end to Title 42 on July 19!

As people of faith, we know that another world is possible, and together, it is ours to create. Bringing an end to Title 42 is one of the many necessary steps towards creating a world that no longer inflicts deadly harm, but offers liberatory healing and welcome to all.

In faith & justice,

Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, Congregational Justice Organizer

On July 18, Interfaith Immigration Coalition, Side With Love, & the UU Service Committee offered "Heal Not Harm: Restore Asylum Now" webinar and teach-in.

As shared by our speakers who offered their lived experiences, Title 42 is an inhumane and racist policy that violates the inherent worth and dignity of asylum seekers attempting to find safety within the borders of the United States. From blatant anti-blackness, to shackled dehumanization in front of their families, their stories remind us that what is happening is not theoretical but happening every day to real people. And their call to end the atrocities they and others have faced is one we cannot ignore.

As people of faith we must not only listen to and learn from the real people who are impacted by this deadly policy, we must follow their prophetic lead and take action to Restore Asylum NOW!

We know that the fight to end Title 42 & restore humane asylum policies has been a long and difficult one. And as people of faith, we have not only a moral obligation to challenge violently racist border policies, but also a resilient belief that another world is possible if we choose to make it so. Together we can take action, claim our collective power, and bend the moral arc of the universe to the justice & love we know is all of ours to manifest.

Recordings & Resources from the Heal Not Harm Webinar

"Heal Not Harm: Restore Asylum Now!" Webinar Recording

• "End Title 42: First Hand Accounts from Black Immigrants & Advocates on the Frontlines" (Facebook Livestream)

• "Holy Voices from the Border: Restore Asylum Now" (Facebook Livestream)

• "Title 42 Must End Now!" IIC Toolkit

• Send a message to President Biden & your members of Congress

• PCUSA & Disciples Action Hour (July 26 @ 9am PT/12pm ET)

• PCUSA August Recess Toolkit for Meetings with Members of Congress

• August Recess Refugee Advocacy Days with We Are All America

Take Action

Join the interfaith community that is taking action July 18-29 by demanding that our elected leaders end Title 42. You can help restore asylum by taking these three actions:

• Call your elected Members of Congress

Use this "click-to-call" tool to be automatically connected to your elected leaders with a personalizable script explaining why an end to Title 42 is essential.

• Send an email to your Congress & President Biden

Send a personalizable message to your Members of Congress & President Biden explaining how your faith demands an end to Title 42 & the restoration of asylum.

• Post on social media & tag your elected leaders

Use or personalize one of these tweets from the "Title 42 Must End NOW!" Toolkit to let your elected leaders know the only moral choice is to end Title 42.

When we think of climate disasters, we usually think about wildfires, floods, or hurricanes. Extreme heat may not be the first thing to come to mind, but it is one of the most dangerous of all climate impacts, especially with urban heat islands common in historically segregated communities. Extreme heat kills hundreds of Americans each year and causes many more to be seriously ill.

News of record-breaking heat is everywhere right now–you may be feeling the effects in your hometown. While some media outlets say, “everyone loves the summer heat!” with fun pictures of children playing in pools, the reality is that many of our friends and loved ones are profoundly suffering in this heat. This is not about discomfort. This about the safety, health, and sustaining quality of life that affirms the inherent worth and dignity of all. Our bodies and our infrastructure are not designed for these more frequent extreme heat events. This is why we fight for just policy and take action to care for and build resilient communities. 

RSVP for our Climate Disaster Response workshop. Make a plan. Protect your community. 

Sunday, July 31, 2022 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM ET (Note the Time Zone!)

Climate disasters impact our communities - how can UUs be prepared? Join this hands-on workshop with activities to help you identify the climate risks, understand who is most at risk, and how your community will be impacted. From there, make a plan to prepare for and respond to climate disasters in your neighborhood. This workshop is a follow up to "Fostering Local Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care'. Attendees are encouraged to watch the video of that training in advance of this workshop. Invite your congregation to watch with you!

How can we center the inherent worth and dignity of every person in this extreme heat? 

We can use our gifts to offer love, to work for justice, to heal injury, to create pleasure for ourselves and others. We can recognize our mutual independence with all life. We can take actions that are grounded in justice, guided by wisdom, and sustained with hope. We can learn, act, and reflect to cultivate the beloved community.

LEARN who is at risk and how.

• The EPA outlines key factors that put some at higher risk than others:

• Exposure affects people who work outdoors, in buildings with no air conditioning, the unhoused members of our communities, and people who live in inefficient housing or without air conditioning.

• Sensitivity to heat makes the very young, elderly, pregnant people, and folks with some health conditions more at risk. 

• The Ability to Respond makes it difficult for some to respond and prepare to avoid the heat. This includes our neighbors who cannot afford air conditioning or the electricity to use it because of high electricity burdens; people whose mobility issues make it difficult to access health care or get to a cooling center; and those who are exposed to extreme heat through work or lack of housing. 

Extreme heat can cause heat-related illness and death, including heat exhaustion and heat stroke, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, kidney disorders, and cerebrovascular disease. Increased ground level ozone can cause asthma attacks and other respiratory problems. In extreme heat, we see increased numbers of workplace injuries, increased violence, and mental health problems. It’s hard on all of us, but some are more impacted than others.

ACT NOW and plan for the long-haul.

Things you can do today:

• Offer your building as a cooling center to provide sanctuary from the extreme heat.

• If your congregation is in an area with heavy foot traffic, set out bottles of sunscreen and a cooler with paper cups for passersby to hydrate.

• Set up calling trees to check on elderly or sick members of your congregation every day until the heat subsides. Ask each person you call if they’re concerned about anyone else; add those people to your calling tree. 

• Know the signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion. Share this information with your community. (CDC or Weather.gov)

• RSVP for our Climate Disaster Response workshop. Make a plan; protect your community. 

Community actions to consider:

• Work with a neighborhood association or other local organization to weatherize low-income homes in your community. Weatherization can reduce energy burdens by 25%.

• Partner with frontline leadership to reduce the impacts of heat islands by planting locally-appropriate trees, community gardens, or other green spaces. 

• Encourage your local government to install public drinking fountains or splash pads in areas with urban heat islands.

• Commit to cultivating relationships with frontline communities in your area. Ask how you can help; don’t tell your neighbors what to do.

Congregational opportunities for solidarity:

• Make the changes necessary to offer your buildings as cooling or warming stations in extreme weather.

• Determine ways to reorganize your facilities to be able to provide emergency shelter after climate disasters, then make the changes. 

• Install a back-up generator so your building can provide sanctuary to your neighbors during blackouts or power outages. 

• Provide solar-powered charging stations to serve your community when the power goes out. 

Build power for the long haul:

• Advocate for local climate action. 

• Ask every elected official or candidate what they will do about climate change and extreme heat in your community. Make it local. Make it relevant. Make it urgent. . 

• Organize a campaign to press your local utility to adopt a hot-weather rule to ensure that no one has their power turned off for failure to pay during extreme heat. 

• Call on local officials and businesses to adopt standards to protect workers. Follow progress on the Biden Administration’s efforts to protect workers and communities from extreme heat. 

• Advocate for effective energy efficiency programs that prioritize lower- and middle-income residents. 

• Work for the equitable transition to a clean energy future through energy democracy and energy justice. The people most impacted by energy decisions should have the greatest say in shaping them. 

• Make sure that justice is at the core of your climate action. Update your understanding of climate action to center the experience of those most impacted by climate change. We must work together for the liberation of all. No excuses. 

REFLECT.

• Meditate on the ways love in action can transform our world. Breathe in love, breathe out justice. 

• Come together in community to create compassionate spaces for collective grief and community healing to ground and sustain our work. 

• Practice grace and compassion in your every interaction; consider the burdens we all carry, and be kind. 

• Celebrate the beauty and wonder of all creation. Seek restoration and healing in nature and in community with others. 

• Cultivate balance. 

• Prayerfully consider what radical acts of faith you can commit to personally, and how you will help lead in your congregation.

This work is hard, but we can do all of these things and more if we work together. As always, please reach out if you have ideas, need help, or want to talk through your plans. When you take action, tell us all about it. Every action counts. Thank you for your work.

In solidarity,

Rachel Myslivy

Climate Organizer for Side with Love

In July 2022, Side With Love hosted the Climate Disaster Response Workshop for individuals interested in organizing in their communities to respond to climate disasters, led by Rachel Myslivy, Climate Justice Organizer, and Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, Congregational Justice Organizer.

What now?

• Watch the recording of the Climate Disaster Response Workshop

• View the presentation slides (Slides) (PDF)

• View the Climate Disaster Preparedness for UUs Guide

• Continue the conversation: join the #issue-climate-justice Slack channel

Come together for shared learning and mutual support with other UUs working on congregational transformation through climate justice. We invite you to join our Green Sanctuary Team Meetings, which take place virtually on every third Wednesday of the month at 5PT - 6MT - 7CT - 8ET. These community conversations are open to anyone who is interested in transforming their congregation through climate justice. Sign up here.

Additionally, we are offering this series again this fall. Join this series of workshops with activities to help you identify the climate risks, understand who is most at risk and how your community will be impacted. From there, make a plan to prepare for and respond to climate disasters in your neighborhood.

Sessions: Sept 29: Assessing climate impacts & making connections; Oct 6: Mobilizing for action; Oct 13: Community conversation. All sessions are 2 hours long and begin at 7ET - 6CT - 5MT - 4PT.

We also invite you to sign the Climate Justice Voter Pledge. Join us in creating a groundswell of politically active climate voters to build the power to change policy and build resilient communities.

Climate change is a complex problem. There are no easy answers and often more questions. Holding complexity is part of the work we must do to realize a healthy and resilient future where all can thrive.

The Inflation Reduction Act puts forth the most ambitious climate action to ever pass US Congress. With significant investments in clean energy, transportation, and environmental justice, the IRA is projected to reduce emissions 40% by 2030. It’s historic. It’s exciting. It’s getting us closer to our climate goals. YES!

This legislation will have wide scale and lasting impacts for generations to come. Sadly, those impacts are not all positive or just. The Inflation Reduction Act is an example of the ways advocates and legislators neglect and exploit communities in the search for a win, instead of in search of justice. The IRA sacrifices communities already bearing the burden of climate change. NO!

The People Vs. Fossil Fuels Coalition calls out the IRA’s “poison pills” that will disproportionately impact Black, Indigenous, family farming, people of the global majority and working-class communities, including major handouts to Big Oil, like requiring new oil & gas leasing on 620 million acres of public lands and waters, and permitting for new oil & gas pipelines while supporting false solutions like carbon capture, nuclear, hydrogen, biofuels and carbon trading. NO!

So, while many are celebrating wholeheartedly, I’m conflicted. I’m melancholy. I’m torn. I wonder: is it really a win, if it’s not a win for all of us? NO!

Still, it also has historic investments in clean energy, transportation, environmental justice, and more that we desperately need. Plus, there are lots of other benefits like lowering Medicare prescription drug costs, extending the Affordable Care Act coverage for 13 million Americans, and instituting a 15% minimum tax on billion-dollar corporations. YES!

Like our friends at UUSJ say, the Inflation Reduction Act is a Mixed Bag.

Although the Inflation Reduction Act is the result of years of organizing from environmental justice organizations, climate organizations, and frontline communities, it muffles the concerns of people fighting on the front lines. Those in power continue to ignore, neglect, and actively harm those most impacted by climate change and the pollution that causes it. The IRA sacrifices frontline communities already bearing the brunt of the climate crisis. This is not climate justice.

No, the Inflation Reduction Act is not enough. Yes, we still need it. Hold this complexity, then let’s get to work.

In solidarity,

Rachel Myslivy

Climate Organizer for Side with Love

Next Steps:

• As part of the deal to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, Senators Manchin and Schumer are introducing legislation to fast-track permit approvals for fossil fuel projects. Write your members of Congress to pledge right now to block fossil fuel handouts.

• Tell Biden: Choose People over Fossil Fuels. This fact sheet outlines the importance of Biden declaring a national climate emergency.

• Encourage your congregation to Tell Congress: Reject Manchin + Schumer’s dirty “side deal” with the fossil fuel industry

Frontline organizations’ responses to the IRA

• Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR) Coalition: Congress, Appalachia is not your sacrifice Zone

• Indigenous Environmental Network: The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is not a Climate Bill

• Greater Chaco Coalition and allies: “We Can’t Frack Our Way to a Safe Climate”: Frontline Groups Slam Inflation Reduction Act

• The Climate Justice Alliance, UPROSE, and the Michigan Environmental Justice Coalition: Inflation Reduction Act: Environmental and Climate Justice Factsheet

• National “People vs. Fossil Fuels” Coalition Responds to Inflation Reduction Act; Demands Congress Strike Down Manchin’s Permitting Deal and Biden Take Executive Action

Mobilizing UUs in solidarity with Indigenous front-line communities is a critical part of our climate justice work. Communities where Black, Indigenous, and People of Color live are hit first and worst by the impacts of climate change and the pollution that causes it. Our climate advocacy must center the lived experiences and knowledge of these frontline communities.

UUs Beth Ogilvie with Starr King Unitarian Universalist Church and Colleen Cabot with First Unitarian Church of San Jose reached out to Side With Love to share an important call to action from the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band to the Protect Juristac Advocacy Partners Coalition. Please read their update, take the actions they share, and consider what climate justice looks like in your community? Who is most impacted, how, and where? How can you work in solidarity with the people most impacted?  

With deep appreciation for UUs doing the good work,

Rachel Myslivy, UUA Climate Justice Organizer

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The climate crisis is caused by taking – from the earth and from other beings, human and otherwise – exploiting, extracting, consuming, destroying – without regard to the consequences. Those who have more power take from those who have less, and the taking continues unabated. This system is built on injustice and cannot function without it.

An example of this injustice is unfolding in a place called Juristac, the most sacred grounds of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band, just south of the San Francisco Bay Area. A development company wants to construct a massive open pit gravel mine that would destroy this sacred ground for all time, and with it the spiritual and cultural heart of Mutsun life. It would also block a vital wildlife corridor connecting 3 mountain ranges. Wildlife cannot speak for themselves at Planning Commission hearings, or submit comments on the Environmental Impact Report, but the tribe can, and is, and we are supporting them. Please join us in helping prevent this irreversible injustice, this human rights tragedy. There are other sources of sand and gravel. There is only one Juristac. This 4-minute video tells the story.

What you can do:    

• Sign the petition to protect Juristac. 

• Submit a comment on the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) by Sept 26. The DEIR states that the mine will have “significant impact on the Juristac Tribal Cultural Landscape.” No kidding! Tell the Planning Commission why this is morally unacceptable and the permit must be denied. 

• If you’re in Northern California, attend the rally in San Jose Sept 10. Details will be on ProtectJuristac.org/deir.

• Follow the tribe on Instagram and Facebook.

As members of the Protect Juristac Advocacy Partners Coalition, both our churches have passed resolutions supporting the tribe and opposing the mine. We have been taking the Juristac story to churches and other faith communities to raise awareness and enlist support.

We are doing this work as UUs committed to justice and healing, which includes:

• Raising awareness of the true history of colonization and conquest and genocide, of extraction and exploitation, and how these patterns continue to this day.

• Marshaling support among UUs and other faith communities to support the Amah Mutsun in protecting their most sacred grounds from permanent desecration, and in regaining access so they can restore their culture and their spiritual practices.

• Promoting the understanding that Indigenous spirituality is equal to other religions and has a lot to teach about stewardship and reciprocity. 

Thank you for your commitment to climate justice through Indigenous solidarity,

Beth Ogilvie with Starr King Unitarian Universalist Church

Colleen Cabot with First Unitarian Church of San Jose

Redlined communities or “sacrifice zones” also bear the highest energy burdens in the country, with low-income communities spending three times more of their income on energy costs. I’m sure these percentages are much higher now as energy costs have skyrocketed in the past year.

Urban heat islands plus high energy burdens plus poor air quality combine to increase incidents of violence and mental health crises in redlined communities, which leads to increased incarceration and criminalization of people of color. In short, it's impossible to separate struggles for climate justice and racial justice, because they are so deeply intertwined both here in the US and across the globe.

As part of the deal to pass the Inflation Reduction Act, Senators Manchin and Schumer have introduced a separate piece of legislation that would fast-track permit approvals for dangerous fossil fuel projects in September. Thursday was a huge day in the fight against the dirty pipeline deal being pushed by Senator Manchin. This bill would force approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline, fast-track other fossil fuel projects, and undermine environmental protections and community review.

Will you join us in taking action to Stop Manchin’s Dirty Deal?

We need to be as loud as possible over the next four days and demand that every member of Congress oppose this dirty deal.

Please take 60 seconds right now and call your U.S. Senator! Dial 888-997-5380 and tell them to oppose Manchin's pipeline deal.

The People vs. Fossil Fuels Coalition has released a toolkit to #BlockTheDeal, including supported actions to call or send a letter to your member of Congress and amplify this Toolkit for action.

Workshop: Engaging Marginalized Communities

Thanks to Rev. Ranwa Hammamy for their presentation on Engaging Marginalized Communities in the Green Sanctuary Team Meeting. If you missed it, you can watch the video of the meeting here!

Take (and share!) the Climate Justice Voter Pledge!

Confronting climate change requires electing officials and enacting policies at every level, which means everyone who cares deeply about climate and environmental justice must turn out to the polls. To respond to the climate crisis we must take individual and community action! Share the UU Climate Justice Voter Pledge: https://SideWithLove.org/ClimateJusticeVoterPledge

Tell Congress to Pass The Environmental Justice For All Act

The recent passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 is a significant step toward greater investment in clean energy. Unfortunately, some provisions of the IRA may stimulate fossil fuel production and worsen pollution in areas already saturated by heavy industry. As part of the compromise that allowed the bill to go forward, Senator Manchin is now proposing loosening procedural protections around energy projects, making it even harder for affected communities to have a voice in approving these projects, many of which inflict environmental harm on communities of color. It is, therefore, more necessary than ever for Congress to pass the Environmental Justice for All Act, introduced in both the Senate and House and recently passed by the House Natural Resources Committee. Email congress: Environmental Justice for All!

Join the Side With Love Slack community!

Connect with others working on climate justice through the Side With Love Slack Channel. You can join at this link. Check out the #climate-justice-general or #climate-justice-green-sanctuary to find your people!

Upcoming Events

Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care

Climate disasters impact our communities - how can UUs be prepared? Join this series of workshops with activities to help you identify the climate risks, understand who is most at risk and how your community will be impacted. From there, make a plan to prepare for and respond to climate disasters in your neighborhood.

This workshop is part of a series. Sessions: All sessions are 90 minutes long and begin at 7pm ET/ 6pm CT / 5pm MT / 4pm PT

• 9/27/2022 - Assessing climate impacts and making connections

• 10/25/2022 - Mobilizing for action

• 11/15/2022 - Community conversation

Green Sanctuary Team Meetings

Come together for shared learning and mutual support with other UUs working on congregational transformation through climate justice on the third Wednesday of the month at 8PM ET. Each meeting includes a short presentation on a climate justice topic, followed by open discussion.

• 10/19/22 - Congregational Engagement on Climate Justice with Michael Hughes, UU Fellowship of Corvallis, OR

• 11/16/22 - Blueprint for Climate Action Teams - Mary Rodgers, Phil Webster, & Kenneth Crandell, UU Congregation of Columbia

• No meeting in December

Green Sanctuary Orientation & Office Hours

Interested in transforming your congregation through climate justice? Join this orientation to get a better understanding of the Green Sanctuary program and learn how your congregation can engage. Office hours are held on the first Wednesday of the month from 7-8PM Eastern Time.

• No meeting in October

• 11/2/22 - Green Sanctuary Orientation & Office Hours

All Climate Events can be found at sidewithlove.org/climatejustice

Every Body Is Sacred!

Join Side With Love for the official launch of our latest organizing campaign, UPLIFT Action! This virtual event will be held on Thursday, October 13th at 5pm PT / 6pm MT / 7pm CT / 8pm MT.

Register at https://bit.ly/UpliftActionLaunchParty.

We'll be honoring the sacred importance of bodily autonomy with several of our partners and Unitarian Universalists from around the country who are faithfully organizing for LGBTQIA+, Gender, and Reproductive Justice. Come be a part of this special event where we proclaim "Every Body is Sacred!" and celebrate the inherent worth and dignity of every person and launch ourselves into action!

