In these turbulent times, we wanted to take a moment to reflect on the extraordinary efforts of UUs across the country who contributed to our UU the Vote work during this election season. No matter the results of the election, your commitment to justice and strengthening our democracy has made a real difference. Together, we mobilized, educated, and inspired thousands of people across key states, demonstrating the transformative power of our faith in action.

A few highlights from UU democracy organizing across the US: 

Arizona: UU the Vote volunteers canvassed tirelessly, focusing on pivotal ballot initiatives, including Proposition 139 (expanding abortion care) and Proposition 314 (an anti-immigrant measure). Alongside local partners and out-of-state volunteers, we knocked on doors, educated voters, and grew relationships with grassroots partner organizations.

North Carolina: With legislative and judicial races on the line, UU volunteers and partners connected with over 12,000 voters, with a chorus that uplifted spirits at early voting sites, demonstrating that resilience and hope are powerful antidotes to intimidation and fear.

National Efforts: Phone-banking efforts in collaboration with State Action Networks in MI, NC, PA, and TX ensured voters were informed and empowered to make their voices heard. In Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Wisconsin, UU volunteers canvassed the weekend before Election Day.

Through every conversation, song, and step, you embodied our faith’s commitment to justice, love, and equity. Thank you.

As we reflect on these efforts, we also invite you to consider an essential question posed by UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt during a recent fireside chat with UUSC President Rev. Mary Katherine Morn: How do we make our interdependence faithful and value-driven? These two theologians and leaders discussed the UU theological grounding for climate justice, highlighting that interdependence is not always positive—someone upstream polluting has an interdependent relationship with those downstream. This question challenges us to align our interconnectedness with values of justice, compassion, and care.

You are invited to explore this conversation further by watching the UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice Fireside Chat, a 32-minute recording that includes reporting from small group discussions across the UUA. 

3 Resources to Empower Your Community as We Move Forward

While the election is behind us, there is still much work left to be done. The challenges ahead demand that we remain resilient, adaptable, and deeply connected to one another. In response, we have three resources to empower your community as we move forward.

1) Tap into the Community Resilience Hub
The election may be over, but the work continues! The Community Resilience Hub is your go-to destination for tools, resources, and inspiration to help your congregation and community stay organized, advocate for justice, and heal together. Dive into everything it offers to stay grounded and connected as you move forward.

2) Contribute to the Congregational Asset Map Survey
Your congregation’s unique strengths matter! By filling out the Congregational Asset Map Survey, you’ll help us build a comprehensive view of our collective resources. Together, we can ensure that our movement remains strong and impactful in the years to come. (Email socialjustice at uua.org with your congregational affiliation to receive the link.)

3) Share Your Insights in the UUA Community Care and Resilience Survey
Let your voice shape the future! The UUA Community Care and Resilience Survey is an opportunity to share your perspectives and help us strategically address challenges and opportunities ahead. Don’t miss your chance to contribute before the end of the year! (Email socialjustice at uua.org with your congregational affiliation to receive the link.)

As we move forward, we will continue to provide you with information, updates, and resources to empower you to be a witness for love and justice in your communities and beyond. But until then, may this blessing ignite a spark within your soul that empowers you to press onward with faith and hope:

May the love that binds us together bring the healing we seek.

May the hope that ignites our souls keep our eyes fixed on the prize of collective liberation.

May the peace that comes from knowing we are each other's strengthen our resolve.

May the joy inspired by the vision of a more just world propel us into the work ahead.

May the faith that sustains us guide our path with courage and grace.

Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our collective liberation. Your efforts are a testament to the transformative power of our faith and the boundless possibilities of what we can achieve together.

In gratitude and solidarity,

your Side With Love team

2024 UUA Social Justice Award Nominations Wanted!

Bennett Award for Congregational Action on Human Justice and Social Action

The Bennett Award for Congregational Action on Human Justice and Social Action honors a Unitarian Universalist congregation that has done exemplary work in social justice and is accompanied by a $1,000 cash award.

Submissions must be received by April 25, 2025.  