Thank you so much for signing up for the first webinar of our “Climate Resilience through Disaster Response & Community Care” series at Side With Love. Whether you were able to attend in real-time or plan to watch the recording later, we are grateful for your commitment to building communities of care in the face of climate disasters. 

Resources & Materials from Session 1

Linked below are materials & resources from our September 27 session on “Assessing Climate Impacts & Making Connections.” Please note that most of these can be found in the UUA Climate Disaster Prep Google Drive Folder, in both PDF & Google Doc formats.

• Climate Disaster Preparedness Guide for UUs 

• Climate Disaster Response for UUs Materials & Resources

• Climate Disaster Congregational Asset Mapping Tool - pdf & gdoc

• Case Study (Part 1) - pdf & gdoc

• Assessing Climate Impacts Worksheet - pdf & gdoc

• Assessing Climate Impacts Graphic Worksheet - pdf

• Climate Disaster Response Reflections Worksheet - pdf & gdoc

In addition, you can access a copy of the slide presentation from our September 27 webinar/workshop here, and watch the recording of the entire workshop here. 

Next Steps

We invite you to share this recording and these resources with others in your congregation as you explore how to incorporate what was discussed into your own efforts to support your community through any experiences of climate disaster. Consider consulting with key congregational leadership to complete your Congregational Asset Map, or begin to identify who in your broader community has the most direct knowledge and experience of the climate threats in your area. 

We also encourage you to share your reflections on your process with us, by sharing your copy of the “CDR/Climate Disaster Response Reflections” worksheet that you may have begun working in during the September 27 webinar. Sharing or emailing a copy to Rachel Myslivy at RMyslivy@uua.org will help us understand & better meet your needs, both as an attendee and as a climate organizer in your congregation. 

We also want to remind you to register for the second part of this series, Mobilizing for Action, which will be held on Tuesday, October 25 at 7pm ET/  6pm CT / 5pm MT / 4pm PT. We encourage you to invite 1 or 2 more people from your congregation to attend, so we can continue to grow our community of support!

And if you are looking for for another place to connect with others working on climate justice, join us on the the Side With Love Slack Channel.  You can join at this link:  http://bit.ly/SideWithLoveSlack. Check out the #climate-justice-general or #climate-justice-green-sanctuary channels to find your people! 

If you have any other questions or ideas for how we can support your organizing for climate justice in the face of climate disasters, please email us at Environment@UUA.org. We want to hear from you about what kind of gatherings, workshops, or coaching will help you live your UU values to the fullest in community

We look forward to seeing you again on October 25 & November 15!

In faith & justice, 

Rachel Myslivy Rev. Ranwa Hammamy

Climate Justice Organizer Congregational Justice Organizer

Side with Love Side With Love

Earlier this month, Side With Love Congregational Justice Organizer Rev. Ranwa Hammamy wrote: “When our congregations are truly rooted in our Unitarian Universalist values, the work of collective liberation naturally follows. We know that as spiritual leaders and ministers within our congregations, you are shaping communities that, each and every day, strive to deepen their commitment to our faith’s values and calls.”

This ministry has never been more crucial, and we are grateful to be partners with you in this work. In service of justice and liberation, we share some upcoming events we hope will fortify, inspire, and encourage you and your community to live into the hope and courage of our faith.

UPLIFT Action Launch Party: Every Body Is Sacred!

October 13 at 5pm PT / 6pm MT / 7pm CT / 8pm ET

Join Side With Love for the official launch of our latest organizing campaign, UPLIFT Action! This new campaign focuses on reproductive, gender, and LGBTQIA+ justice. Together we'll honor the sacred importance of bodily autonomy with several of our partners and UUs from around the country who are faithfully organizing for every sacred body. Register at bit.ly/UpliftActionLaunchParty. 

Meeting the Moment Political Education Series

October 9, October 23, and November 6 at 4:30pm ET

We are in a critical moment in our country and in our democracy and we’re fulfilling an essential role as trusted messengers to voters all across the country about all things voting.

Not feeling well-versed in electoral matters, though? Introducing Meeting the Moment, a political education series! Join UU the Vote for in-depth conversations on civics, faith-based organizing, and getting out the vote in a fun and engaging way! UU the Vote Campaign Manager JaZahn Hicks will be leading these interactive learning experiences for anyone who wants to be able to talk about the importance of voting, how to discuss ballots and voter guides, and what the various terms related to democracy and voting are. Register for one or all the sessions here.

• Sunday, October 9: Civics 101

• Sunday, October 23: Faith as an Organizing Tool, with special guest Rev. Ashley Horan, UUA Side With Love Organizing Strategy Director

• Sunday, November 6: Getting out the Vote, with special guest Angela Miller, Executive Director of Center for Common Ground

Climate Disaster Preparedness for UUs

October 25 and November 15 at 4pm PT / 5pm MT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET

Over the next three months, we will be holding a Climate Disaster Response series geared towards congregations committed to responding to the needs of their broader communities in times of crisis and disaster. Our approach with this series is honest and full of care: we know that climate disaster impacts all of us in different ways, so how can we face that reality with a prepared understanding of our relationship, responsibility, and power to support those who are most impacted? 

From grounding ourselves in the climate risks most prevalent in our communities, to developing plans of action, to staying in conversation with our faith peers, this series turns the overwhelming nature of climate disaster into a better known and collectively addressable entity. Rooted in the belief that shared knowledge and faith are essential to Beloved Community, this series will provide the climate activists and teams in your congregation with essential tools to build a climate disaster preparedness plan that lifts up the best of Unitarian Universalism in your community. 

If you missed our first session, you can watch it and start the homework before joining us for the next session:

• Tuesday, October 25: Mobilizing for Action (7pm ET / 6pm CT / 5pm MT / 4pm PT)

• Tuesday, November 15: Community conversation (7pm ET / 6pm CT / 5pm MT / 4pm PT)

Thanks to everyone who joined us for the amazing presentation on Engaging Marginalized Communities with Rev. Ranwa Hammamy at the last Green Sanctuary Team Meeting. If you missed it, you can watch the video of the meeting here and download the slides here.

Green Sanctuary Team Meetings

Come together for shared learning and mutual support with other UUs working on congregational transformation through climate justice on the third Wednesday of the month at 8PM ET. Each meeting includes a short presentation on a climate justice topic, followed by open discussion.

• 10/19/22 - Congregational Engagement on Climate Justice with Michael Hughes, UU Fellowship of Corvallis, OR

• 11/16/22 -  Blueprint for Climate Action Teams - Mary Rodgers, Phil Webster, & Kenneth Crandell, UU Congregation of Columbia

• No meeting in December

We are so excited to organize with Unitarian Universalists like you who are committed to promoting LGBTQIA+, Gender, and Reproductive Justice.  With the sacred right to bodily autonomy being attacked on multiple fronts, our presence as people of faith is critical to lives all around the country.  Fueled by the joy that is this prophetic and powerful community, it’s time for all of us to take action together!  You can find more opportunities to learn & act together at the Side With Love Action Center, but here are some highlights from our launch party from October 13, 2022.

• View the webinar

• View the slides

Don’t forget to sign up for the UPLIFT Action Newsletter so you can continue to get more updates about ways to connect and take action together!

QUUer the Vote

With the 2022 Election season ending in 24 days, it is time for us to QUUer the Vote and make sure all of us have the right to say what happens to our own bodies.  With reproductive freedom on the ballot in multiple states, making sure people vote our values is crucial to our collective access to bodily autonomy. 

• Friday, October 14 Phonebank to Detroiters with MUUSJN & Michigan United to support the Reproductive Freedom for All Act

• Monday, October 24 SURJ Phonebank to Kentucky Voters to Prevent the Constitutional Abortion Ban

• Weekly Monday UU the Vote Text Banks to Michigan to support the Reproductive Freedom For All Act

Learn & Organize in Your Congregation for Reproductive Justice

The movement for reproductive justice is rooted in bodily autonomy for ANY BODY that can become pregnant and/or parent a child.  Abortion access is part of the work, but it’s not the only way our bodies and lives are being restricted in our reproductive journeys.  Learn more and mobilize within your congregation by participating in one or both of these upcoming trainings!

• SACReD Reproductive Dignity Curriculum Training for Congregations (10/23 or 11/9) 

• Congregational Reproductive Justice Training for Teams (Two-Part Series)

  • Part 1 (11/13)

  • Part 2 (12/4)

Phone Bank with the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey

In just a few days, the National Center for Transgender Equality, Trans Latin@ Coalition, Black Trans Advocacy Coalition, and National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliancewill lauch the 2022 U.S. Trans Survey (USTS).  The USTS is the largest survey of trans people in the United States, collecting data that will inform media, educators, policymakers, and the general public, on issues critical to trans lives and experiences.  Help be part of this crucial project that covers topics such as health, employment, income, the criminal justice system and more. Learn more here and sign up to phone bank with the USTS starting October 19!

UPLIFT Monthly Trans/Non-Binary Gathering Space

Join the UPLIFT monthly gatherings focused on trans, nonbinary, and other not (completely or at all) cis UUs.  Join us to connect with other trans/nonbinary UUs and co-create support and community across our faith.  All you need to bring is yourself (and other trans/nonbinary friends, if you’d like)!  

These gatherings focus on getting to know each other and on sharing our collective dreams, ideas, and talents for this space.  Expansive definitions of trans, nonbinary, and UU all apply.  If you are interested in this space, and you aren’t cisgender, it’s a space for you.

NOTE: This space is intentionally multi-generational.  It is open to and welcoming of trans/nonbinary elders as well as children, youth, and young adults.  Standard UUA online safety measures apply to ensure all people under 18 are able to attend.  We're glad to have you here!

If you pay attention to climate issues, you know that not a day goes by without at least one major headline, whether it's a hurricane, wildfire, political posturing, or new technology; climate is in the news. I'll tell you that my heart has been heavy this past week or so because of a headline I saw explaining that animal populations have declined almost 70% since 1970.

One of my mentors used to say that focusing on climate change is too small and sustainability isn’t enough.  We also have to think about species extinction, environmental justice, and the many other intersecting social and environmental justice issues.

As for sustainability not being enough: You don't want your marriage to be sustainable; you want it to flourish!

So even as I've been mourning the loss of all of the blessed, beautiful creatures, I've been holding in my mind and heart all of the blessed, beautiful creatures who remain, who make our world the beautiful, blessed place that it is. I’ve been trying to visualize the creatures I love flourishing - the manatees, blue whales, black-footed ferrets, wolves, American burying beetles (I have a soft spot for decomposers), Mead's Milkweed, California Redwoods, and all the others….flourishing. Our world, flourishing.

We know that we are losing so, so much, and so many precious beings, and we must balance that knowledge with a vision of a thriving, flourishing community filled with radical hope and grounded action. As Mariame Kaba said, “Hope is a Discipline.” We can do this together.  What is the creature, being, or place that you most want to save, that gives you hope when your heart is weary? What will you fight hardest to save?

I invite you to take a moment as you read this to think about the beings that you love, the places that make your heart sing, the things you will fight to save.  If you have time, check out this beautiful, challenging, and inspiring video of the UN Climate Summit Poem "Dear Matafele Peinem"  Every time I watch it, it fills me with wonder, fear,  joy, sadness, anger, and hope -  all of the emotions I need to commit again, every day, to climate action.  

In our hearts, all climate activists hold the goal of making the world a better place, making it different, and making it so we all thrive. David Graeber says, "The ultimate, hidden truth of the world, is that it is something we make, and could just as easily make differently."  How can we make our world differently, together, so all beings thrive?  

Here’s one idea:  VOTE FOR CLIMATE.  Did you know that people who prioritize climate tend to skip midterm elections?  There are millions of people who prioritize climate but don’t vote.  I know that many of us have been disappointed by the glacial pace of climate change policy.  I know we’ve been frustrated that politicians say they’ll act on climate, then we see little change.  I know it’s hard to keep trusting in a system that has not adequately responded to the crisis.  Believe me, I know.  AND STILL, we need to turn out every climate voter this November.   Let’s come together this fall to make our world differently, so all beings thrive.  

In community,

Rachel

---

Rachel Myslivy is Side With Love’s Climate Justice Organizer. Get updates from Create Climate Justice by subscribing here.

Thank you so much for signing up for the “Mobilizing for Action,” the second workshop in our series on “Climate Resilience through Disaster Response & Community Care”.  Whether you were able to attend in real-time or plan to watch the recording later, we are grateful for your commitment to building communities of care in the face of climate disasters.   

Next steps:  

1. Make sure you RSVP for the third and final workshop in this series: Community Conversations on November 15.  We encourage you to invite 1 or 2 more people from your congregation to attend, so we can continue to grow our community of support!

2. Check out the  Climate Disaster Response for UUs Guide.  This guide is chock full of tools and resources to help individuals and congregations to Assess Climate Impacts and Mobilize for Action.  Every community is different, and climate impacts will vary at the hyper-local level.  Some neighborhoods may be devastated by a hurricane while others experience only minor impacts.  Adequate preparation and response for climate disasters must center the lived experiences and impacts of climate disasters on those most at risk.  We’ve paired tools for each section to help you think through every step of the process.

3. Join the conversation!  If you are looking for another place to connect with others working on climate justice, join us on the Side With Love Slack Channel.  You can join at this link:  http://bit.ly/SideWithLoveSlack. Check out the #climate-justice-general or #climate-justice-green-sanctuary channels to find your people! 

4. Tell us what you’re doing and what you need!  We’d love to hear how your congregation is preparing for climate disasters and how we can help!  Please email RMyslivy@UUA.org and let us know!

Resources & Materials from Session 2

Linked below are materials & resources from our October 25 session on “Mobilizing for Action.” These resources and more can be found in the UUA Climate Disaster Prep Google Drive Folder.

• Climate Disaster Preparedness Guide for UUs 

• Climate Disaster Response for UUs Materials & Resources

• Assessing Climate Impacts & Mobilizing for Action Worksheet - gdoc - doc - pdf

• Case Study-  gdoc - doc - pdf 

• Reflections: Case Study to Reality  - gdoc - doc - pdf

• Assessing Climate Impacts Graphic Worksheet - pdf

• Climate Disaster Congregational Asset Mapping Tool - pdf & gdoc

In addition, you can access a copy of the slides or watch the recordings from previous workshops at the links below:

September 27 slides - recording

October 25 slides - recording 

We invite you to share this recording and these resources with others in your congregation as you explore how to incorporate what was discussed into your own efforts to support your community through any experiences of climate disaster. Consider consulting with key congregational leadership to complete your Congregational Asset Map, or begin to identify who in your broader community has the most direct knowledge and experience of the climate threats in your area. 

If you have any other questions or ideas for how we can support your organizing for climate justice in the face of climate disasters, please email us at Environment@UUA.org. We want to hear from you about what kind of gatherings, workshops, or coaching will help you live your UU values to the fullest in community

 

We look forward to seeing you again on November 15!

 

In faith & justice, 

Rachel Myslivy Rev. Ranwa Hammamy

Climate Justice Organizer Congregational Justice Organizer

Side with Love Side With Love

In order to achieve climate justice, we need significant policy shifts supported by powerful grassroots organizing. We must pressure governments for meaningful climate action, while advancing climate solutions in our communities to ensure that all people can thrive.  We also need time to regroup, unlearn, and learn anew.  With all of this in mind, we invite you to engage in one or all of the exciting climate justice opportunities this month.  You could start by joining the final workshop in our Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care series on Tuesday, November 15 at 7 ET, or zoom in to get the latest updates on COP 27 Activities with the UUMFE Daily Discussions on COP27.  Last, but not least, we invite you to Rethink Thanksgiving.

Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care:  Community Conversation

Climate disasters impact our communities - how can UUs be prepared? This is the third workshop in our series which includes Assessing Climate Impacts & Making Connections, Mobilizing for Action, and finally, Community Conversation, which takes place on Tuesday, November 15 at 7ET.  Connect with other UUs to discuss the issues and identify opportunities for learning, reflection, and action with Side With Love. 

COP27

The Conference of Parties (COP) of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is a critical annual convening where the 198 Parties of the UN who signed the Convention on Climate Change meet to negotiate multilateral responses to climate change.  The UUA, UUSC, and UUMFE send delegates to COP to represent our UU values.  

COP27 will be held from 6-18 November 2022 in Sharm El-Sheikh.  The UUA is approved to send observers from civil society to COP 27 through the UU Service Committee (UUSC) and UUA at the UN Office and will elevate these key priorities:

1.  Ensure the active & meaningful participation of civil society from the global south.

2.  Protect the human rights of civil society and their freedom of expression

3.  Act swiftly to address the issue of climate-forced displacement (see the UU Joint Statement on Climate-forced Displacement, Human Rights, and Community Resilience).

     a.  Mitigation

     b.  Loss & Damage

     c.  Adaptation & Resilience

     d.  Climate Finance (see Take Action with UUSJ below)

For background, check out UUSC’s What is COP27 and Why Does It Matter?, watch COP 27 Events Live & On Demand via YouTube, or join UUMFE Daily Discussions on COP27 with Doris Marlin and Dr. Bill McPherson that will happen periodically through December 7.

Rethinking Thanksgiving

Indigenous solidarity is an essential part of the struggle for racial and environmental justice. It is critical that we deepen our commitment to Indigenous Sovereignty in ourselves and in our movements, take collective action towards land rematriation and support efforts to ensure a just and sustainable existence for all of our future generations.

Join American Indian Law Alliance, NDNCollective, Tonatierra, Sogorea Te Land Trust and the Indigenous Solidarity Network (made up of SURJ, Resource Generation and Catalyst Project) for “Rethinking Thanksgiving: From Land Acknowledgement to LANDBACK” on Sunday, November 20 at 1pm PT/4pm ET. This webinar is an invitation to interrogate so-called Thanksgiving, and move beyond the myths of America's history with Indigenous People on Turtle Island.

Register for the webinar here: bit.ly/rethinkingthanksgiving2022

From tar sands pipelines across Turtle Island to Arctic oil and gas drilling, Indigenous campaigns of resistance continue to lead the way in protecting future generations against the destruction of sacred lands and waterways.

Moving into a deeper understanding of how colonialism is embedded into our frameworks and systems builds our capacity to be better allies to Indigenous Peoples. In this webinar, we will hear from the frontlines of Indigenous efforts to resist violence and colonization fueled by the current extractive economic system and gather ways to further and deepen solidarity with Indigenous resistance including land rematriation.

Live Captioning, ASL and Spanish interpretation will be available on the call. Fill out this form https://forms.gle/zwK4cAsy3wYkBWvi8 for questions about accessibility.

When we launched UPLIFT Action, it was a sacred declaration that our bodies are worthy of protection and love.  We reminded ourselves that the movements for LGBTQ+ Justice, Gender Justice, and Reproductive Justice are all rooted in a deep reverence for every person’s right and access to bodily autonomy.  We celebrated that our communities are so much stronger and more joyous when we resist together, create for and with each other, and refuse to let anyone convince us that only one of us can win at a time.  

Tuesday night, we experienced the complex mix of joy, relief, and anguish that comes from faithfully upholding the truth that our liberation is necessarily collective.  Our bodies - our worth -  were on the ballot in several ways.  From statewide propositions preserving or denying the right to reproductive autonomy and freedom, to candidates who have openly declared their hatred for transgender and queer people, to ballot initiatives deciding whether or not slavery should still be allowed in prisons - this midterm election both buoyed and attacked our shared struggles for our bodies and lives.

We also know that this year is by no means the first time the sacred right to bodily autonomy, and the inherent right to be seen and treated as human, has been on the ballot.  What we are witnessing this year is inextricably tied to a centuries-long system and collection of structures designed explicitly to control and criminalize black and brown bodies, disabled bodies, bodies with addictions and mental illness, femme and female bodies - any bodies that do not “fit” into a colonialist, white supremacist, cisheteropatriarchal, and Christian supremacist definition of what is right or worthy.  Nor is this the first time our bodies - queer, transgender, and/or potentially capable of supporting pregnancy - have been reduced to the pawns of political manipulation and plays for power.

The reality we are surviving and persevering through is that our bodies have always been subject to literal, political, and spiritual policing.  The fullness of humanity has never been fully respected or revered by the laws and institutions we continue to challenge and reshape.  This year’s midterm elections include the latest efforts to deny the sacredness of communities and individuals who challenge a narrow, oppressive, and violently evil ideal of what is good.

But within our centuries-long struggle there is a genuine blessing - our growing presence and power.  As our movement consistently expands our understanding of who is being denied their humanity, we are also expanding our vision of what true bodily autonomy entails.  The collective liberation that our Unitarian Universalist faith tells us is not only possible but necessary offers a nourishing balm that continues to bring more hearts and souls to our movements.

This midterm election, we witnessed how our struggles and visions are capable of bringing us closer to that liberated world our bodies need.  Building on our summer victory in Kansas, pro-choice advocates won decisively in all five state initiatives on abortion.  Michigan, Vermont and California voters embedded reproductive freedom within their state constitutions, while the people of Montana and Kentucky defeated anti-choice measures.  These ongoing, democratically-shaped outcomes protecting the legality of abortion are an undeniable statement that bodily autonomy is majority value.  We as a people are growing in our recognition that the policing of our bodies is a violation of their worth, and are changing our laws and institutions as a result. 

We also witnessed that there is more struggling and visioning ahead.  We know that some of the candidates who have won their races are inciting and codifying violence against transgender and non-binary people, particularly among our youth.  We know that we will continue to face those values that are so counter to our understanding of welcome and care, and that it will at times be exhausting and terrifying.  But we also know that our shared struggle, our faithful vision, will continue to grow in power and numbers as it always has.

As my colleague, UU the Vote Campaign Manager JaZahn Hicks recently wrote: “As we have seen so clearly time and time again, there is value in the work of faithful organizing. We are not tied to a radical political ideology but an ideology of radical love and faith. [Our work] has always been prophetic and not partisan.”

Let’s bask in this radical love and faith, beloveds, so we are strengthened, supported, and inspired to remember that our – and every – body is sacred.

In faith and solidarity,

Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, Congregational Justice Organizer

Side With Love

Thank you so much for signing up for “Community Conversation”, the third and final workshop in our series on “Climate Resilience through Disaster Response & Community Care”. Whether you attended in real-time or plan to watch the recording later, we are grateful for your commitment to building communities of care in the face of climate disasters.

• View the recording

Recording and materials for Session 1

Recording and materials for Session 2

Next Steps

How can we continue to grow community around climate disaster preparedness and response?  What do UUs need to foster communities of care in the face of climate change?  How can we work together to cultivate thriving communities?  

Tell us what you need! 

Thank you for engaging in one or more of the workshops on Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care.  We’ve loved learning alongside UUs across the country on ways we can make our communities stronger and more resilient.  For our final workshop in the series, we want to hear from you! 

How can we support your Climate Disaster Response and Community Care initiatives?

Please let us know what you learned from the workshops, what challenges you're facing as you organize climate disaster response in your congregation, and - most importantly - how we can help!  The Side With Love Team is here for you.  Tell us what you need!

We have all sorts of ideas: We could host regional meetings!  We could organize gatherings around climate disaster topics like fire or floods!  We can put together more resources!  The possibilities are endless!  Tell us what would be most impactful to your work on these issues.  Help us build this work together!

Please let us know what you need by filling out this brief survey. 

This evening, we are still processing the mass murder at Club Q in Colorado Springs overnight even as we commemorate all the trans beloveds whose lives have been stolen on this Trans Day of Remembrance. Tonight, we are reminded yet again of the violence that lies at the core of white Christian nationalism, whether in the form of guns aimed at our queer and trans beloveds, or legislation designed to criminalize our very existence. We at Side With Love will continue to fight for a world in which all bodies are treated as sacred; to join our UPLIFT Action campaign for LGBTQ+, Gender & Reproductive Justice, click here. 

To our beloved trans and queer family,

If your heart is broken, we weep with you. 

May you sense how fiercely you are held in love.

If your fists are frozen in rage, we scream our fury alongside you. 

May you be warmed by the white-hot heat of our righteous solidarity.

If your stomach drops with terror, we tremble with you. 

May you feel the strength of the safety we wrap around one another.

If your bones are weary, we sink down next to you. 

May deep rest be the companion of your grief.

And, beloveds, remember:

All of us–

the high femmes, the faeries, the twinks, the gender transgressors, the panromantics,

the dykes, the bears, the studs, the butches, the homos, the androgynes, 

the aces, the demibois, the zaddies, the graysexuals, the baby queers – 

all the delicious, unexpected, gorgeously beloved incarnations of us – 

we are made from stardust and and leather and honey 

and Love.

Even on the todays, 

the mornings when mourning our dead and fearing for our lives 

is the metallic aftertaste on our tongues:

We still dance because the surging electric life force 

that loved us into being and that pulses through our veins 

is too powerful to stay inert and unmoving. 

How could we be still?

We still sing because the defiant hymns of our ancestors 

reverberate in the tiniest interstices between our cells. 

How can we keep from singing?

We still congregate because like root systems and constellations and watersheds,

the molecules of our being only make sense 

when we are intertwined and inseparable 

and powerfully free in our interdependence. 

How could we do other than to claim and choose each other, every day?

We dance our resistance.

We sing our belovedness.

We gather each other up 

and we do not let go.

As is our vow, today and all days:

we will mourn the dead and fight like hell for the living.

And all the while, we will repeat this truth

Til it is lodged in our bones and

And undisputed anywhere:

We were meant for life, for abundance, for freedom.

We were made for joy.

In faith and solidarity,

Rev. Ashley Horan

Side With Love Organizing Strategy Director

Side With Love is partnering with Interfaith Power and Light (IPL) and the Energy and Environmental Study Institute (EESI) to host a briefing to learn about the benefits included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) that can help houses of worship do energy work on their facilities. 

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is the most sweeping clean energy and climate legislation in history. With clean energy tax credits for wind and solar, electric vehicles, energy efficiency, heat pumps, and more, the IRA sets a course to reduce greenhouse gas emissions up to 44% by 2030, while saving thousands of lives, creating millions of good-paying clean energy jobs, investing in environmental justice, and reducing energy bills for working families across the country.  Although it’s not perfect, the IRA presents an historic opportunity for climate action.   

The IRA opens the way for non-profits and houses of worship to access clean energy funds and tax credits.  UU Congregations can now leverage federal funds for energy and resiliency improvements.  This is a critical time for people of faith to reduce the impact of our congregational facilities through the federal funding opportunities.   

Additionally, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) provides the Department of Energy with $50 million over five years for an "energy efficiency materials pilot program" for nonprofit organizations. This new program will provide grants of up to $200,000 to nonprofits to improve the energy efficiency of their facilities.  

Join Interfaith Power & Light, the Environmental and Energy Study Institute, the United Church of Christ, and the Unitarian Universalist Association for a briefing on Federal Funding Resources for Nonprofits and Houses of Worship on December 8 at 4pm ET/1pm PT.  Learn how to prepare to apply for Energy Efficiency Materials Pilot Program grants for your congregation’s energy efficiency work.

Register Now

Additional resources:

Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice

Join fellow UUs working on congregational transformation through climate justice.  Climate justice calls us to reduce the emissions that cause climate change, adapt to changing climate conditions, and increase resilience to worsening climate impacts through congregational transformation and community engagement. We must balance the urgency of the climate crisis with the need to center justice in our actions. Opening our minds and hearts to learn and collaborate with communities most impacted will ensure a just transition to a clean energy future where all can thrive.

Join the Green Sanctuary community!

• Introduce yourself to Green Sanctuary staff and volunteers by emailing UUA_GreenSanctuary@UUA.org.

• Engage in the Green Sanctuary Process

• Subscribe to the Green Sanctuary Email List

Come together for shared learning and mutual support with other UUs working on congregational transformation through climate justice on the third Wednesday of the month at 7ET - 6CT - 5MT - 4PT. Each meeting includes a short presentation on a climate justice topic, followed by open discussion on pressing needs.  

• Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration

January 18, 2023 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM CT

online

The Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration will spotlight the amazing work UUs are doing through the GS2030 program. Active Green Sanctuary congregations will share their successes, challenges, and ideas. Come to learn, leave inspired! All are welcome!

Faith Community Resource Spreadsheet

IPL has created this faith community resource spreadsheet to help houses of worship identify federal grant and tax credit opportunities that are available.  Federal agencies are still in the process of developing the guidance and programs for the Inflation Reduction Act. This IPL resource document will be updated as new program guidance becomes available. 

IPL’s Cool Congregations Calculator 

Now is a great time to benchmark your buildings – line up 12 months of utility bills, find out the construction date of your building, track occupancy rates, and use IPL’s Cool Congregations Calculator to learn more about your congregation’s carbon footprint. 

In 2012, Minnesota become the first state in the nation to defeat an anti-gay marriage bill – a massive campaign and a watershed victory, won in large part by progressive religious folks having one-to-one conversations about their values with tens of thousands of people across the state. When Karen and I moved to Minneapolis in 2014, however, the new availability of marriage to queer folks meant that if we didn’t choose to get legally married, I (and our soon-to-be-born second child) couldn’t access health coverage through my partner’s job, along with many other legal protections and benefits available only through state-sanctioned marriage.  

Karen and I were clear that our covenant was between ourselves and the Holy – not the State. We would not have chosen to participate in the institution of legal marriage if we felt like we had a choice. While it was wildly unfair that the benefits conferred upon married people weren’t available to so many of our beloveds for an array of reasons, we also knew that refusing to protect ourselves and our children on pure principle would not bend the arc toward justice. So, on a lunch break on a November Tuesday, when I was 37 weeks pregnant, we had a perfunctory wedding in front of a judge at the Minneapolis courthouse and signed the paperwork making our union legitimate in the eyes of the law. 

The following summer, infant child in tow, we were at UUA General Assembly the day the Supreme Court announced their decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, making “marriage equality” the law of the land. Unitarian Universalists had been on the frontlines of this issue for years, and the decision was received by the several thousand UUs gathered in the Portland Convention Center with utter jubilation. While I celebrated alongside my siblings in faith – especially the gay and lesbian elders for whom this victory was profoundly significant – I also remember thinking, “What would be possible if Unitarian Universalists gave as much energy, money, and organizing to other struggles for justice as we have for marriage equality?” 

What I feared back then was that we as UUs–like many liberal advocacy groups at that time– would receive the Obergefell decision as an indicator that the work for LGBTQ+ justice was over; that our organizing energy would dissipate, instead of charging forward to organize for protection and rights and safety and freedom for trans people, BIPOC communities, disabled folks, people in a variety of family configurations–everyone who wouldn’t benefit equally from “marriage equality.” 

I’m thankful that since 2015, UU support for LGBTQ+ liberation hasn’t disappeared. We’ve watched the growth of powerful queer and trans leadership within UUism. We’ve deepened our congregational work through the Five Practices of Welcome Renewal program. Congregations and State Action Networks have shown up powerfully at school board meetings and legislatures to fight against laws criminalizing gender-affirming healthcare and teaching about sexuality and gender in schools. Our recent launch of Side With Love’s UPLIFT Action campaign for LGBTQ+, Gender & Reproductive Justice is a testament to what we have built together, and the power of our faithful action to declare that every body is sacred. Given the attacks on queer and trans people occurring everywhere from courtrooms to city council chambers to nightclubs, it’s a good thing we continue to grow our capacity to stay in the struggle for the long haul. 

The Respect for Marriage Act is not a victory for LGBTQ liberation – at best, it is harm reduction for a few that leaves the most vulnerable among us behind. Although the mainstream media continues to note that this is “groundbreaking bipartisan legislation,” lawmakers agreed to profound concessions in order to get the bill passed. In effect, this bill will only ensure that should the Supreme Court overturn Obergefell, state and federal governments will be obligated to recognize existing legal marriages. The bill makes it clear that neither churches nor non-profits (like adoption agencies) will face any consequences for denying the legitimacy of same-sex marriages. And just for good measure, the bill reaffirms that legal marriage is defined as the union between two people, explicitly leaving out poly relationships. As one commentator put it, “They’re throwing us crumbs because they can’t serve us safety and dignity.” 

Frankly, I’m furious we’re still fighting about marriage at all – that we continue to live in a society in which access to basic human rights and freedoms is doled out via an institution that has never been accessible to all people. I’m furious that progressive movements have poured – and will now likely keep pouring – our energy, our resources, our capacity, and our strategy into the struggle for so-called “marriage equality,” which provides safety and access to so few people. And I’m irate that even if we’re able to protect “equal marriage,” we will still have to keep fighting for financial stability, citizenship, healthcare, recognition of familial structures, and more for entire populations of disabled people, undocumented folks, BIPOC communities, poor people, and people whose primary familial relationships happen not to be a romantic relationship between two people. As many noted warriors for queer and trans liberation have noted, marriage will never set us free.

So what comes next? We get very clear that the fight for marriage rights is not the same as the fight for trans and queer liberation. We sharpen our analysis on disability justice, immigration justice, racial justice, gender justice, capitalism, white Christian nationalism – all the systems that prevent so many members of our communities from accessing the safety and stability that marriage purports to offer. We redouble our organizing for a more just immigration system; for universal healthcare; for life-affirming legislation that protects and affirms queer and trans people regardless of who they happen to be in state-sanctioned relationship with. 

To Side With Love means to fight for collective liberation for queer and trans people for the long haul.

In the coming months, we will offer several opportunities to learn, reflect, and take action together. If you haven’t yet, please sign up here to receive updates about our UPLIFT Action campaign for LGBTQ+, Gender, and Reproductive Justice. We’re grateful to be in the struggle with you, beloveds, taking our shifts to get each and every one of us free. 

In faith and solidarity,

Rev. Ashley Horan

Side With Love Organizing Strategy Director

Side With Love is thrilled to announce 30 Days of Love 2023! Our annual month of spiritual nourishment, political grounding, and shared practices of faith and justice, 30 Days of Love will go from Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 16) through Valentine’s Day (February 14).

This year’s 30 Days of Love is a gift to our whole community: a love letter, a warm hug, a spiritual balm for all of the individuals, families, religious professionals, partners and communities that embody our values and work for justice and liberation year round. Each week will feature a spiritual theme overlapping with one of Side With Love’s intersectional justice priorities, and we'll share an array of offerings to help nourish your spirit and give gratitude and affirmation.

WEEK 1 (January 16-22): Interdependence :: Democracy & Electoral Justice

WEEK 2 (January 23-29): Embodiment :: LGBTQIA+, Gender & Reproductive Justice

WEEK 3 (January 30 - February 5): Healing :: Decriminalization

WEEK 4 (February 6-12): Resilience :: Climate Justice

BONUS DAYS (February 13-14): Blessings :: Liberatory Intersections 

Each week, you can expect to receive several different kinds of offerings, each from a different voice within Unitarian Universalism. Each week’s resources will be published by 12pm ET every Monday:

• A weekly Side With Love message, grounded in personal story and offered on our blog and via email and socials, reflecting on the week’s spiritual and justice issue themes

• A Time for All Ages grounded in the week’s theme, presented in video and written form, available for free use in your congregation this week or any week it works for you

• A video of Body Practice, suitable for all ages and with attention paid to accessibility for people of varying abilities

• A thematic Prayer, available for use in both video and text formats

• A thematic Blessing, available for use in both video and text formats

• A Grounding Practice to offer at the beginning of gatherings or meetings from our Side WIth Love Fun & Spiritual Nourishment Squad, available for use in video and facilitator guide formats

We offer these resources knowing various people will use them in a range of ways. Individuals may take a quick break during their lunch hour to watch a video blessing or read the week’s prayer; religious educators might use the Time for All Ages in worship, or encourage teachers to start their classes with the Body Practice; families might start a family meal reading one of the written reflections and then engaging in conversation; Board members and committee chairs might use the Grounding Practice to kick of that week’s meeting agenda. Please note that while we are not offering a full worship service as a part of 30 Days of Love this year, we hope that many of these weekly resources can be useful in your worship planning now and throughout the liturgical year. 

However you use these resources, we are proud to bring you the love and wisdom of some of our most compelling UU voices, and are thankful for this annual opportunity to collectively nourish our spirits and love each other up for the long haul. 

For our communities to thrive in a fossil-free dream world, we must have robust, equitable clean energy systems that center justice and the lived experiences of those on the front lines of climate change. Focusing on clean energy as a human right elevates just and equitable clean energy strategies like energy justice, energy democracy, community solar, energy efficiency, and more. As many of our congregations are gearing up to apply for Federal funding for clean energy projects, it’s important that we embrace a visionary and prophetic approach that ensures a clean energy future for all - no sacrifice zones! Stay tuned in 2023 as we dig into these issues to help UUs decarbonize our communities, not just our sanctuaries!

UU Ministry For Earth is hosting a special Solstice celebration December 21 that invites us all to pause, reflect, and honor all that life brings. Register here to join.

Transforming our congregations into clean energy hubs

We need to dramatically reduce emissions by 2030 to avert the worst impacts of climate change and preserve a livable planet. It’s critical that we do this work in a way that prioritizes justice. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 44% by 2030. With funds for churches and nonprofits to implement clean energy projects, the IRA is a great opportunity for UUs to reduce our carbon footprint while cultivating communities of care. Now is the time to think big and broad as we consider these clean energy projects in our communities.

How can UU congregations transform to clean energy hubs or centers of community care? Think big!

• Pair solar with energy storage to offer our buildings as community resilience shelters during severe weather or other emergencies causing power outages.

• Energy efficiency upgrades in our buildings improve air quality, community health, wellness, and resilience, all while saving money and reducing emissions. Empower the energy wonks in your congregation to work with lower-income housing groups or neighborhood associations to increase energy efficiency in your community.

• Installing solar or energy efficiency upgrades on our buildings reduces emissions AND saves money we can redirect toward our justice work. Ultimately, these projects generate economic development and jobs, strengthen communities, and create community wealth.

• As our UU teams become experts on the opportunities (we all will, right?), we can partner with other churches or nonprofits in our community to share the knowledge, learn together, and expand access to clean energy.

We’re here to help!

The UUA is partnering with Interfaith Power and Light, Environment and Energy Study Institute, and the United Church of Christ to develop a series of workshops for congregations throughout 2023. Watch the recording of the Federal Funding Resources for Nonprofits & Houses of Worship Briefing today, and sign up for our Climate Justice updates so you don’t miss a beat - and encourage your friends to as well!

Get your congregation ready!

• Form (or revitalize!) your Green Team, and launch Green Sanctuary 2030 in your congregation. GS2030 will help you form a balanced approach to climate action, ensuring justice is at the center. Get a good team inspired and ready to go - with regular support from our monthly community meetings that are open to anyone working on congregational transformation through climate justice.

• Join our Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration on January 19th to honor the decades of work invested by our congregations and make the commitment to climate justice by 2030!

• Benchmark your building

• Get an energy audit from your utility (often they are free)

Resources from the webinar:

• Recording

• Presentation slides

• Native land digital map

• IPL federal resources website

• IPL federal resources spreadsheet

• Cool Congregations website

• DOE Energy Efficiency Materials Pilot Program for Nonprofits

• Sign up for email notifications from DOE

• DOE program RFI (where to submit comments by Dec. 22)

• Zoom chat

• ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

“The Clearing”

Do not try to save

the whole world

or do anything grandiose.

Instead, create

a clearing

in the dense forest

of your life

and wait there

patiently,

until the song

that is your life

falls into your own cupped hands

and you recognize and greet it.

Only then will you know

how to give yourself to this world

so worthy of rescue.

–Martha Postlethwaite

Happy 2023, Beloveds, and welcome to 30 Days of Love, Side With Love’s annual month of spiritual nourishment, political grounding, and shared practices of faith and justice! 

Having recently marked both the Winter Solstice and Gregorian New Year, this is a period of pause and contemplation – a time to reflect upon what has been, take stock of what is, and dream about what could be. And as we do so, both individually and collectively, we are all aware of how hard it is to be human in these times: to maintain hope for a just and sustainable future in the face of all the broken systems that surround us, to muster compassion for one another in the midst of extreme polarization, to find the energy to keep fighting for liberation when our bodies and our spirits often feel so depleted. 

At its core, the work of Side With Love is to build communities of relationship and power that tap into the power of Love to both sustain and free people. Through our many programs and campaigns, we invite UU individuals, congregations, organizations, and movement partners to collectively ground our spirits, grow our skills, and act for justice. And, we are keenly aware that the world we are fighting for is literally and metaphorically on fire – which often means that we struggle to find the time to cultivate the practices and seek the spiritual nourishment that will sustain us in our long-haul work for justice. We too often are compelled to address  the urgent at the expense of the important. 