Submissions consist of a short description form, and if applicable, a testimonial from a partner organization or community group, and any relevant media about the congregation's justice ministry, including news articles or photos. Learn more and submit your nomination.

Skinner Sermon Award

The Skinner Sermon Award honors Clarence Skinner, the late dean of the Tufts College School of Religion in Medford, MA. and a major voice of prophetic religious liberalism, and is presented annually to the preacher of the sermon best expressing Unitarian Universalism's social principles. It comes with a $500 honorarium. 

We particularly encourage and invite sermons that speak to one of our four intersectional justice priorities (bodily autonomy inclusive of reproductive justice and trans liberation; decriminalization; democracy and electoral justice; and climate justice). 

Submissions must be received by April 25, 2025. 

Submissions may be offered as a document of the sermon text and/or as a video recording of it being offered. Please be sure to include the author's name, address, church affiliation, phone number, email address, and indication of when and where the sermon was delivered in your email submission. Learn more and submit your sermon.

With over 375 UU Congregations hosting the UU Climate Justice Revival and 125 ACTIVE Green Sanctuary 2030 Congregations, UUs are mobilizing for Climate Justice...but how? 

As climate disasters become more commonplace, we need stronger networks of community care. Whether you want to convene a regional Revival, work on disaster response, collaborate on statewide advocacy, or just learn how others are approaching their climate justice work, working together with other UUs can be a powerful response to the problems of our times. 

Find resources and upcoming programming at sidewithlove.org/climatejustice.

How do we make our interdependence faithful and value-driven?

This question was posed by UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt during the fireside chat with UUSC President Rev. Mary Katherine Morn. These two theologians and leaders discussed the UU theological grounding for climate justice. Interdependent doesn't always mean something positive, as Rev. Betancourt noted. Someone upstream polluting has an interdependent relationship with those downstream. So: how do we make our interdependence faithful and value-driven?

Watch the event recording which includes reporting back from the small group discussion that happened. 

Host Your Own Congregational Viewing & Discussion

 You are welcome to share the recording of our meeting or watch the conversation only and use these discussions for your own small group conversations.

• Video: UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice Fireside Chat (32 min)

Discussion questions:

• What are you holding in your heart or mind?

• How does your personal faith call you to climate justice?

• How can this growing understanding of the faithful call to climate justice transform your current climate actions?

Upcoming Events

UU Revival Facilitator Training

November 14 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT

Are you one of your congregation's facilitators for the UU Climate Justice Revival? All facilitators need to join one of our 2 hour Facilitator Training Sessions. Come learn how to be the best facilitator you can be for your congregation's Revival! 

Get Connected:  Who's doing what, where, when, and why!?

November 20 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT
With over 375 UU Congregations hosting the UU Climate Justice Revival and 125 ACTIVE Green Sanctuary 2030 Congregations, UUs are mobilizing for Climate Justice...but how?  As climate disasters become more commonplace, we need stronger networks of community care.  Whether you want to convene a regional Revival, work on disaster response, collaborate on statewide advocacy, or just learn how others are approaching their climate justice work, working together with other UUs can be a powerful response to the problems of our times.

Green Sanctuary 2030 Orientation

December 4 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT

Get to know the new Green Sanctuary! Join the monthly orientation session to get a better understanding of the program and learn how your congregation can engage in ongoing climate action. Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice can transform your congregation through climate justice! Orientation meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET. 

Green Sanctuary Celebration and Call for Renewal with Pres. Sofía Betancourt
December 11 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT
Come together to celebrate 35 years of Green Sanctuary! From the 7th Principle Project to Mobilizing for Climate Justice, the Green Sanctuary process has transformed our congregations and our world. Join Pres. Sofía and friends for a celebration of Green Sanctuary and a call for renewal through Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice. Register now.

Our October Green Sanctuary 2030 Monthly Gathering was a fireside chat with UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt and UUSC President Rev. Mary Katherine Morn on UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice. After the conversation, participants were invited to join small group discussions.