In that context, this year’s 30 Days of Love is an offering to our whole community – a love letter, a warm hug, a spiritual balm for all of the individuals, families, religious professionals, partners and communities that embody our values and work for justice and liberation year round. It is an invitation to slow down, to create that “clearing in the dense forest of your life and wait there patiently,” as the poet Martha Postlethwaite writes. 

Each week will be grounded in a spiritual theme overlapping with one of Side With Love’s intersectional justice priorities, and will feature an array of offerings to help nourish your spirit and give gratitude and affirmation. We invite you to engage with and share these resources as part of your daily spiritual practice, around the family dinner table, in communal worship, in committee meetings – however feels useful to you and your community. Read more about this year’s weekly themes and the kinds of resources you can expect. 

This first week of 30 Days of Love, our resources focus on the intersections between the spiritual theme of Interdependence and Side With Love’s work on Democracy, Voting Rights, and Electoral Justice. We are delighted to offer you a blessing from the Rev. Duncan Teague, a Time for All Ages from JeKaren Olaoya, a body practice from Katie Resendiz, a prayer from the Rev. Wendy Bartel, a grounding practice from Canedy and our Fun & Spiritual Nourishment Squad, and a reflection on the week’s themes by the Rev. Ashley Horan. See all of this week’s fantastic resources at our website.

Do you want to get a text when we update each week? You'll only receive five texts, which will arrive on a Monday after 12pm ET. If you're interested, text 'days of love'  (without the quote marks) to 866-533-1494. You can quit getting updates anytime by replying STOP.

Faith leaders and congregants are expanding their abortion-rights curriculum, partnering with clinics and abortion funds, and ramping up spiritual counseling services for pregnant people who want abortions.

For that reason, we are back again with our transformative three-part Reproductive Justice Congregational Organizing Series.  

This work is not new. It is part of a long history where people of faith work to protect reproductive freedom. For this series, we are strategically identifying teams within congregations to be part of a mobilization strategy to support abortion care networks. In many of our religious traditions, our sacred texts always depict sacred people who resist unjust laws to do justice and to show kindness and compassion to our fellow people. It’s now on us to be the next chapter in history books. We hope that you would consider joining us, once more, and participate with other members of your congregation in our upcoming series.  

Whether you have participated in this series before or are new to reproductive justice organizing, we hope you will join us! Please recruit your congregational team/group and make sure your teammates register for the series by the morning of 1/27/23.   

Reproductive Justice Congregational Organizing Series for Teams

Sundays January 29th, February 12th, & February 26th from  4pm - 6pm ET / 3 CT / 2 MT / 1 PT

Participation in all 3 sessions is required. 

• Register for Session 1

• Register for Session 2

• Register for Session 3

As we digest the impact of the fall of Roe v Wade, we know that there will be a huge need for local organizing, resource sharing, and collective action as abortion becomes criminalized in various places. By signing up for this three-part series, you are committing to being a part of organizing a TEAM in your congregation that will organize the congregation for specific action(s) in support of abortion access and Reproductive Justice in your community. Everyone who signs up for this series is expected to bring at least one other person from their congregation, with whom you will apply the learning from these sessions immediately in your own context. Facilitated by Rev. Ranwa Hammamy and Charity Howard of the Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team.   

Session 1: The Role of Faith Communities in a Post-Roe World : With SCOTUS overturning Roe, what are faith communities that support Reproductive Justice called to do? We will explore the range of possible responses, and help you make a plan to begin organizing your team, your congregation, and your community.

Session 2: Discerning Risk, Accessing Courage: To work effectively in solidarity with movements, faith communities need to be clear about our capacity, our commitments, and our boundaries. We will talk about levels of risk associated with various kinds of congregational organizing for reproductive justice after abortion is criminalized, and provide tools to map your congregation's resources and risk tolerance so that your community is prepared to respond quickly and clearly to opportunities for action.   

Session 3: Making an Organizing Plan: Using the learning from sessions 1 & 2 about which actions your faith community/congregation is prepared to take, we will talk about how to create a work plan and strategy for your particular congregational context.

Whether you are in a state where abortion has been criminalized, or a state to which people will come seeking abortion care, there is a role for all of us–and all our congregations–to play, starting right now. The fight is far from over, but we’re grateful to be in it for the long haul with you.

“Grounding ourselves into a deep gratitude for the miracle of our bodies - however they look, move, and interact with the world around us - includes not only a celebration of our individual physical beings, but also a deep reverence for the intimacy of our connections. After all, our bodies do not exist in a vacuum - we physically interact with countless structures, systems, and communities each day that impact, and are impacted by, our flesh, bones, and spirit. For some of us, these interactions are predominantly empowering moments of welcome and respect. And for some of us, we encounter confusion, denial, and outright rejection as our norm.

As Unitarian Universalists, we have historically embraced the breadth of our lived experiences of the world as a faithful teacher, crossing the permeable barrier between sacred and profane to deepen our embodiment of liberating and life-affirming holy truths.”

from Rev. Ranwa Hammamy’s Reflection on Embodiment

Our second week of 30 Days of Love feature resources focus on the intersections between the spiritual theme of embodiment and Side With Love’s work on LGBTQIA+, Gender & Reproductive Justice. Offerings this week include a blessing from Julica Hermann de la Fuente, a Time for All Ages from Rayla Mattson, a prayer from Adrian L. H. Graham, a body practice from Leika Lewis-Cornwell, and a grounding movement meditation from Canedy of our Fund and Spiritual Nourishment Squad. Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, Side With Love Congregational Justice Organizer, opens with a reflection on this week’s theme. See all of this week’s fantastic resources at our website.

For generations, UUs have been jailed for our conscience in resisting systems of oppression. As our tradition becomes more justice oriented, rates of UU arrests are on the rise. How does our conscience also call us to be there for those whose bodies are on the line?

Learn how UUs are building capacity to support and share the load in the face of mass arrest. Find out more about how to organize support for those who are arrested and jailed as a conscientious form of protest. Join our virtual training on February 7 at 4pm - 5:30pm PT / 7pm - 8:30pm ET. Presenters: Rev. Karen Van Fossan, Antoinette Scully, Rev. Dr. Clyde Grubbs, and friends.

Register Now

UUs have been engaged in social change efforts, including nonviolent civil disobedience, for many generations. Today, it seems that UUs who resist injustice are being arrested and detained at increasing rates. This is due, in part, to an enhanced partnership between corporations and the state in criminalizing dissent.

The sustainability of UU activism, as well as the sustainability of UU activists, well may depend upon the capacity of UU entities to provide a spectrum of support for those at the frontlines.

Learn more & download the toolkit

In this week’s reflection, Side With Love Field and Programs Director Nicole Pressley writes:

Cornell West famously reminds us that justice is what love looks like in public. As Unitarian Universalists, our work for justice is an expression of deep belief that all people are worthy of love and liberation. Today, that work often looks like resisting the criminalization of people’s identities, their bodies, and their communities. 

In recent years, this has looked like Unitarian Universalists supporting people seeking, aiding, and performing abortions in Texas, Kansas, Michigan and Kentucky when abortion has been criminalized. We’ve raised money to bail out Black mothers and Water Protectors. We’ve supported ballot initiatives to decriminalize marijuana in Oregon and Colorado, and paid off fines so returning citizens can vote in Florida. 

As a strategy, decriminalization sets us on course to heal, to be held accountable, and to be fully human with one another. Decriminalization cultivates the conditions for wider and deeper transformation. 

Decriminalization is a crucial response to the horrors of the prison industrial complex – the web of forces including the legal system, policing and law enforcement, and mass incarceration whose main goal is the oppression of many for the benefit of a few. Increasingly, our laws make it a crime to be fully human – to be homeless, to seek and provide healthcare, to ask for asylum or to migrate, to be Black or brown, to honor our children’s evolving genders, to teach the real history of this nation. In the US, the criminal-legal systems collude to diminish the power and autonomy of the body politic, whether by disenfranchising entire communities through mass incarceration and voter suppression, or literally wiping people out of existence through both death sentences  and extra-judicial killing. 

But decriminalization isn’t only about policy wins; it is about the victory of literally being with our people once again.

The theme of our third week of 30 Days of Love explores the intersection of Healing and Decriminalization. We have moving offerings that we hope will educate, inspire, and refuel you as you explore what it means to heal communities and families. We have a prayer from Rev. Jason Lydon, a blessing by Rev. Kierstin Homblette Allen, a body practice from Rev. Sky Williams-Tao, a grounding meditation from Side With Love Fun and Nourishment Squad Member Lora Powell-Haney, as well as a Time for All Ages story by Erica Shadowsong. Find all of these here.

We are heading into our final week of 30 Days of Love, but we still wish to celebrate and honor all of the individuals, families, religious professionals, partners, and communities that embody our values and work for justice and liberation year-round. Join us for these two amazing events that promise to fill you with joy and, we hope, feel like a big hug from us to you.

Nourish’s Dinner Church Worship Service for 30 Days of Love

Sunday, February 12, 2023, 7:00 PM -  9:00 PM ET

In this challenging time, let your souls rest as you experience powerful, embodied worship and connection. Join the Revs. Emily Conger & Aisha Ansano of Nourish for a worship service to hold your tender heart, offer you respite, and nourish you in body and in spirit. 

In our time together, we'll join in embodied ritual, music, small group discussions, & opportunities to name the challenges we face and to bless one another. We invite you to bring a chalice and at least a bite of food, a warm drink, or your whole meal (real or imaginary). 

Beloveds, a place is set for you - come feed your body and spirit! 

The first 25 confirmed registrants will receive a SnackMagic gift card for this event from Side With Love -- a hug from us to you!
Nourish's Dinner Church worship services feed bodies and spirits through food and ritual. Nourish leverages the ancient spiritual technology of connection through gathering around a table and adapts it for modern contexts. You can learn more at nourishuu.org.

Register Now

Celebration of UU the Vote Good Trouble Congregations!

Tuesday, February 28, 2023 7:00 PM -  8:00 PM ET

Despite widespread attempts at voter suppression and election subversion, UU individuals and congregations around the US collectively reached over 2 million voters last year. Hundreds served as poll workers and election officials, and our partnerships and values won critical ballot measures all over the country.

We are excited to honor and celebrate the work, partnerships and moral courage of our community who got into #GoodTrouble in 2022. Let’s come together to honor our collective work, share powerful stories, and call down joy as we move into the work ahead.

Register Now

The climate crisis isn’t happening in a vacuum. With attacks on Black lives, trans kids, and reproductive justice all in the face of increasing fascism and white supremacy, rampant gun violence, and ongoing pandemic, sometimes it feels like tragedy is everywhere all the time.

And yet, so is love. So is courage. So is resilience.

Side With Love Climate Justice Organizer Rachel Myslivy’s reflection for this week considers the way Resilience is found in our work for justice, including climate justice.

Later, she writes: “The strength of “what if” is what helps us continue in this work. And so, what is our resilient, loving way?”

This week’s offerings for 30 Days of Love includes pieces we hope bolster, strengthen, and encourage our collective resilience: a blessing by Rev. Leah Ongiri, a body practice by QuianaDenae Perkins, a new Time for All Ages by Yvette Salinas, a prayer by Rev. Terri Burnor, and another grounding practice by Lora Powell-Haney. We hope these continue to nurture you.

By Jeff Milchen

Reverend DC Fortune and Sara Phinney Kelley, Director of Religious Growth and Learning at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Susquehanna Valley in Pennsylvania, were looking for inspiration as they brainstormed developing a multigenerational, interactive service preceding Martin Luther King Day this year. They discussed incorporating New Year’s resolutions into the sermon but sought to find a way to make the discussion something that would involve UU justice priorities and stick with participants, rather than just spark momentary ideas.

The resulting project had an unlikely source of inspiration: a 1972 Playboy magazine interview with Buckminster Fuller, the architect, inventor, and philosopher (among other roles). Fuller compared the challenge of steering an ocean liner to bending the arc of history toward justice. Rudders on these ocean vessels extend several stories in height and weigh many tons, so moving them directly would require huge amounts of force and fuel.

But the invention of trim tabs—basically small plates attached to the rudder—solved this challenge. When the ship's captain turns a steering wheel, it slightly rotates these small plates, which disrupts the water pressure just enough to enable the giant rudder to move easily.

As individuals, Fuller explains, few of us have the power to move the rudder on societal injustices directly, but we can disrupt the status quo in small ways that facilitate much larger movements. Fuller believed in this concept so deeply that his gravestone and adjacent plaque were inscribed “Call Me Trimtab” upon his death in 1983.

In preparing the service for the Susquehanna Valley UU, Fortune and Kelley seized upon a Fuller invention, the geodesic dome. Fuller conceived the domes as a lightweight, inexpensive, and energy-efficient home design, though numerous drawbacks ultimately precluded mass adoption. Combining the geodesic model with the idea of trim tabs, Fortune and Kelley imagined building a complete geodesic sphere, not as a shelter, but as a physical expression of individuals' resolutions for ways in which they will positively impact issues they care deeply about. It would be a way to engage folks physically as well as intellectually.

After finding an online calculator to provide the needed number and dimensions of triangles for the five-foot diameter sphere, Fortune purchased light plywood and zip ties, cut the triangles, and drilled holes for connections. For the engineers and geometry fans out there, the dome required a combination of 60 isosceles and 20 equilateral triangles, as shown in the photo below, and used five sheets of plywood.

Fortune recalls, “we had the good sense to do a trial run” of their plan before the service and realized constructing the sphere would take much longer than the course of the service. Fortune, Kelley, and volunteers built the sphere prior to the service and rolled it into the sanctuary. Each congregant was asked to pick one of more than 100 triangular pieces of paper and write a particular justice issue, a hurt of the world that needed to be addressed but that just felt too big for them, and write it in the middle of the triangle. An array of choices for paper and marker colors added to the appeal. Though Fortune and Kelley had kids in mind, Fortune noted, “Omigod--adults fight over marker colors more than kids!” 

Participants then were asked to place in each corner of their triangle one small “trim tab” action they would take to help make a small difference on their priority issue. Everyone proceeded to stick their ideas and resolutions onto one of the triangles on the sphere, which will remain in place until after the conclusion of the annual 30 Days of Love campaign, another inspiration for the sermon and activity. Kelley says they also made it easy for remote participants, who simply typed their issue and trim tab ideas into the chat box for on-site volunteers to add.  

“We’ve been striving to make services more interactive,” said Kelley, but expressed concern about how the activity would be received. “Universally, people said this was fun and interesting,” said Kelley. Many senior congregants mentioned their enthusiasm for seeing kids involved in the service. All who missed the MLK weekend service are invited to add their ideas to the sphere through mid-February and subsequent sermons by Fortune and lay leaders reference the concerns and resolutions it contains.

Once it’s removed from the sanctuary, Kelley will inventory the ideas congregants placed and she believes the record will provide valuable guidance for decisions about which justice issues the congregation tackles collectively. Climate Justice is one oft-cited concern and Kelley mentioned they now are exploring UUA’s Green Sanctuary program. Kelley also mentioned how many young people cited capitalism and excessive wealth disparities as a concern. Many congregants’ resolutions included speaking out more and immersing themself in material presenting issues from the perspective of oppressed people.

Fortune shared an interesting observation from the dome construction process, noting, “the dome was totally unstable when it was almost done.” Not until the 80th and final piece was connected did the sphere have the structural integrity to cohere when moved.

You can watch or listen to Rev. Fortune’s MLK Day service on YouTube.

In January, Climate Justice Organizer Rachel Myslivy hosted the Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration. The event spotlighted the amazing work UUs are doing through the Green Sanctuary 2030 program.

We heard from about twenty Green Sanctuary 2030 congregations on their successes, challenges, and everything in between.  It was inspiring and exciting to hear all of the great things happening in our congregations.  Thank you all for your excellent work!

Did you miss the celebration?  Or wish you would’ve taken notes on that one awesome presentation?  You’re in luck! 

You can watch the recording of the Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration or review the slides.  Get inspired!

Join the GS2030 Community!

Each month, we hold Green Sanctuary 2030 Orientations on the first Wednesday of each month and GS2030 Community Meetings on the third Wednesday of each month at 4PT-5MT-6CT-7ET.  You can RSVP for these events and all Side With Love Climate Justice events at SideWithLove.org/ClimateJustice

I hope to see you all for our next GS2030 Community Meeting on Wednesday, February 15 when Zoe Johnston with UU Young Adults for Climate Justice will help us all understand how to engage young adults in your Green Sanctuary work.  RSVP today for Young Adults in UU Congregations:  More than Just Committee Members!

New to Green Sanctuary 2030?

Join our next Green Sanctuary Orientation on March 1 to learn how to transform your congregation through climate justice!  

Beloveds,

In their recently-released draft of the new Article II of our UUA bylaws, the Article II Commission writes, “The purpose of the Unitarian Universalist Association is to actively engage its members in the transformation of the world through liberating Love.” I’ve heard many folks ask, “What do we mean by ‘liberating Love?’” The A2C writes:

Love is the power that holds us together and is at the center of our shared values. We are accountable to one another for doing the work of living our shared values through the spiritual discipline of Love.

At its core, the work of Side With Love is to be a hub for connection, growth, nourishment and action that allows Unitarian Universalists and our partners to live out our values in the world. Together, we deepen our political analysis, sharpen our skills, articulate our theological grounding, and mobilize our communities to build a world in which all of us are free and thriving. 

And – we are so aware that the work of transforming the world through liberating love is something that started long before any of us was born, and that will carry on long after we have become the ancestors of memory. The work is shared, and it is unending – as the oft-quoted truism of Rabbi Tafron in the Jewish Mishnah text Pirkei Avot goes, “You are not required to finish the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.” 

We hope, then, that you have found some nourishment for the long-haul work of liberation during these 30 Days of Love. We have been so blessed by the weekly offerings from this diverse group of bold, loving, faithful religious leaders. We hope as you’ve taken moments to drink in these blessings and practices and prayers and stories, you have felt as wrapped in love and as buoyed by feeling the web of connections that exist among us as we have. Please feel free to keep coming back to these resources throughout the year ahead – use them to start your day in your own spiritual practice, to provide grounding to your group before the meeting or workshop, or as an offering in communal worship. 

This week, we offer you a few final gifts: a prayer from Rev. Sofía Betancourt, a body practice from Rev. Leela Sinha, and a grounding meditation from Rev. Lynn Gardner . May they bless and fortify you. 

Beloveds, we are so grateful to be in the work of love and liberation together with you. Thank you for all the faithful ways you show up throughout the year, struggling for justice and blessing the world with care, hope, and love. 

May we all be transformed by liberating Love. 

In faith and solidarity,

Rev. Ashley Horan

Side With Love Organizing Strategy Director

We are delighted and honored to announce The Frontline’s Campain Director Tiffany Flowers will be the Keynote speaker for our Good Trouble Congregations Celebration on Tuesday, February 28 at 7pm ET/4pm PT.

She will join Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and other special guests, including our Good Trouble Congregations!

The Frontline was our lead partner in training crucial Election Defenders in 2020 and 2022, and is a powerful coalition made up of  Working Families Organization, Working Families Party, United We Dream Action, and by the Movement for Black Lives Electoral Justice Project. 

RSVP Now

“Speak up, speak out, get in the way. Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” Late Rep. John Lewis’ words call on us to find the moral courage to build democracy and society where all of us can thrive. It calls on us to be uncomfortable, to take risks, to engage our communities and face injustice with prophetic imagination and action.

From phonebanks, talking to neighbors, and showing up at the polls and drop boxes to protect voter access, the stories and activities of our UU the Vote community has been inspiring. On February 28, let us share those stories, celebrate our work, and prepare for the work ahead. Join us on February 28 at 7:00pm ET/6pm CT/5pm MT/4pm PT for the Good Trouble Celebration.

I'm In!

I came to activism late in life after retiring from a career in music and then technology.  I didn't know anything except that I wanted to do something to contribute to making the world more equitable for all.  Armed only with my lofty goals, I reached out to folx in the UU community, a little intimidated but willing to learn.  I was met with welcome, patience, humor and support by some extraordinary folx that had been doing this work for years.   

Now I coordinate Side With Love’s Skill Up Series, our monthly trainings on organizing skills to help YOU build stronger teams in your congregation and community.  When I think about our Skill Ups, they mirror my experience:  welcoming, fun, and educational offerings to help all of us get to a higher level in this work that we cherish of harnessing love’s power to stop oppression.

Will you join us this semester?

This Spring, our Skill Up Theme is "How to Talk About Hard Things.”  You are heartily invited to attend these very informative and rich workshops that not only cover high-level concepts but also offer practical guidance and hands-on practice. Each topic will be delivered by experts and long-time organizers with special knowledge and experience presenting:

• Feb 19 - Facilitation: Leading Gatherings with Grace and Impact, led by experienced facilitators Rev. Cathy Rion Starr, Side with Love Leadership Development Specialist; and Elisse Ghitelman, Side with Love Squad Leader 

• Mar 19 - Evaluation is an Act of Love, led by Sarah Berel-Harrop, Side with Love Squad and Texas UU Justice Ministry Leader

• Apr 23 - Facing the Apocalypse With a Smile, led by Rachel Myslivy, Side with Love Climate Justice Organizer  

• May 21 - What Do Impacted Communities Need - How Would I Know? Led by Rev. Michael Crumpler, UUA LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director 

All Skill Ups run 90 minutes starting at 4 ET • 3 CT • 2 MT • 1 PT 

These topics cover some of the most daunting challenges that we face going out in the world to do this work.  How can I design and hold really fun and impactful meetings - even when the subject matter is hard?  How do I give my colleagues feedback in a way that is loving and builds us up?  How in the world can I talk about climate change without sounding all doom and gloom?  How can I know what impacted folx really need before even thinking about how to engage?   

Our Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to be lifelong learners, and organizing traditions teach that we need to share what we know for our movements to grow.  We begin each session with grounding from our Fun & Spiritual Nourishment Squad volunteers and then dive into the training content.    

Our Skill Ups are our invitation into a regular practice of learning together.  Join us for one or all of these wonderful workshops! 

Will you join us this Sunday?

You can view and sign up for the events at sidewithlove.org/skillups.  We post all of our Skill Up recordings, slides and worksheets there too – so browse our Skill Up Library for more resources!  

We look forward to seeing you as we come together to learn and be energized!

In faith, love & learning,

 

Cal Ball

Side with Love Squad Skill Ups Coordinator

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Cal joined the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco in 2020 and since then, has worked as a squad volunteer with Side With Love supporting voting rights and voter mobilization initiatives through the UU the Vote campaign.  In his career, Cal worked as a professional musician and producer.  He was a staff songwriter for EMI Music Publishing and recorded albums for Atlantic, Universal Music Group, and Curb Records. Prior to his retirement, Cal also worked for a variety of technology companies in the California Bay Area.

Dr. Cornell West famously said, "Justice is what Love looks like in public."

At Side with Love, Justice is our primary focus. And we know that in order to keep showing up with our Love in public, we need to ground ourselves in love -- of ourselves and others. Will you join me in our Faithful Grounding to practice love next Thursday?

Beloved, do you find yourself in need of grounding in the love that allows you to act for justice?

I invite you to join me at this month's Side with Love Faithful Grounding Hour: an hour of spiritual sustenance and grounding with others organizing on the side of love hosted by our Fun & Spiritual Nourishment Squad.

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Faithful Grounding Hour

A MONTHLY GATHERING FOR SPIRITUAL NOURISHMENT

Thursday, February 23

4:30 PT / 5:30 MT / 6:30 CT / 7:30 ET

Sign Me Up

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Faithful Grounding begins with brief worship led by Rev. Kristina church and ends with a Connection Cafe for those who wish to talk together. Show up as you are, whatever is in your heart, and with your camera on or off as you need. This is a live, dynamic (and unrecorded) monthly gathering on the 4th Thursday of each month. Join us!

If you can't make it, or want more, our 30 Days of Love recordings are available to help nourish your spirit and give gratitude and affirmation.

May we, together, help Love flourish in private and in public.

With love and care,

Side with Love Fun & Spiritual Nourishment Squad

Come learn from Zoe Johnston, UU Young Adults for Climate Justice, about ways to engage young adults in your congregation, especially with your Green Sanctuary 2030 and other climate justice organizing.

How do we get young adults involved?  Where do we find them? 

How do we support them? 

In this Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting, we learned from Zoe Johnston with UU Young Adults for Climate Justice about ways to engage young adults in our congregations, especially with Green Sanctuary 2030 and other climate justice organizing.  

• View the webinar

• Download the slides

Zoe shared some helpful framing for effective YA leadership, including: 

• Timing:  hold meetings outside of school and work hours

• Accessibility: hold meetings on Zoom or in physically accessible spaces

• Focus:  the work of your group speaks to the lived experiences and material reality of young adults

• Dynamics:  Name any possible power dynamics that are play. When we are transparent, we can build deeper trust.

• Value the presence, input, and perspective of young adults!

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Join the Green Sanctuary Team meetings for shared learning and mutual support with other UUs working on congregational transformation through climate justice on the third Wednesday of the month at 8PM ET. Each meeting includes a short presentation on a climate justice topic, followed by open discussion on pressing needs. Find past meetings and register for upcoming ones at sidewithlove.org/climatejustice

It's an exciting time to be a climate activist.  After years of fighting for federal support for equitable clean energy, we're seeing historic investments with enormous potential.  For UUs, who have been leaders in the faith climate movement, now's our time to shine.  Think big.  Think systems.  Think resilience.  Think love.  Think of all the ways our congregations can be hubs of climate resilience and community care.    

How can we build our capacity as UUs to faithfully respond to these opportunities?  What would our communities look like if clean energy was a human right and all people could thrive?  With trainings on benchmarking and UU-specific funding strategies and leadership opportunities, we're skilling up to rise to the challenge! 

At the same time, we can't let our guard down in the fight for a future without fossil fuels that honors the interdependent web of existence and the inherent worth and dignity of all.  Join the movement to Stop Cop City with a week of Solidarity Actions - February 19-26.  Make the connections between Stop Cop City and the fight to stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline with a teach-in hosted by Protect Our Water, Heritage, Rights (POWHR).  Advocate for those impacted by the catastrophic environmental disaster in East Palestine, Ohio.   

When it comes to climate justice, we need to multitask.  With multiple, overlapping crises - healthcare, attacks on trans lives, housing inequality, racial injustice, threats to our democracy, and climate disruption everywhere we look, we need intersectional solutions informed by the lived experiences of those most impacted.  How can we do this when our volunteers are overextended, budgets are tight, and the problems are so complex?  Join other UUs transforming their congregations through climate justice.  Green Sanctuary 2030 (GS2030) provides a flexible, manageable, and impactful process to transform our congregations through climate justice. GS2030 teams come together for shared learning and mutual supports on topics like Young Adult Engagement, Collaborating on State Advocacy, and more.   

Together, we can advance a just and equitable transition to a fossil fuel free future where clean energy is a human right and all communities thrive.   

Join us! 

In community,

 Rachel Myslivy

Climate Justice Organizer

UUA Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team

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Webinar: Young Adults in UU Congregations: Not Just Committee Members!

Come learn from Zoe Johnston, UU Young Adults for Climate Justice, about ways to engage young adults in your congregation, especially with your Green Sanctuary 2030 and other climate justice organizing.

How do we get young adults involved?  Where do we find them? 

How do we support them? View the presentation.

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How can UUs access federal funding for solar or energy efficiency projects? 

With Justice 40, the Inflation Reduction Act, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)  there are so many opportunities for our congregations to be leaders in the transition to a just and equitable clean energy future!  There are opportunities for individuals, buildings, communities, and state/county/city level advocacy.  The UUA is partnering with Interfaith Power and Light, the Energy, Environment, and Study Institute and others to help UUs learn about and access these funds.  

• Watch the recording of Federal Funding for Energy Work at Houses of Worship

• RSVP for Planning the Energy Future of your Congregation on Tuesday, February 21 at 7ET

• Learn about UU-specific funding opportunities to leverage with federal funds for clean energy projects on Wednesday, April 19 at 7ET

• Stay tuned for future webinars and learning opportunities!

Are you an energy wonk with a knack for navigating federal policy?  Do you love helping others brainstorm opportunities for clean energy upgrades?  Or maybe you're just really excited about the IRA and other federal funding opportunities for equitable decarbonization? 

We're looking for a few good UUs to skill up our congregations on these amazing opportunities! 

Volunteer to help support shared learning and facilitate an emerging peer learning circle around federal opportunities to fund the clean energy transition.  Ready to jump in?  Email Environment@UUA.org!

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Get to know the new Green Sanctuary!

Are you thinking about joining the Green Sanctuary 2030 community?  GS2030 offers UU congregations a flexible, manageable, and impactful process to transform our congregations through climate justice.  GS2030 teams engage in four intersecting campaigns to advance climate justice, congregational transformation, adaptation and resilience, and mitigation.   

We hold GS2030 Orientations on the first Wednesday of the month and Community Meetings on the Third Wednesday of the month, both meetings are at 7ET.  Come together for shared learning and mutual support with other UUs working on congregational transformation through climate justice! 

You can RSVP for these and all of our climate justice events at SideWithLove.org/ClimateJustice!

When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something. – John Lewis

 Today would have been John Lewis’ 83rd birthday. Millions of people have been inspired by Lewis’ courageous commitment to racial justice and electoral justice. Along with other people of faith and conscience like James Reeb and Viola Liuzzo, John Lewis is a spiritual elder and ancestor who invites us to side with love rather than fear. 

Last year, hundreds of UU congregations and individual UUs worked tirelessly ahead of the 2022 election, which helped us reach more than 2 million voters during a time when voter suppression was strong. Inspired by Lewis’ famous quote – Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble. –  UU the Vote debuted Good Trouble Congregations, an ambitious effort for congregations to support democracy in their communities with the following goals:

• Average 20 postcards or letters per member

• Average 200 text messages per member

• Average 20 calls per member

• Average 20 doorknocks per member

• Reach 20 percent volunteer engagement

• Average 2 newly registered voters per member

• At least 2 congregants are line warmers, poll workers, or poll watchers

We are delighted and thrilled to announce the congregations who fulfilled 4 or more of the above criteria to become Good Trouble Congregations.

• Aiken Unitarian Universalist Church (SC)

• All Souls Church Unitarian (DC) 

• All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation (CO)

• Bay de Noc UU Fellowship (MI)

• Borderlands UU (AZ)

• Chalice UU Fellowship of the Conejo Valley (CA)

• Georgia Mountains Unitarian Universalist Church (GA)

• High Plains Church Unitarian Universalist (CO)

• Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church (WI)

• Unitarian Society of New Haven (CT)

• Unitarian Universalist Church of Surprise (AZ)

• Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg (SC)

• Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester (MA)

• Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica (CA)

• Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains (CA)

• Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport (CT)

• Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick (MD)

• Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady (NY)

• Universalist Unitarian Church of Farmington (MI)

• UU Congregation of Caldwell County (NC)

• UU Congregation of Phoenix (AZ)

• UU Fellowship of Marshfield (WI)

• UU Westside Congregation (NM)

• Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation (AZ)

Join us on February 28 at 7:00pm ET/6pm CT/5pm MT/4pm PT for the Good Trouble Congregation Celebration. Come hear from partners, President Susan Frederick-Gray and keynote speaker Tiffany Flowers from The Frontline.  There will be a special recognition ceremony for congregations as well as folks who served as poll workers and Election Defenders. 

RSVP for the Good Trouble Congregation Celebration on February 28th!

led by experienced facilitators Rev. Cathy Rion Starr, Side with Love Leadership Development Specialist; and Elisse Ghitelman, Side with Love Squad Leader

• View the Skill up on Vimeo

• Skill Up Slide Deck - includes all the links & resources shared Sunday and those below 

• Chat thread from the training

• How to Facilitate Meetings the NO Magic way – 350.org – really solid & simple guide

• 350.org Online Training Monster Manual – Slide Deck Template with a lot of great online activities (See more Facilitation resources from 350.org)

•  Meetings that Work – UUA from 2005 – lots of good stuff, even though some is outdated

More Tools: 

• Building Safety In a Group – Training for Change Handout

• Sequencing Activities in a Workshop – Training for Change handout

•  Liberating Structures - an app & website with lots of exercises/tools for conversation

• Public Speaking & Facilitation workshop YOU can lead with your folks

CFJ's Facilitation Tips (from Californians For Justice, where Rev. Cathy got their organizing training)

 Welcoming and Warming up Participants

• Make people feel welcomed. Go up to people you don’t know, talk, make sure no one feels left out or alone – help cliques break up. 

• Pick an effective icebreaker. Get people to loosen up, and interact with each other. Re-seat people and mix up groups so they get to know each other.

• Do a team building activity. This gets people involved together in a group activity and creates the importance of group teamwork. Debrief and reflect! 

Setting the tone

• Lively facilitation.  You have to convey your own energy and commitment for the topic that you are facilitation so others feel it too.

• Speak clearly and loudly. So that everyone can hear. 

• Pace your presentation so that it is not rushed. Give participants time to absorb and think about it so that they have time to ask questions before you move on.  

• Set agreements and stick to them! Use agreements to keep people on track. You can set agreements at the beginning of the session. 

Encourage participation and listening

• Reinforce participation. Look at participants when they speak. Nod in agreement. Smile! 

• Keep order. If there are many people that want to speak, say & write their names down in a “stack” & call them to speak in order. 

• Diversify speakers. Make sure that the order you choose has a balance of men, women, people of color, youth speaking, etc. Make sure you are valuing a diversity of opinions.

• Make sure people can hear each other.  Ask a participant who is speaking quietly to speak up . Say things like “Did everyone hear that? 

• Make sure that participants respond to each other’s comments. Keeps the participants responding to each other rather than to just the facilitator.

• Call for a go-around. If you want to make sure everyone has a chance to speak to the topic, call for a “go-around” to have each participant speak, or pass 

Presentation and Move it Forward Tips

• Use visual aides to help clarify points and make things more interesting. Write legibly and large and make sure everyone can see it.

• Summarize main points to move discussion forward. After everyone has spoken, pause and summarize the main points so that people have a clear idea of what has been said. 

• Find the proposal. The facilitator’s job is to “find” the proposal – to pull together ideas and present it to the group.

• Keep comments to the point. If someone brings up an issue that doesn’t relate to the topic, respectfully ask them to hold that point, or “park it” for later discussion. 

• Create Next Steps: never let anyone leave the meeting before reaffirming the commitments (sign ups) they have made.

Thanks to Cal Ball, Paige Bacon, Barb Rodman, Lora Powell-Haney, and Wendy Weirick for volunteering with our Squads to make our training smooth.  

Future Skill Ups

Mar 19 - Evaluation is an Act of Love Apr 23 - Facing the Apocalypse With a Smile

On February 21, 2023, Side With Love Create Climate Justice, Interfaith Power & Light, and others hosted a webinar on Planning the Energy Future of Your Congregation. 

Learn about the importance of benchmarking your facilities’ energy use to shape your congregation’s plan to cut energy costs and care for our sacred Earth. This is the first step to making a plan to take advantage of federal funding, like the Inflation Reduction Act. Presenters include: Jerry Lawson, National Manager of EPA’s Energy Star for Small Businesses and Congregations; Sarah Paulos, Interfaith Power & Light’s Cool Congregations Program Director and Tom Hackley from People’s Church of Kalamazoo, MI. This webinar is part of a series hosted by Interfaith Power & Light and our faith partners.

• watch the Recording,

• review the Resources, and

• RSVP for upcoming events!

Big kudos to the People's Church of Kalamazoo Michigan, a UU Society, for sharing their journey to Net Zero!  If you were there live, you probably noticed how many UUs were in attendance!  Go team! 

Are you an energy wonk with a knack for navigating federal policy?  Do you love helping others brainstorm opportunities for clean energy upgrades?  Or maybe you're just really excited about the IRA and other federal funding opportunities for equitable decarbonization?  We're looking for a few good UUs to support shared learning around federal opportunities to fund the clean energy transition. Email Environment@UUA.org for more information.

While I wish I had something pretty or pithy to observe about spring in the Northern Hemisphere, I’m mostly thinking about the amount of live programming blossoming right in front of us. Through partnership with congregations, individual UUs, and our UU State Action Networks, we’re all able to “take shifts for the revolution,” as Rev. Ashley Horan says. I see the evidence of that daily in the stories and updates from around the country of UUs and other people of faith and conscience who are fighting for our trans beloved and who are fiercely resisting legislative attacks on climate, decriminalization, and trans children and families. (If you haven’t yet, read the beautiful op-ed by Rev. Sara LaWall from Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, ID about why her faith demands she protect and affirm her trans child.)

This month, we have opportunities for faithful and faith-filled actions for justice and rejuvenation. Please share in your congregation and community. 

In faith and solidarity,

Audra Friend

Digital Communications, Data, and Technology Specialist

Side With Love 

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Wednesday, March 15, 2023 7 -  8:30 PM ET / 6 CT / 5 MT / 4 PT

Connecting with State Action Networks on Climate Advocacy

Online

UU State Action Networks do powerful justice work across the country. How can your congregation engage with your State Action Network on climate justice advocacy and actions? Join Deb Cruz and Rev. Lisa Sampson Garcia to learn more! --- Join the Green Sanctuary Team meetings for shared learning and mutual support with other UUs working on congregational transformation through climate justice on the third Wednesday of the month at 8PM ET. Each meeting includes a short presentation on a climate justice topic, followed by open discussion on pressing needs. Register here.

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Sunday, March 19, 2023 4 - 5:30pm ET / 3 CT / 2 MT / 1 PT 

Skill Up: Evaluation is an Act of Love

Online

In this skill-up, you will practice ways to bring debrief culture and loving feedback to your own context. We need to be able to speak directly and frankly to each other about what we want and need from each other, what we think could be done differently, as well as celebrating our successes. Every time we love one another enough to offer debrief and appreciation, we deepen our relationships and the power of our collective. We can create groups and communities grounded in relationship and trust. Thus, we can meet the justice work of the moment powerfully and nimbly. Register here.

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Wednesday, March 22, 2023 8 -  9:30 PM ET / 7 CT / 6 MT / 5 PT

The Body Politic: Faithful UUs Showing up for Trans Justice

Online

UUs have long been part leaders in powerful multifaith movements fighting for trans and queer rights and liberation. Join UPLIFT Action and Side With Love staff for this webinar, lifting up the faithful work UUs are engaging in right now in the context of the wave of hateful legislation and violence against trans and queer people. We'll hear stories from congregations and State Action Networks on the ground, and point toward ways you and your community can take meaningful action. Register here.

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Thursday, March 23, 2023 7:30 -  8:30 PM ET / 6:30 CT / 5:30 MT / 4:30 PT

Faithful Grounding

Online

Join our Side with Love Fun & Spiritual Nourishment Squad for an hour of spiritual sustenance and grounding with others organizing on the side of love. Come drink in the music, meditation, play, and prayer. We end with a Connection Cafe for those who wish to talk together. Show up as you are, whatever is in your heart, and with your camera on or off as you need. Register here.

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Friday, March 31st at 8pm ET / 7 CT / 6 MT / 5 PT

UUA Trans Day of Visibility Virtual Party for Trans/Nonbinary Families

Online

As legislators pass harmful laws in states all across the country and as people of faith and no-faith fight back, we want to remind transgender/nonbinary families that they are not alone. Register here.

As Unitarian Universalists we believe that every body is sacred. This will be a time of reflection, celebration, and renewal as we prepare for what is and whatever is coming our way.

*NOTE: This space is intentionally multi-generational. It is open to and welcoming of trans/nonbinary elders as well as children, youth, and young adults. Standard UUA online safety measures apply to ensure all people under 18 are able to attend. We're glad to have you here! 

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Saturday, April through Monday, April 3

Intergenerational Spring Seminar: Demilitarization & Abolition: Resist Policing and Empire

Online and in-person, Minneapolis, MN

This year's UU@UN Intergenerational Spring Seminar has the theme of “Demilitarization & Abolition: Resist Policing and Empire,” and takes place both in-person in Minneapolis and online April 1-3.

As an intergenerational event, Youth are especially encouraged to attend!

Militarized policing is a dire problem both in the U.S. and globally, and this year's Seminar aims to help us increase our understanding of abolition and equip ourselves with skills to take action. Our keynote will be given by Andrea Ritchie, co-author of No More Police, and other programming will offer a mix of workshops, worship, and debrief. 

Registration is tiered with a free, no-cost option for those who need it! Learn more and register here.