Host Your Own Congregational Viewing & Discussion

You are welcome to share the recording of our meeting or watch the conversation only and use these discussions for your own small group conversations!

• Video: UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice Fireside Chat (32 min)

• Discussion questions:

  • What are you holding in your heart or mind?

  • How does your personal faith call you to climate justice?

  • How can this growing understanding of the faithful call to climate justice transform your current climate actions?

The Side With Love staff team - some of whom are in the US South - are holding all our beloveds in deep care, prayer, and love tonight as Hurricane Milton makes landfall.

If your congregation is able, please consider a donation or collection for the UUA Disaster Relief Fund. All funds go directly to supporting congregations and their communities.

The UUA understands the connection between disaster relief and justice making. Populations who have historically been denied access to resources and care suffer most in a disaster.

Disaster Relief Grants to our UU congregations and related organizations not only help other Unitarian Universalists, they can also support on the ground relief efforts through existing partnerships that congregations already have. These grants encourage congregations to build coalitions to meet the needs of their wider communities. 

UUs have been on the leading edge of environmental advocacy for decades - and much of that good work has focused on mitigation - working to reduce the polluting emissions that drive climate change.  While mitigation is a critical piece, it’s not enough.  As our beloved communities continue to experience climate disruption, extreme weather, and climate disasters, we must expand our climate work to center justice and prioritize creating communities of care.  As we reimagine together a world where all communities thrive, we equally have to ground ourselves in the systems of oppression and harm.  We know that climate disasters impact some of our neighbors more than others.

If you are in an area that hasn't yet experienced a climate disaster, I invite you to explore our resource Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care which includes a toolkit, webinar series, and worksheets for congregations and communities to identify risks and envision solutions with love and justice at the center.

In faith and solidarity,

your Side With Love colleagues 

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UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice

UUs have been at the leading edge of climate action for decades, but how does our faith call us to the work of climate justice?

Join the Green Sanctuary 2030 Community on Wednesday, October 16 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET for a watch party of the UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice Fireside Chat with UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt and UUSC President Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, hosted by Side With Love Climate Justice Advocate Rachel Myslivy.

How does your faith call you to this work? Join the conversation!

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Celebrating the Climate Justice Revivals So Far

Just two weekends ago, hundreds of UU congregations around the country held their own UU Climate Justice Revivals - and we know more congregations are hosting their own throughout this winter and next spring.

 If your congregation hosted a revival recently, tell us your revival story using our UU Climate Justice Revival Commitments & Evaluation form here or by going to https://bit.ly/UURevivalStories, where you can not only submit your revival participants’ words of commitment, but also share your feedback and upload the pictures you took!

 Upcoming UU Climate Revival Facilitator Trainings

• Thursday, November 14, 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7 ET: Register now

• Wednesday, January 15, 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7 ET: Register now 

• Wednesday, February 26, 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7 ET: Register now

Upcoming Programming

Recording and Resources

 "What do I have to offer?" + the Social Ecosystem Framework

View Now

Wed, Nov 20 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT

Green Sanctuary 2030 New Materials Release

RSVP Now

Wed, Dec 11 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT

Green Sanctuary Celebration and Call for Renewal

RSVP Now

Talking about abortion is the first step to busting stigma, stopping harmful restrictions, and expanding access. On September 30, we learned how to have deeper conversations about abortion that are rooted in values and facts, defuse extremist talking points, and develop skills to use in one-on-one conversations. Watch the recording here.

Resources from the webinar:

• View the presentation slides

• Join Yeson4’s Weekly Phonebanks

• Learn more about Avow Texas

• Learn more about ongoing work of the National Network of Abortion Funds

UU Climate Justice Revival Ahoy!  Starting this weekend, congregations across the land are coming together to reimagine a spirit-filled and liberatory future. Through conversations, worship, and advocacy, congregations will work together to realize climate justice and collective liberation in our communities. Let’s GO!

Read on for more info about:

• Revivaling Congregations + YOU!