This month's Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting, Connecting with State Action Networks on Climate Advocacy, highlighted ways to engage with UU State Action Networks to advocate for policies that reduce emissions at the local, state, and national levels.  Special thanks to Deb Cruz from JUUstice Washington and Rev. Lisa Sampson-Garcia from UU Justice Ministry of North Carolina for leading the conversation! 

UU State Action Networks do powerful justice work across the country, and they offer timely information on actions affecting your community, including: 

• Resources and research on justice issues.

• A community of like-minded folks you can activate for specific events.

• Support and guidance for getting your congregation involved in justice work at the local level.

• Justice-oriented worship services to inspire and inform your congregation.

• Professional development and networking opportunities.

If you’re interested in getting involved with legislative advocacy and justice work that impacts your local community, find the SAN nearest you or consider starting your own!  

What’s Next?

We've got some excellent opportunities for shared learning and mutual supports in our upcoming Green Sanctuary 2030 Community meetings!  RSVP today!

April 19: Solar 101 + IRA Funds!  Michael Cohen, Solar United Neighbors, will give a quick primer on Solar for congregations and share a little about the process the First Unitarian Church of Orlando is going through to consider installing solar with IRA funds.   

May 17: Funding for Congregational Clean Energy & Climate Solutions UUA’s Executive Vice President, Carey McDonald, will share UU-specific funding mechanisms to use in conjunction with the Federal Funding opportunities to advance equitable clean energy and climate justice.  We encourage you to watch the recent webinar on Planning the Energy Future of Your Congregation to prepare for this conversation. 

**We're planning to host peer learning circles to support congregations considering IRA funding for clean energy & Climate solutions.  Email Environment@UUA.org for more info!

June 19: Climate Justice Brainstorm!  For many Green Sanctuary Teams, the Justice campaign is the most challenging and also the one with the most room for growth and collaboration.  Bring your questions and ideas and join the conversation!  

You can RSVP for these and all of our climate justice events at SideWithLove.org/ClimateJustice

Providing honest, caring, and timely feedback is essential to nurturing trust. That’s why we believe Evaluation is an act of Love.

We need to be able to speak directly and frankly to each other about what we want and need from each other, what we think could be done differently, as well as celebrating our successes. Every time we love one another enough to offer debrief and appreciation, we deepen our relationships and the power of our collective. We can create groups and communities grounded in relationship and trust. Thus, we can meet the justice work of the moment powerfully and nimbly. In this skill-up, you will practice ways to bring debrief culture and loving feedback to your own context.

• Watch the presentation

• View the slides

• Download the handout (with exercises)

Sarah Berel-Harrop, Side with Love Squad and Texas UU Justice Ministry Leader

About Sarah

I'm the Intern Minister at the Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry and a seminarian at Meadville Lombard Theological School. I grew up UU in Houston, Texas. During the 2020 election cycle, I became deeply active with UU the Vote and appreciated the leaderful learning culture. I'm passionate about nurturing groups and communities grounded in relationship and trust that offer alternatives to paradigms of domination and control.

Find past and upcoming skill ups here.

On Monday, three adults and three children were killed at an elementary school in Nashville, TN in a mass shooting that also left the shooter dead. With rage and heartbreak, we acknowledge this horrific act of violence: both the unique, precious lives taken and the all-too-common manner in which this violence was perpetuated.

Our hearts are with the loved ones of those who were killed; with the school and the community who must pick up the shattered pieces in the wake of tragedy; and with all those for whom this latest act of violence will re-expose layers of trauma and grief caused by too many other similar atrocities. 

As a nation, we have developed patterns when it comes to acts of mass gun violence generally (this is the 130th so far in 2023), and school shootings particularly. We now have muscle memory of what it will feel like in the coming days as we watch pundits argue about gun control, assault weapons bans, mental health services, school security, and the Second Amendment. 

And, because the Nashville shooter has been identified as a transgender person, the white nationalist Christian right is already spewing bigotry and fear to further promote their deadly anti-trans and pro-gun agenda. By focusing on the identity of the shooter in this case and ignoring the fact that the vast majority of mass shooters are white cis men, the forces of white nationalist Christianity are working to intentionally distract us from their own culpability in creating the very conditions that enable attacks like this.

This is a moment in which there are significantly more mass shootings in America than days in the calendar year. It is a moment in which physical, legislative, religious, and political attacks against trans and nonbinary people are rampant. And it is a moment in which both gun violence and trans identity and rights are starkly polarized issues being weaponized by politicians while real people die. 

In this cultural context, it is our moral duty to declare that the real threat to the safety of our children and our communities comes from white Christian nationalism, not trans and nonbinary people. Let us be clear: if we truly want all of our children to be safe, we must fight to eradicate the intertwined cultures of gun worship and transphobia that permeate this country. 

In the coming days, we can all find ways to build connection, resist the deadly narratives being spun, and take action. We can sharpen our understanding of the connections between white Christian nationalism, gun violence, and the wave of anti-trans legislation sweeping the country. We can amplify our UU values and counter the deadly narratives of white Christian nationalism by demanding congress pass a nationwide ban on assault weapons, writing a letter to the editor to support and defend trans and nonbinary people, hosting a local event lifting up the ways white Christian nationalism is the true threat to our children, our communities, and our democracy.

To our trans and nonbinary beloveds: as our friends at the Trans Resistance Network noted today, “It is a testament to the inner strength and beauty of transgender people, that despite the overwhelming odds of homelessness, job discrimination, and constant anti-trans bigotry and violence, so many of us continue to persevere, survive, and even thrive. We will not be eradicated or erased.”  Please consider joining our monthly UPLIFT gatherings for trans and nonbinary UUs to build connection, community, and mutual support. Celebrate trans resilience at our upcoming Trans Day of Visibility celebration for trans/nonbinary families, and learn more about the faithful work UUs are doing right now in the context of the current wave of anti-trans violence and legislation. If you are struggling and need crisis support, find a variety of offerings listed on this page (NOTE: scroll to the bottom of the page for links). 

In the midst of all we are up against, we are grateful to be in the struggle together with you, today and for the long haul. 

In faith and solidarity,

The Side With Love Team 

UUs have long been part leaders in powerful multifaith movements fighting for trans and queer rights and liberation. Join UPLIFT Action and Side With Love staff for this webinar, lifting up the faithful work UUs are engaging in right now in the context of the wave of hateful legislation and violence against trans and queer people. We'll hear stories from congregations and State Action Networks on the ground, and point toward ways you and your community can take meaningful action.

• View the recording

Speakers included:

• Rev. Erin Walter, Texas UU Justice Ministry

• Rev. Jami Yandle, Texas UU Justice Ministry

• Alex Kapitan, Transforming Hearts Collective

• Rev. Elizabeth Mount, UU Church of Cheyenne, WY

• Congregational Leaders from Tennessee Valley UU Church, Knoxville, TN

• Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson, UU Justice Ministry of North Carolina

• DL Helfer, TRUUsT

• Steven Leigh Williams, TRUUsT

• Adrian Ballou, UUA LGBTQ and Multicultural Ministries

• Rev. Ashley Horan, Side With Love

• Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, Side With Love UPLIFT Action

Recommended Resources and Tools

• New Resource - Making a Difference With Our Words: Tools to help UUs thwart anti-transgender bills and attacks

• Recording & Resources from “Combatting Anti-Trans Legislation 101 Training” 

• Recording & Resources from “Speak Up for Trans Lives: Spokesperson Training” 

• Transforming Hearts Collective

• TXUUJM & Transforming Hearts Collective Partnerships

• Subscribe to TXUUJM Newsletter

• Host a Children's Diversity & Justice Library

• 2021 Action of Immediate Witness: “Defend and Advocate with Transgender, Nonbinary, and Intersex Communities”

• Find a Drag Story Hour Chapter near you

• Read the TRUUsT Report 

• UPLIFT Transgender / Nonbinary Monthly Gatherings 

• Trans/Nonbinary UU Pastoral Care Space for Children, Youth, Adults

• Resource Roundup for Advocating For Trans Lives

• Further reading on the UPLIFT Gatherings

• Support Trans UUs in Florida

• Subscribe to UPLIFT Action

• 5 Practices of Welcome Renewal for Congregations

• Connect with Your UU State Action Network

Happy Earth Week! For environmentalists, the month of April means there’s an event every day of the week - sometimes several! With all of the Earth Day Celebrations, we wanted to pop into your inbox to highlight a few of our favorites.

In collaboration with UU organizations and national partners, Side With Love is here to help you balance the urgent need for political education and mobilization with spiritual nourishment and leadership development. This week, you can nourish your spirits at the Active for Earthcare Service with the UU Ministry for Earth, develop your leadership skills at the Side With Love April Skill Up: Facing the Apocalypse with a Smile with yours truly, educate yourself on Solar 101 + IRA funds with the First Unitarian Church of Orlando, and mobilize with UUs for Social Justice on the Farm Bill, and with People vs. Fossil Fuels to End the Era of Fossil Fuels! Join us!

In community,

Rachel Myslivy

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Spiritual grounding & nourishment

UU Ministry for Earth Earth Day service: April 20 at 5PT - 6MT - 7CT - 8ET

Our faith calls us into relationship with the sacred elements of Earth and to put power in the hands of the many and not the few. This Earth Day, join the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth in meditation, song, and stories to honor nature’s elements and become Active for Earthcare – a call to engage in the face of the climate crisis. This worship structure may be a bit different from what you are used to — lean into it and enjoy the journey!

You can join the service live on April 20th, 8pm EST/7pm CST/6pm MT/5pm PST or use the resources on whatever Sunday works best for your congregation’s worship calendar. Once your congregation is registered, the videos will be sent to you on April 7, 2023. Register today!

Political education

Solar 101 + IRA funds: April 19 at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET (90 mins)

Michael Cohen, Solar United Neighbors, will give a quick primer on Solar for congregations and share a little about the process the First Unitarian Church of Orlando is going through to consider installing solar with IRA funds. Join the Green Sanctuary Team meetings for shared learning and mutual support with other UUs working on congregational transformation through climate justice on the third Wednesday of the month at 7PM ET. Each meeting includes a short presentation on a climate justice topic, followed by open discussion on pressing needs. Register today.

Skill building & leadership development

Facing the Apocalypse with a Smile: April 23 at 1PT - 2MT - 3CT - 4ET

Everywhere you look the world is on fire! Sometimes you just want to scream at the top of your lungs, “Everything is bad! Do something! AAUGH!!!!” That urgency is real, and also maybe not the best way to communicate about the issues - or to take care of yourself! 

Rachel Myslivy, Side with Love Climate Justice Organizer, will help you learn ways to manage yourself and engage others as you effectively advocate for justice and work for a thriving world for all. Our Unitarian Universalist faith calls us to be lifelong learners, and organizing traditions teach that we need to share what we know for our movements to grow. Our Squad Skill Ups are a monthly series of trainings on organizing skills to help build our UUtheVote and Side with Love Volunteer Squads and help YOU build stronger teams in your congregation and community. Skill Ups occur the 3rd Sunday of most months. Register today.

Take Action

Mobilize with UUSJ to Advocate for the Farm Bill

The Farm Bill presents a critical opportunity to advocate for a climate-smart agricultural sector that advances justice. We want and need a proposal that moves the agricultural sector in a sustainable and regenerative direction. As faith advocates, we have a moral imperative for a greener Farm Bill and kick-start a multi-cycle effort to push the sector and our food systems in the direction of solutions.

• Review UUSJ’s issue Handout

• Send a message using their online letter platform

• Distribute an Action Poster so others can do the same.

• Join virtual Hill Visits with UUSJ: fill out the meeting interest form HERE or email advocacy@uusj.org.

Mobilize to End the Era of Fossil Fuels with People vs. Fossil Fuels

April 19 at 5PT - 6MT - 7CT - 8ET - Register here

The 350 Network Council, Center for Popular Democracy, Climate Organizing Hub, Honor the Earth, and People vs Fossil Fuel partners are co-hosting the Era of Fossil Fuels Mobilization Call on April 19th at 5pm PT/ 8pm ET on Zoom. This call is meant to welcome folks who have been brought into the movement by the Biden Admin’s disastrous decision to approve the Willow project in Alaska and help them plug into the movement to End the Era of Fossil Fuels around the country. This event will inform attendees about the PvFF campaign and our broader strategy–particularly our commitment to climate justice and solidarity with Black and Indigenous leaders who have driven this work for generations.

(Yes, we know this conflicts with our Solar 101 + IRA Funds! You can join Solar 101 first, then hop over to this one!)

Everywhere you look the world is on fire! Sometimes you just want to scream at the top of your lungs, “Everything is bad! Do something! AAUGH!!!!” That urgency is real, and also maybe not the best way to communicate about the issues - or to take care of yourself! In our April Skill Up, learn some ways to manage yourself and engage others as you effectively advocate for justice and work for a thriving world for all with Side With Love Climate Justice Organizer Rachel Myslivy.

• View the recording

• View the slides

Put It In Practice!

Skill Up Followup Practice Session

May 1 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm PT

This Followup to April's Skill Up is a practice session for folks who came to the Skill Up live or have watched the recording. If you did not attend live, please watch the recording prior to this session. Come practice having conversations that effectively engage others and keep you grounded as we together seek to effectively advocate for justice and work for a thriving world for all. Register to join live.

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Register for upcoming Skill Ups and view past ones at sidewithlove.org/skillups.

Michael Cohen, Solar United Neighbors, gave an overview on Solar for congregations and share a little about the process the First Unitarian Church of Orlando is going through to consider installing solar with IRA funds.

You can watch the presentation and check out Michael’s Handy Links for UU Congregations on Energy Efficiency & Solar.  

What’s Next?

What next?  Join us in May to learn about how you can leverage UUA funding options with IRA funds for an even bigger impact.  On May 17 at 7ET for Carey McDonald, UUA Executive Vice President, will discuss IRA funds and UUs: Funding Clean Energy and Climate Solutions!  With 30% direct pay options for churches and nonprofits, IRA funds present a great opportunity for UUs to reduce our carbon footprint while cultivating communities of care and prioritizing climate justice. Even better, the UUA has funding options to help you maximize IRA funds! Register Now

About Green Sanctuary 2030

Are you thinking about joining the Green Sanctuary 2030 process?  Come to an orientation to learn more and get started!  Orientations are the first Wednesday of each month at 7ET.  Sign up for these and all Climate Justice events at https://sidewithlove.org/climatejustice.

 

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Find our other climate justice and Green Sanctuary 2030 webinars here.

Biden promised to be a climate president – yet under his watch, the U.S. continues to be the biggest producer of oil and gas in the world. In the first few years of his term, he approved more lease sales for new oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters than Trump. And his administration has approved new oil and gas projects, like the Willow oil drilling project in Alaska and multiple oil and gas export terminals in the Gulf. Global scientists have been abundantly clear – we cannot avoid the very worst impacts of the climate crisis if we allow for any more fossil development.

UUs, it’s time to show up!  

This June, People vs. Fossil Fuels are mobilizing to turn up the heat and make Biden take real climate action – by ending the era of fossil fuels.  Join us for a national week of action  June 8th - 11th 2023 to demand Biden use his executive powers to end the era of fossil fuels and declare a climate emergency! 

With mobilization tools like individual coaching, communication templates, action plans, and more, PvFF and partners are supporting folks to host bold, creative, and disruptive actions to lift up their local fights against oil and gas developments.  

May Mobilization Call

Join Side With Love, UUMFE, and People vs. Fossil Fuels for a conversation about the campaign, distributed actions, and supports available, including coaching and movement chaplaincy for UUs.  This will be an open space for UUs to come together and discuss plans for End the Era of Fossil Fuels Distributed Actions

Hosted by  Side With Love, UU Ministry for Earth, and People vs Fossil Fuels, the webinar included an overview of the campaign, ways you can bring the action into your congregation, and opportunities for Movement Chaplaincy support for UUs engaging in the actions.  

• Watch the recording

• Review the slides

Action Steps:

1. Review the Action Toolkit for planning your action

2. Add your event to the Action Map or join an existing effort in your area https://tinyurl.com/actionmap-EndtheEra

3. If you’re hosting an event, request coaching support from PvFF 

4. Join PvFF Action trainings 

5. RSVP for Movement Chaplaincy with UUMFE to prepare: May 30, 2023 4PT-5MT-6CT-7ET

6. Add Your Event to the Side With Love Action Center so other UUs can find you!

7. Tell us what you did!  Add your action to the Side With Love Story & Report form

8. RSVP for Movement Chaplaincy to debrief: June 15, 2023  4PT-5MT-6CT-7ET

Before the landmark 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade made abortion legal across the United States, clergy from a wide variety of religious traditions developed a coordinated, skilled, responsive underground network that supported people experiencing "problem pregnancies" to access abortion care from trustworthy doctors and medical professionals. This network of more than 1400 clergy and hundreds of providers -- which included many Unitarian Universalists -- helped hundreds of thousands of people access safe abortions before the Roe decision.

Now, we look back at the Clergy Consultation Service to learn so we can prepare and coordinate to take risks again for reproductive justice. Let's learn our history to plan for our future.

Resources Mentioned

• UPLIFT Action’s Congregational Repro Justice Organizing Resources

• Sexing History Podcast

• Interactive Map of States' Abortion Access Status from Guttmacher

• SACReD: The Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity

• National Network of Abortion Funds 

• News Article: Missouri Clergy Lawsuit Challenging Abortion Ban

• The Lawyering Project

 If you were in the Clergy Consultation Service or were helped by them and want to share your story with Dr. Gillian Frank, please feel free to reach out at gfrank @ princeton.edu. 

Ready to Take Action?

Organize your congregational team to engage with our Reproductive Justice Congregational Organizing Series for Teams 2023. This three-session series includes all the resources and grounding for creating an accountable organizing plan.

The Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team is hiring!

Our Democracy Strategist will work with Unitarian Universalist individuals, congregations, and institutions to equip, engage and mobilize them for impactful, values-based pro-democracy organizing. This person will deepen collaborative organizing partnerships with secular and multifaith coalitions and organizations who are working on voting rights, electoral justice, building multi-racial democracy, and fighting authoritarianism and fascism.

If you have 5+ years’ experience with electoral and/or voting rights campaigns at the local, regional, and/or national level, look at the job description and apply!

Democracy Strategist

Title: Democracy Strategist

Location: Open*

Hours/Week: 35, with benefits

Purpose

To equip, engage, and mobilize Unitarian Universalist individuals, congregations, and institutions for impactful, values-based pro-democracy organizing through Side With Love’s campaigns and programs. To maintain and deepen collaborative organizing partnerships with secular and multifaith coalitions and organizations working in the areas of voting rights, electoral justice, building multi-racial democracy and fighting authoritarianism and fascism.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Serves as the lead strategist of the UU the Vote campaign; designs and leads the execution of a national, multi-strategy, hybrid program that engages our base to build power, deepen leadership capacity, and take impactful action in alignment with Unitarian Universalist values and pro-democratic movements for justice. Convenes the SWL team and related UUA partners to execute the strategy.

2. Creates year-round programming that incorporates longer-term democracy organizing with short-term campaign work related to electoral cycles, including primaries, direct democracy campaigns, ballot initiatives and referenda, and general elections.

3. Manages and develops strategic partnerships. Nurtures and serves as primary liaison for partnerships between UU congregations and statewide, regional and national partners within the broader ecosystem of pro-democracy and voting work.

4. Designs accessible, inspiring volunteer recruitment and training strategies that allow UUs with diverse identities, skills, capacities, and passions to meaningfully participate in electoral and pro-democracy work.

5. Identifies strategic opportunities within the democracy and voting rights landscape to mobilize UU communities for concrete, impactful, on-the-ground engagement with non-partisan campaigns in key places. In consultation with the Field Organizing team, identifies and provides direct support to these congregations/communities to develop leadership, grow capacity and skill, and mobilize in support of local and state campaigns and movements.

6. Engages in regular assessment of program effectiveness and impact, including qualitative and quantitative metrics. Provides comprehensive annual analysis and reporting on the overall program.

7. Oversees online programs that support UU the Vote leaders around the country, including coaching, political education, organizing training, and spiritual grounding. In consultation with Field Organizing Team, develops training programs to equip volunteer leaders and congregational teams with the concrete skills needed to develop organizing plans for their own religious communities, and effectively recruit and mobilize fellow congregants to carry out those strategies.

8. Plans and executes in-person and online gatherings to train, coordinate, and mobilize UUs and their partners at critical moments.

9. Supports the use and implementation of voter contact tools and other technologies, such as dialers, mobile apps, and the voter file for UU participants.

10. Stays up-to-date on electoral landscape and provides briefing for UUA staff, UU partners, and congregations.

11. Researches and analyzes electoral and voting rights landscape of target states.

12. Supervises UU the Vote Fellows, interns, and other UU the Vote-specific paid or volunteer staff.

13. Other responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

This is exempt Grade 12 position (expected hiring range of $62,000-$70,000 depending on experience). Note that qualifications may be met as a result of lived experience, volunteer work, professional experience, and/or formal or informal training. Requirements include:

• Must be able to work independently and be highly self-motivated, demonstrate creative problem-solving and excellent professional judgment, possess resiliency and ability to work in a rapidly changing and fast-paced environment

• 5+ years’ experience with electoral and/or voting rights campaigns at the local, regional, and/or national level

• Experience managing program or organization budgets

• Preferred proficiency with digital tools critical for organizing, such as EveryAction, VAN, Slack, dialers, Google Suite and social media platforms

• Excellent skills in building and maintaining partner and constituent relationships, including strong preference for experience working with faith leaders, congregations, and coalitions

• Commitment to developing organizing strategies and partnerships that align with Unitarian Universalist values and principles.

• Ability to act collaboratively and flexibly as a member of a remote staff team, including proficiency with technologies such as Google docs, Slack, Asana, Zoom, etc.

• Solid verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Proven ability to design and facilitate group experiences (in person and remotely) that engage, educate, and empower participants to deepen their leadership skills and mobilize others to work for justice.

• Deep commitment to countering systems of oppression and leading with intercultural fluency and humility. Worked or lived experience with Black/Indigenous/communities of color, LGBTQIA+ communities, and poor and/or rural communities is of particular value.

• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to travel if and when pandemic conditions allow

• Willingness to work with volunteers whose schedules require convening meetings and events on evenings or weekends.

* Location is open in the continental United States. You should have easy access to a major airport due to the travel requirements of this position.

How to Apply

People with disabilities, people of color, indigenous people, Hispanic/Latinx, and LGBTQ candidates are encouraged to apply. The UUA is committed to developing a diverse and talented staff team. If you are excited about this role, but are unsure whether you meet 100% of the requirements, we encourage you to inquire and/or apply. Send cover letter and résumé—indicating “Democracy Strategist ” in the subject line—via e-mail to careers @ uua.org, via fax to (617) 948-6467, or to Human Resources, UUA, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210. E-mail submissions preferred.

About the UUA

The Unitarian Universalist Association is a progressive religious denomination headquartered in Boston’s waterfront Fort Point Innovation District. Our faith community of more than 1,000 self-governing congregations brings to the world a vision of religious freedom, tolerance, and social justice. Our normal workweek is 35 hours, we pay 80% contribution towards health insurance premiums, 10% towards retirement (after one year), and have generous paid time-off policies.

We are a great place to work and we value diversity. The UUA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all. As part of this commitment, the UUA will ensure that applicants and staff with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations.

If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact the Office of Human Resources at (617) 948-4648 or humanresources@uua.org.

Proof of a full course vaccination against COVID-19 is a requirement of employment, in alignment with the UUA's commitments to science and equity, protecting those who are most vulnerable. Medical exemptions are considered upon recommendation from a provider.

Please contact the Office of Human Resources at (617) 948-4648 or humanresources@uua.org. For more information on the UUA, visit us online at UUA.org and uuworld.org.

Support for the Mission and Values of the Association

The Unitarian Universalist Association is a progressive and historic religious denomination. While it is not generally required or expected that an applicant/employee identify as a Unitarian Universalist (UU) or be a member of a UU congregation in order to work at the UUA, all UUA staff members are expected to perform their job duties in accordance with the UUA’s values, principles and mission. In particular the following points, drawn from the Seven UU Principles, are of particular importance for the UUA’s work environment and staff culture:

• The inherent worth and dignity of every human being: We affirm the need for a human-centered workplace that allows our diverse staff to flourish. We also understand that our wider culture and society oppresses and denies human dignity, and we seek to counter the effects of that oppression in our hiring and workplace culture so that each person feels whole and valued.

• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations, and the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all: We speak openly and publicly of our support for social and political issues, including LGBTQ equity, racial justice, climate justice, gender equity, and reproductive justice.

• The interdependent web of existence: We recognize that the liberation of all people is interwoven, and we work to counter patriarchy, white supremacy, colonialism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, environmental exploitation, and other interrelated systems of marginalization.

As part of this commitment, the UUA will ensure that applicants and staff with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.

Are you wondering if Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funds can transform your congregation? They can! With 30% direct pay options for churches and nonprofits, IRA funds present a great opportunity for UUs to reduce our carbon footprint while cultivating communities of care and prioritizing climate justice. Even better, the UUA has funding options to help you maximize IRA funds!

In this webinar, join Carey McDonald, UUA Executive Vice President, to learn about how you can leverage UUA funding options with IRA funds for an even bigger impact.

• Watch the presentation on Vimeo

• View the slides

• Federal Funding for Energy at Houses of Worship resource hub from Interfaith Power & Light

• Google Drive folder with resources shared at the meeting

Upcoming Webinars

• Abolitionist Visions for Climate Justice - May 25, 7ET

• Go Green to Get Green: How to get Energy Efficiency Grants for Congregations Webinar - June 1, 5ET

• Green Sanctuary 2030 Orientation - June 7 Green Sanctuary 2030 Orientation, 7ET

• Climate Justice Brainstorm! Green Sanctuary Community Meeting - June 14, 7ET

UUA Funding Opportunities

• UUA Loan and Grant Programs

• Faithify.org

• Chalice Lighter programs: 

  • Central East

  • Southern

  • MidAmerica

  • Pacific Western

Benchmarking resources

• Planning the Energy Future of your Congregation

• Calculating your Carbon Footprint with Russ Outcalt Video at Green Sanctuary Community Meeting

  • Spreadsheet 

• Interfaith Power and Light Cool Congregations Benchmarking resources 

• Energy Star for Congregations 

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• If you’re ready to join the process, please fill out the interest form 

• RSVP for climate justice events

•  Sign up for Green Sanctuary and Climate Justice emails

•  View previous webinars and trainings

Questions?  Email Environment@UUA.org

I love a good post-apocalyptic story.  I grew up on movies like Mad Max,  BladeRunner, and Soylent Green.  When Cli-Fi (Climate Fiction) became a named genre, I was elated to find a host of books curated for my particular weirdness like N.K. Jemisin’s Broken Earth series, Tatterdemalion by Sylvia Linsteadt, and of course, the life-changing Earthseed series by Octavia Butler.  (I confess, I don’t know if this prepares me for a lifetime working on climate justice or if it just gives me a reference point of “Whew, it’s not that bad, yet.”)  

Our society loves a good story of survival after collapse, but what about a vision where all beings thrive?

It seems easier to imagine the end of the world than to imagine a world without fossil fuels.  If we can so creatively imagine collapse, what would it look like if we similarly imagine renewal?  What if climate activists embraced the visionary reimaging we see in the abolition movement?  How can we reimagine a world with no fossil fuels, where clean energy is a human right and all beings thrive?

These are the questions of our times.  

“In order to build the movements capable of transforming our world, we have to do our best to live with one foot in the world we have not yet created…” Aurora Levins Morales

Imagine it's 2050 and we've achieved all of our wildest hopes for climate justice...what does it look like? Do we UUs have a vision of what a just climate future is? Without a clear vision of a world where all can thrive, we run the risk of prioritizing short-term gains, false solutions, legislative goals disconnected from cultural shifts, and distractions that divide our focus. 

I invite you to tune into Abolitionist Visions of Climate Justice this Thursday, May 25 at 7ET with Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, Ecowomanist theologian and sole candidate for UUA President*; Dr. Rashid Shaikh, director of science emeritus at the Health Effects Institute in Boston and co-convenor of the UU Ministry for Earth Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Caucus on Climate Justice; and Antoinette Scully, National Organizer for the UU Women's Federation. 

Together, these UU leaders will share their own abolitionist vision of climate justice while discussing what it means for UUs to hold these radical visions and what we need to do to realize this flourishing world.  

Following the webinar, Side With Love will host workshops to support UUs to host similar visions of climate justice in our own communities.  These visions can guide our conversations and shape our work to ensure that our movements are building a thriving future for all. 

* NOTE: This event is cosponsored by Side With Love, UU College of Social Justice, UU Ministry for Earth, UUs for Social Justice, and UUs for a Just Economic Community; and is not a campaign event

Yours in community

Rachel Myslivy

Climate Justice Organizer

As local governments are wielding extreme power over weak and vulnerable people, we need to be efficient and precise in our efforts to fight back and protect at-risk communities. Oftentimes, those who are in a position to support those who are at risk are not directly impacted by the harms that put them at risk. This can result in wasted energy, time, and resources. In this Skill Up, we will explore how we might ensure that our organizing/strategy efforts are rightly aligned so that impacted communities get what they need and that our energy, time, and resources are most effective.

Skill Ups are our monthly series of trainings on organizing skills to help build our UU the Vote and Side with Love Volunteer Squads and help YOU build stronger teams in your congregation and community. We'll start the session with some spiritual fun and then launch into our training. Find all our past trainings at sidewithlove.org/previous-skill-up-trainings

Imagine it's 2050 and we've achieved all of our wildest hopes for climate justice...what does it look like? The abolitionist movement imagines a future without police and prisons, drawing on deep convictions, faith, imagination, and hope to do so. The climate justice movement is diverse, vibrant, and equally hopeful: but do we UUs have a vision of what a just climate future is? Without a clear vision of a world where all can thrive, we run the risk of prioritizing short-term gains, false solutions, legislative goals disconnected from cultural shifts, and distractions that divide our focus.

Watch the recording of this radical gathering of thinkers for abolitionist visions of climate justice. Facilitated by Side With Love Climate Justice Organizer Rachel Myslivy, the panel will include Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, Ecowomanist theologian and sole candidate for UUA President*; Dr. Rashid Shaikh, director of science emeritus at the Health Effects Institute in Boston and co-convenor of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Caucus on Climate Justice; and Antoinette Scully, Faith-Based National Organizer for the UU Women's Federation. 

* NOTE: This event was sponsored by Side With Love and was not a campaign event

As UU congregations are increasingly being targeted by right wing hate, we anticipate an uptick in attention and disruptive tactics heading into Pride month. In this informal space for religious professionals, we will share some observations about patterns we're seeing on the national scale, point toward some existing resources for support, identify gaps, and make connections to fight back against overwhelm, fear, and isolation.

This was an informal gathering of religious professionals of many stripes from across the US, and we spent time sharing observations about the national context and emerging patterns among our congregations, offering some resources for congregations as you make plans for security and crisis response, and engaging one another’s experiences, wisdom, and questions to both foster connection and shape future resource and training creation at the UUA. We were grateful for all those who gathered in real time and are happy to share the video and collected links and resources offered yesterday. 

UNDERSTANDING THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE:

• GLAAD Anti-Drag Report

• Unbowed, Proud Boys are planning now for their biggest Pride Month disruptions ever, extremism watchdogs warn

• Fact Sheet: Anti-LGBT+ Mobilization on the Rise in the United States

• The Proud Boys seditious conspiracy trial is underway. But the new leadership has moved on from the 2020 election to LGBTQ issues.

• Far right protests targeting the LGBTQ community show a troubling correlation with violent attacks

• How to Stop Neo-Nazis from Crashing Pride Month

SECURITY AND PLANNING RESOURCES

NOTE: Many of these resources recommend or mention involving police or other law enforcement as a part of security responses. Rooted in our UU values and an ethic of aspiring abolitionism that yearns for a world in which policing and systems of punishment are not central to our society, we highly recommend ongoing conversations and praxis to help our UU communities understand safety differently and to move away from depending on law enforcement as our only form of crisis response. And, we recognize that in certain cases – sometimes at the urging of our partners – we do not currently have access to alternative infrastructure and viable safety structures, and therefore must work with police and other law enforcement. We urge UU communities and congregations to think critically and in advance about whether and when to engage with law enforcement, and to take into consideration the ways in which police often make people from targeted communities – especially trans and queer people – inherently more unsafe by their very presence. 

• Protecting Pride, An organizing guide for safely and successfully celebrating LGBTQIA2S+ joy in these times

• “Risk, Courage and Discernment: Spiritual Preparation”, an exercise by Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen

• Facilitation Guide for Congregational Conversations about Risk Discernment. From Side With Love. A guide for engaging congregations/congregations in their discernment of risk when planning action(s).

• Community Power & Resource Mapping: A Guide for Congregations. From Side With Love. A resource guide and assessment tool for supporting congregations in their identifying partnerships when planning actions.

• Southern Poverty Law Center & Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab: Two resources, one for Parents/Caregivers and the other for communities, which lay a foundation for understanding the nature of extremism, dynamics of radicalization, and steps you can take to prevent them from taking root in your community.

• Beginner Safety Planning for Pride Events

• Bard Center for the Study of Hate Releases New Community Guide for Opposing Hate Co-written by Western States Center and Montana Human Rights Network

• CISA Security Self-Assessment for Houses of Worship

• Best Practices for Security Houses of Worship (ASIS)

• ASIS International - Security Resources for Houses of Worship

• SURJ Community Safety Toolkit

• UUA Handbook for Training Manual for Ushers & Greeters

• UUA Safer Congregations Resources

• Anti-Doxing Guide for Activists Facing Attacks

• SPLC’s 10 Ways to Fight Hate

• FEMA/DHS Grants for Non-Profit Security

• Parasol Patrol

• DontCallThePolice.com - resources by city

• UUA Resources on Alternatives to Calling the Police

• Protecting Pride Events from Armed Extremist Activity

• Church Mutual: Ramp Up Your Cybersecurity

• Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Security Self-Assessment for Houses of Worship

DEESCALATION & SECURITY TRAININGS:

• DC Peace Team (Unarmed Civilian Protection, Peace & Deescalation Trainings)

• AVADE De-Escalation & Personal Security Training

• Sheepdog Church Security

As we approach the one-year anniversary of the Dobbs Decision (June 24) overturning Roe v. Wade, Side with Love offered this webinar to highlight reproductive justice and faith organizing on the ground in Pennsylvania and Ohio. Our speakers shared their proactive ongoing work, reactions to the new environment post-Dobbs, and what support and partnership looks like for them. Facilitated by Rev. Ashley Horan, Director of Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team; and Rev. Rob Keithan, Interim Steering Committee Co-Chair of SACReD, the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity and Minister of Social Justice at All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, DC.

• View the recording

We're especially grateful to guests Beulah Osueke, Deputy Director at New Voices for Reproductive Justice and Elaina Ramsey, Executive Director, Faith Choice Ohio. We recommend that you check out the training events offered by Faith Choice Ohio, especially their training on Self-Managed Abortion. 

For those of you registered for the UUA General Assembly 2023, make sure to log in to the Whova app and check out our Side WIth Love/UPLIFT Action on-demand workshop, “Organizing Your Congregation for Reproductive Justice.” 

REFERENCES FROM OUR CONVERSATION: 

• New Voices for Reproductive Justice (PA) 

• Faith Choice Ohio 

• SACReD, the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity . Click "Congregations" to learn more about the congregational designation programs and sign up to get more information about the 7-session SACReD curriculum.

• Side With Love’s UPLIFT Action campaign for LGBTQIA+, Gender & Reproductive Justice 

• If you are a registered Florida voter, please sign the petition to put abortion on the ballot!

by Rev. Ashley Horan, Organizing Strategy Director for Side With Love, Unitarian Universalist Association

In 1975, in the wake of the Roe decision, Anne Nicol Gaylor wrote Abortion is a Blessing as an antidote to the already-fervent activism of the radical religious right, working relentlessly to limit and ultimately eliminate the right to legal abortion in the US. In her introduction, she writes:

"The historic, compassionate Supreme Court ruling of Jan. 22, 1973, freed millions of women from sexual servitude and from the dangerous, traumatic search for illegal abortions. This ruling, our country's greatest step forward in social and moral progress since the abolition of slavery, must be protected politically by the activism of individuals who write letters to legislators, attend hearings, visit their Congresspersons, and support groups working to keep abortion safe and legal.

For the past five years I have been in daily contact with women seeking abortions, and I have learned, as I could in no other way, of the tragedies that have been avoided because abortions are available. The stories of the hundreds of women that I have counseled personally, and the thousands of women from all over the country that I have talked to on the phone, have resulted in my clear understanding that abortion is a positive thing, a cure, a blessing.

I have become impatient not only with those religious zealots who tiresomely hiss "Murderers, " but with those apologists who, while granting the right to abortion, insist that somehow a woman must feel guilt and remorse. I have come to suspect that the persons who refer to abortion as "a tragic option, " or "a terrible alternative, " hold allegiance not to women's freedom but to a male-dominated world gone by.

While recognizing that safe, sure contraception is a preferred alternative to abortion, I deal daily with the casualties of our "modern" contraceptive methods, and I recognize reality, that abortion does what contraception does not necessarily do: it works. I am further aware of the rigid, religious prohibitions against contraception of which certain women remain the victims. I know that far too many women in our country find contraception unavailable, especially if they are young or poor. I know that the teen- aged victim of incest can hardly be expected to be practicing contraception. And I have never heard of a rapist who used condoms.

In a sense I have been privileged to see firsthand the great need for abortion, and I have written this book to share my feelings and experiences so that others might come to see why abortion is a blessing, not only for women but for society. It is my hope that those who read this book will join in the effort to keep abortion safe and legal until that idealistic time when education, medical research, and human behavior combine to make abortion obsolete. "

When the Reproductive Justice movement was founded by twelve Black women activists, theologians, and organizers in the 1990s, they argued that the frame of "choice" -- including arguments that abortion should be "safe, legal, and rare" made by the (largely white, largely-upper-class feminist) pro-choice and reproductive rights movement -- was irrelevant for many people, particularly Black women, for whom the "choice" to get an abortion was never possible, regardless of legal status, because they could not gain access to abortion care. Instead, they argued, "Reproductive Justice is the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, not have children, and parent the children we have in safe and sustainable communities. " Bodily autonomy -- the right to not only make choices about what happens to one's own body, but the resources and support to follow through on those choices and thrive -- is a basic human right, and liberatory in and of itself.

The pro-choice movement has, unfortunately, bought into the frame and the premise set by the radical right. Frequently, liberals have implicitly given credence to the right's false arguments about abortion causing medical and psychological trauma by talking about abortion as a "last resort. " The Reproductive Justice movement teaches us that stigmatization of abortion -- alongside all the societal factors that make every choice in an unwanted pregnancy a difficult one, from a broken healthcare system to religious intolerance to lack of support for parents to poverty to mass incarceration -- are actually what is traumatizing to people who do not want to be pregnant.

Religious people of many traditions have frequently said that because of all this, abortion is indeed a blessing. Access to safe and compassionate medical care, the ability to have agency over one's own body, the dignity of self-determination for oneself and one's family, direct experience and conscience as profound sources of wisdom in living our lives -- all of these are gifts endowed upon every human by the creative force of the universe and the spirit.

To share a bit of my personal story, I myself have had three abortions in the course of creating my family -- two after what are known as "chemical pregnancies, " when an embryo fails to develop and ends in miscarriage, and another that saved my life when I had an ectopic pregnancy that ruptured my fallopian tube and almost killed me. Those were three of the most difficult and painful experiences of my life -- and I am incredibly clear that abortion is what allowed me to survive, and to go on to give birth to my youngest child.

My partner openly shares the story of being 15 in 1973, knowing she was queer, and having sex with a boy to "try it out, " and getting pregnant; with the help of a neighbor, she was able to get a safe, newly-legal abortion at a local clinic. She reflects on how the entire trajectory of her life would have been different -- so much harder -- had she not received the blessing of an abortion then. We both celebrate abortion as a blessing that has allowed us and our family to "have life, and have it more abundantly, " to quote the Christian scriptures.

There are so many reasons abortion can be a blessing in someone’s life:

Abortion is a blessing to the person already parenting three children and worrying about how they will buy their groceries if they have one more mouth to feed.

Abortion is a blessing to the person who has never wanted and will never want to be a parent, for whatever constellation of reasons.

Abortion is a blessing to the person whose mental health is dependent on medications that they would have to stop taking to have a baby.

Abortion is a blessing to the person who receives the gut-wrenching news that if they carry their much-wanted pregnancy to term, their child will be born with a medical condition that is incompatible with life, and they would have to experience their child dying in their arms minutes after birth.

Abortion is a blessing for the high schooler who desperately wants to be a parent someday but knows they will be able to give their children a much more stable life and a much more mature parent if they wait until theyre older.

Abortion is a blessing to the person who has just been diagnosed with cancer, and would have to put off life-saving treatment to carry a pregnancy.

Abortion is a blessing to the person who is clear they are done having children, and their energy is devoted to their career or their art or their adolescent kids or taking care of their own aging parents.

Of course people who have abortions experience a wide range of emotions before, during, and after, for a myriad of incredibly complex reasons. There are certainly a very few people who regret abortion afterward (folks the religious right loves to lift up), but the majority of people who experience sorrow, grief, despair, and isolation are mourning not abortion itself, but the circumstances in which the abortion became the right or only decision for them. Violence, abuse, trauma, poverty, instability, racism, ableism -- these are the real causes of despair.

Blessings are not always joyful, but they always support human thriving and freedom. As Rev. Katey Zeh, CEO of the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC) puts it, What I've learned in talking to people is that abortion can be a blessing. [... ] Abortion can save lives. Abortion can affirm life. Abortion can be a positive parenting decision. So using a word like rare in that context is actually quite harmful to the broader reproductive freedom movement.

As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that every person is endowed with inherent worth and dignity, which means that our bodies and our spirits are sacred -- we are created for thriving, for pleasure, for freedom. And, we believe that all of us are endowed with the twin gifts of agency and conscience, which means that we are born with both free will and the ability to discern, individually and in community, how to use that freedom. In the context of this theological anthropology (what we believe about human nature and our bodies), we absolutely believe that abortion is a blessing because it is one of many many many pathways toward honoring the sacredness of our bodies and helping us create lives of freedom and thriving.

We know we need to focus on climate justice, but where do we start? For many Green Sanctuary Teams, the Justice campaign is the most challenging and also the one with the most room for growth and collaboration.  View the recording for our June community gathering in which we discussed and brainstormed how to enact climate justice in our congregations and communities.

• View the slides

As UU congregations are increasingly being targeted by right-wing hate, all of our congregations should be prepared to respond to threats with skill and courage while also remaining grounded in our values. In this space for all religious professionals, UUA staff from Congregational Life, LGBTQIA+ & Multicultural Ministries, Safer Congregations, and Side With Love shared observations about trends on the national scale, offered resources for assessing security threats/creating safety plans/discerning and growing risk tolerance, and building connections to fight back against overwhelm, fear, and isolation.

Find our catalog of extensive resources and recommendations at our Responding to Threats page (found under the Programs & Resources menu).

In her 2023 Berry Street essay, the Rev. Cecilia Kingman reflects upon the rise of authoritarianism, right-wing ideology, and fascism both within Unitarian Universalism and in the wider world. In this first session, join Rev. Kingman and the Side With Love team for an interactive opportunity to engage with this essay and the kinds of faithful responses it demands on behalf of our UU faith.

PRE-REQUISITE: Watch or read the 2023 Berry Street essay, “My Little Pony Was Right: Reflections on Fascism Without & Within” by the Rev. Cecilia Kingman

• Session 1: July 17 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm PT

• Session 2: August 14 at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm PT

Dear Beloveds, 

The success of our movements depends on our capacity to hold a larger vision of what we seek to build, not just what we work to dismantle. Yes, fascism on a wider scale is a real threat–one that many of us did not and do not want to believe is possible. This is not a light thing to hold. And as we engage in collective learning about fascism and how we dismantle the systems of oppression that feed anti-democratic movements, we must also find collective space to imagine and build the world where we all live in the fullness and wholeness of our worth and dignity. 

That has been the beautiful work of our faith and of UU the Vote. We are growing our capacity to imagine a new world and building the skill and will to cultivate it in our institutions, our communities, and in our larger world. 

If we solely focus on blocking or dismantling we reject love, sustainability, and the interdependency that anchor our faith and the very idea of beloved community. I am overwhelmed by how our UU the Vote community has consistently held this essential balance. I believe it is why we continue to grow and welcome new folks into our work. We are not just preparing to fight. We are preparing to win! Thank each of you for joining in and creating a program that embodies the discipline of hope. I hope this is what you find as you engage in the amazing resources and opportunities we have coming out of this year’s General Assembly. 

I believe that we will win! 

In faith,

Nicole Pressley 

Field and Programs Director, UUA Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team

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We hope those of you who attended GA – either virtually or in person – enjoyed your experience. Our staff was grateful for the opportunities to showcase our work for the last year with UU the Vote at our workshop – attended by nearly 1000 people! – as well as our Side With Love Morning Mixer for congregational justice leaders.

If you were a registered attendee, you can find the recordings of all programming here until September 15th. This includes our training, Hope is a Discipline: Creating Narratives for Justice as well as our live workshop UUtheVote: Mapping Our Impact, Charting Our Future. Both recordings will be available publicly after September 15th on the Side With Love website.

We’re especially excited to share the gorgeous visual notes from our UU the Vote workshop (see the gallery at the bottom of this post), created by Phoebe Dubisch, Senior Graphics Editor and Internship Coordinator with Unitarian Universalist Justice Arizona Network (UUJAZ). They so beautifully articulate the joys and lessons from our past work and help us imagine what UU the Vote will be doing in 2024.

Side With Love Morning Mixer

Congregational Justice Leaders: Join Our Online Mixer!

Thursday, July 20th at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm PT

We know that these times ask a lot of us and that we need one another to stay in the work with hope, joy, impact, and accountability. 

We had the pleasure of gathering with congregational justice leaders while in Pittsburgh, and we’re eager to meet with those who we’re not about to join us in person.

We’re inviting leaders doing the work on the ground and showing up for and with Side With Love to an online mixer so that you can connect with one another, build community across issues, and have some facetime with our staff.

Join us Thursday, July 20th at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm PT.

Workshop: UUtheVote: Mapping Our Impact, Charting Our Future

Resist, Respond, Reimagine: A Side With Love Rally

Read the three Actions of Immediate Witness passed at GA2023!

• Organizing for Health Equity

• Protect the Dreamers, the Recipients of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) with a Pathway to Permanent Residence

• Stop Cop City

Donate to UPLIFT and UPLIFT Action

We are so grateful that one of the dedicated General Assembly collections was for our programs! If you are able, we’d be grateful for your gift! Support both UPLIFT Action for LGBTQIA+, Gender and Reproductive Justice, our campaign for UUs to take action in support of trans rights and reproductive justice; and UPLIFT Ministries' direct ministry to and with LGBTQIA+ UUs.

One of the nation’s most culturally consequential referendums is underway in Atlanta.

Locals, professional UU organizers, other spiritually grounded activists—including your fellow volunteer UUs—and others from around the world are actively leaning into the work, going door-to-door and busy community sites to collect the signatures needed to bring this issue to a vote.

The City of Atlanta will contribute nearly $70 million to the deletion of at least 13,070,000 square feet of the Weelaunee Forest—developing it into a training ground that militarizes and equips police forces with the skills of insufficient care that (ironically) threaten the safety of the officers and (unironically) threaten the security of the community—if we don't collect enough signatures.

You can contribute to this referendum from wherever you reside, when—and how—you feel called. This is what UUs do.

Join us for the Week of Action July 27th - August 5th

• Online Volunteer Recruitment Phone Canvass Sign Up (Online | Thursday, July 27 at 7:00-8:30 PM ET / 6 CT / 5 MT / 4 PT)

• National Online Action for UUs Sign Up (Online | Thursday, August 3 at 7:00-8:00 PM ET / 6 CT / 5 MT / 4 PT)

• Stop Cop City Volunteer Recruitment Phone Canvass Sign Up (Online | Thursday, August 3 at 7:00-8:30PM ET / 6 CT / 5 MT / 4 PT)

• Weekend of Action Canvas to Stop Cop City Sign Up (Atlanta | Saturday, August 5 at 12:00-3:00 PM ET)

#LetAtlantaBreathe: A UU’s contribution to the #StopCopCity & #DefendTheForest movement.

The UU principle of interdependence may sequentially follow those of justice, peace, and dignity, but respecting, “the interdependent web of all existence” may be the bedrock of those other principles. Can you think of it as the unsurfaced molten rock, the magma of the other principles? Interdependence generates heat, heat generates energy, energy that is transferred to our work in human and environmental rights. What energy will you transfer on?

You have breathed the oxygen made by the trees of the Weelaunee Forest and you’ve felt the rain drops made by its water, too, regardless of where you live.

Such is the interdependence of things.

If the forest is disassembled and replaced by a “city” that trains police but is unable to house the many unhoused, if it is forced to relive being kidnapped from Native stewards and plundered for gain, then its energy is being mis-transferred and misused.

This is a moment of justice. As much as it feels like a fight, it is a moment for you to contribute to peace.

The idea of this development sprung from the protests following George Floyd’s murder. The corporate sponsors and police want to protect their interests, property and capital. We must protect and defend our collective interests: clean air, responsible stewardship of the land, safety and care for our neighbors, and a democratic and accountable government. For all of our collective interests, this project is an immediate threat.

We must #LetAtlantaBreathe.

Responding to the call to contribute, no matter where you are.

#StopCopCity & #DefendTheForest is historic, and you belong in its fold. This is what UUs do.

This referendum will be a first in the city’s 186-year history. Referendums are relatively common in other parts of the United States—particularly the west—but Georgia and the majority of southern states don’t have citizen-led processes like these because most states with enslaved people did not want to create the opportunity for people to directly decide on policies.

• Read the 2023 Action of Immediate Witness Stop Cop City

  As Unitarian Universalists, we recognize the momentum of collective action to demand social change, and we call upon the UUA and its member congregations to stop Cop City;

  As Unitarian Universalists, we will take action through self-organized phone zaps, mass email campaigns, personal and institutional divestment from banks funding Cop City construction, and other solidarity actions against investors, funders, and other corporate partners across the U.S. and Canada;

  As Unitarian Universalists, we will support those engaged in direct action to stop Cop City with spiritual and material resources, by writing letters to incarcerated activists and calling for their immediate release from jail, demanding that all charges against them be dropped, and providing spiritual care for protestors and survivors of police violence; and

  As Unitarian Universalists, we will continue to deepen our theological grounding in issues of environmental justice and policing.

• Donate Now

• Sign up form to get involved

To join, sign up for one of our Week of Action educational activities and learn about phone banking and canvassing. If you’re in Atlanta on Saturday, August 5, come collect signatures with us. Who else will you invite?

With the deepest gratitude and in solidarity,

Nicole Pressley
Field & Programs Director for Side With Love

Today marks the 33rd anniversary of the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) - a monumental milestone in the journey towards a more inclusive and equitable society!

The ADA, signed into law on this day in 1990, has been a powerful force for positive change, breaking down barriers and opening doors for millions of individuals with disabilities. It's not just a piece of legislation; it's a testament to the power of empathy, understanding, and the belief that every person deserves equal opportunities.

The work isn't over, today, we recommit ourselves to deeping our understanding of the intersectionality of disability and race, gender, and sexuality. By furthering the goals of the ADA and ensuring that every person, regardless of their abilities, can participate fully in all aspects of society we work towards a society that honors the worth and dignity of all. Let's keep pushing for better accessibility, not just in physical spaces but also in technology, education, employment, and beyond!

Join us in celebrating this momentous day and advocating for a world where diversity is cherished and accommodated.

Rev. Amanda Schuber
Disability Justice Associate
Side With Love

I write to you from my home in Alabama where last fall, I assisted at the first birth in a birth center in our state, and where the state of safer birth is now in jeopardy.

Will you weigh in for reproductive justice in my state?

The Alabama Department of Public Health has proposed a draft of birth center rules and regulations that are discriminatory, outdated, and non-evidence based. These proposed rules and regulations will prohibit many eligible families from being able to afford and access birth centers in any of the proposed (and already operating) birthing centers in the state.

Earlier this week, I was interviewed on our local TV station about our opposition to these new rules.

Alabama has among the highest rates of maternal death and infant death of all states. For women of color, the outcomes are worse. 37% of our counties are maternity care deserts. We need MORE skilled providers serving our communities - not unnecessary restrictions.

Freestanding birth centers staffed with midwives, including Certified Professional Midwives, aren’t a problem; they’re a solution. Birth Centers have demonstrated positive outcomes for pregnant people and their babies.

Our goal at Side With Love is to make sure that Alabama families who desire birth center births, are able to make values-aligned decisions about their birth settings and that those decisions are affordable and accessible to all. This is what bodily autonomy looks like. This is what it means when we say “Every Body is Sacred.”

Will you join me in putting your faith in action in this fight for reproductive equity and justice?

Submit a Public Comment Now

Help us flood the Alabama Department of Health with public comments to ensure that all of Alabama’s families who desire the midwifery model of care in birthing centers are allotted that opportunity.

Thank you for taking action for birth justice.

Charity Howard
Reproductive Justice Organizing Intern
Side With Love

This has been a hard summer. We’ve experienced some of the worst extreme heat on record: July 2023 is the hottest month on record, and 2023 is on track to be the hottest year ever. In Texas, incarcerated human beings have been struggling to endure the extreme heat without air conditioning. Agricultural workers, construction workers, roofers, outdoor workers, and those who work in unairconditioned spaces are all at increased risk of heat-related illness and death with no federal protections for heat. Temperatures are too high for birds and other wildlife to cope. Ocean temperatures exceeding 100 degrees threaten marine life. As of today, the US has had 15 confirmed billion-dollar weather/climate disaster events, including 1 flood, 13 severe storms, and 1 winter storm resulting in 113 deaths.

This is just a small sample of the climate disasters we’ve experienced. It’s been a hard summer in a hard year on top of so many hard years.

Sometimes it just feels like too much. As I’m writing this, my heart is racing, my shoulders tensed up, my jaw is clenched, and I’m holding my breath.

Let’s pause to breathe together. Take a moment to relax your shoulders, gently move your head in a slow circle, take a breath as you’re able, and slowly, slowly, slowly exhale. Let’s hold in our hearts our neighbors who are suffering. In your mind’s eye, picture a living being or place that makes you smile. I’m picturing the Roseate Spoonbill that recently graced Wisconsin with its presence for the first time in over a hundred years.

Now, imagine that creature or sacred space thriving.

Even as climate disasters wreak havoc on our communities, even as we take action for climate justice, we need to resource ourselves and nourish our spirits. (Rev. Sofía Betancourt, Ph.D shared prayers for those impacted by extreme climate in one of her first statements as UUA president.)

It’s important that we are grounded in the present as we dream of a better world.

Without a clear vision of the world we want, we run the risk of prioritizing short-term gains and false solutions. Where we mistakenly advance legislative goals disconnected from cultural shifts and get derailed by things that divide our focus and distract us from long-term goals, and we run the risk of our movements unintentionally upholding injustice.

Here at Side With Love, our Climate Justice Campaign uses spiritual grounding & nourishment, political education, skill building, leadership development, and mobilization with the goal of supporting Unitarian Universalists (UUs) in cultivating thriving communities that advance a just and equitable transition to a clean energy future. We facilitate shared learning, mutual support, and collective action as we work together to realize a world with no fossil fuels, where clean energy is a human right, and all communities thrive.

I’m proud to share the ongoing work held by our collective climate justice and Green Sanctuary congregations, communities, and organizations. In particular, our events hold the precious hope that will sustain us while we use the various tactics and campaigns to allow that hope to flourish into the future. I hope I’ll see you at one or more of these events.

Rachel

PS: If you haven’t already, I recommend you check out our Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care Toolkit for your congregational and community use.

Rachel Myslivy,

Side With Love Climate Justice Organizer

Sources: “July 2023 is Hottest Month Ever Recorded on Earth”; "2023 is on track to be the hottest year on record"; “Texas prisoners struggle to endure heat wave in facilities without air conditioning”; "Heat can kill on the job, and these workers are dying"; "In New Mexico, temperatures are too high for birds to use their usual coping methods"; "With Florida ocean temperatures topping 100, experts warn of damage to marine life"; Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters

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Thriving Communities

Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice Community Meetings offer spaces for shared learning and mutual support for anyone working to transform our congregations through climate justice.

We invite you to join any one of our amazing fall offerings to explore:

• Surprise Lessons in Congregational Transformation on August 16

• Navigating Conflict in our Climate Work with Restorative Conflict Circles on September 20

• Net Zero by 2030! on October 10

• Earth Aware Worship on November 15th

Get to know the new Green Sanctuary! Join us for a Community Meeting on the 3rd Wednesday of the month or an Orientation on the 1st Wednesday of the month.

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Clean Energy as a Human Right

To realize a world where all communities thrive, we need to advance clean energy for all. While congregations are excitedly learning about the funding opportunities for solar, energy efficiency, and more through the Inflation Reduction Act and other federal funding opportunities, we must continue to center justice in our efforts.

RSVP for the Visionary Approaches to Federal Clean Energy Funding Webinar on August 29 at 1ET to inspire and inform your congregation to make sure these opportunities benefit those most impacted by climate change.

Join Sylvia Chi, Just Solutions Collective; Sonia Kikeri, Emerald Cities Collaborative; Jamal Lewis, Rewiring America; and Miguel Yanez, Energy and Environmental Study Institute to learn how your congregation can put your faith into action to advance visionary approaches to clean energy funding with justice at the center.

No More Fossil Fuels!

Side With Love continues to Mobilize UUs to End the Era of Fossil Fuels! In New York this September, the United Nations Secretary-General is hosting a first-of-its-kind Climate Ambition Summit to demand that nations stop the fossil fuel expansion that is driving the climate emergency. Thousands of will march to demand President Biden take bold action to End Fossil Fuels.

Urge Your Elected Officials To Take The Pledge to Phase Out Fossil Fuels!

We want as many elected officials - from mayors and city council people to state senators and representatives - to join us in pushing President Biden. So, we need EVERY UU to go to the elected officials that represent you and ask them to sign this pledge by AUGUST 30.

Watch the webinar about the Pledge, hosted by UUs for Social Justice, UU Ministry for Earth and Side With Love, check out the Toolkit for Elected Officials and the Elected Officials Pledge .

Make the call to your Congresspeople with Side With Love’s Click-to-Call action.

If you’re in the New York City area and want to join the march on September 17, contact Rev. Peggy Clarke at pclarke @ ccny.org or via Facebook.

I’m excited to share the fall Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting Schedule, which will include explorations into congregational transformation, conflict resolution, pathways to net zero, and worship resources.  Please share these events with your congregation!

 RSVP for the August 16 GS2030 Community Meeting: Surprise Lessons on Congregational Transformation!  

The Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice framework guided the First UU Congregation of Ann Arbor's climate leaders to change the way they look at their work... or make that the congregation's work. UUAA has a history of environmentalism that has mostly focused on mitigation, on decreasing our carbon footprint. Enrolling in GS2030 guided them to rethink things -- to look more at climate justice (yikes! that's hard!) and congregational transformation (what is that?) As a result they have sparked more cross-group collaborations, increased our community outreach activities, and, well, maybe they're having more impact! RSVP today!   Read on for the full community meeting schedule. 

Does this opportunity have your name on it?

The GS2030 Community is growing!  As a result, I’m looking for folks to help organize our community.  This could look like volunteering to do the spiritual opening and closing, helping plan community meetings, and whatever else comes up.  Let me know if you’re interested in joining the GS2030 Planning Team!   

Send us your surveys!

Have you ever wished there was a go-to survey to gauge interest and activities in your congregation’s Green Sanctuary work?  Have you used a survey that was awesome?  Please send surveys you’ve used to Environment@UUA.org.  And then…help us create a model survey!  As we collect these surveys, we’d like a few folks to help draft a model survey all congregations could use for their GS2030 work.  Let me know if you’re interested in helping out! 

Have you used the online Progress Report Form yet?  Try it today!

If you use this form to report your GS2030 Actions, it can eliminate the need for a final report.  Yay, less paperwork!   It also helps me see the exciting things happening in our community.  Check it out!

GS2030 Fall Meetings

all at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET

• August 16: Surprise Lessons in Congregational Transformation

• September 20: Navigating Conflict in Our Climate Work with Restorative Conflict Circles

• October 18: Net Zero by 2030! Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting

• November 15: Earth-Aware Worship

We'll host our annual Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration in January 2024!

 I hope to see you all next Wednesday!

In community,

Rachel