• Tune in to the Livestream of President Sofia’s sermon at UU Congregation of Ann Arbor

• Sneak peak into UUA’s expanding support for climate justice!

• “When I go to the Revival” reflections from Side with Love!

Revivaling Congregations + YOU!

Over 370 UU congregations in 45 states plus Mexico, Canada, the Virgin Islands, and online -   over 35% of our denomination - are joining in spirit to reimagine together a world where all communities thrive. 

The UU Society of Oneonta, NY is the first congregation to share the outcomes of their Revival.  Look at all those smiling faces!  Karen Palmer reports,

“We just completed our Climate Revival Saturday Workshop a weekend early due to our schedules.  Rev Stacey and I facilitated and we think it went very well.  People were very engaged and moved from expressing that they felt overwhelmed and stressed about Climate Change to feeling more positive and hopeful seeing the collective energy that emerged from the event.  Thanks for all the work your team did to provide the resources!” 

What’s that you say?  Your congregation hasn’t signed up to host a Revival yet?  Do it now!  You can host your Revival later this year or in 2025.  Several folks are hosting theirs over Earth Day.  Do what makes sense for you but sign up now so we can best support you!

Your Revival will bring together hearts and minds to make the connections between climate and justice and re-imagine what it means to do this urgent work in community.   This powerful and transformative event weaves together the threads that have always linked our deepest commitments. The UU Climate Justice Revival will equip UU congregations to enter into a new era of climate action—one that intentionally and faithfully breaks down silos and cultivates relationships that lead to flourishing collaborations that transform our congregations through climate justice.  

Watch a Revival Worship This Weekend!

If your congregation is not hosting the Revival this weekend, but you want in on the fun, we invite you to join the livestream of UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt preaching at the UU Congregation of Ann Arbor on September 29 at 8:30am PT / 11:30am ET.

UUA developing new tools for Climate Justice facilities projects at the congregational level

As congregations seek to implement climate justice projects at the community level, we are excited to report that the UUA will soon be offering support and a loan option for clean energy projects with incentives for climate justice.  We can’t go into too many details just yet, but put this in the back of your mind as your congregation is Reimagining Together at your UU Climate Justice Revival and stay tuned for more information!

How are you Revivaling?  

Hear from the Side With Love Team on what we’re bringing to our Revivals!

“The sign of a health economy should be a drinkable river.” - Li An Phoa

Here in Delaware, none of our rivers and creeks are swimmable, let alone drinkable.  Here in my county with the highest number of chickens in the country, chicken waste is spread on our fields and runs off into the water (among other causes for the unhealthy water).  If we had drinkable rivers, families be able to play in them!  But more than that, getting there would require improved conditions and lives for the chickens themselves, the small family chicken farmers stuck in contracts with the big chicken companies, and the largely immigrant and Black non-unionised workers in the chicken factories.   When I go to the Revival, I will elevate the connection between small farms, workers, animals, water, and our health.”    

Rev. Cathy Rion Starr, Leadership Development Specialist

When I go to the Revival, I’m going to talk about the profound connections between climate justice and building a more democratic society for all people. I think about the opportunities for direct democratic process in Atlanta where over 116,000 residents signed petitions in support of taking Cop City – a militarized police training camp destroying an urban forest to be destructed – and the city’s unwillingness to respond to the demands of the people. I think about what it means when our governing bodies have been bought and sold by the wealthy and corporations – in the case of the Great Lakes, the federal government has not stopped Enbridge from pumping oil through their 71-year old pipelines through the Straits of Mackinac putting 21 percent of the world’s fresh surface water at risk. I am excited for the synergy and opportunity for more relationship and more collective action that will emerge from the Revival.

Nora Rasman, Democracy Strategist

When I go to my climate justice revival, I want to talk about the intersection of the climate crisis and our values.  I want to leave able to articulate how our values call us into environmental action. I care about Climate Justice, and I'm already doing so much to end oppression that I want to better understand how this work impacts the work I'm already doing. It all feels so big! I want a space to dream about a better, healthier, and more connected world.

Rev. Amanda Schuber, Disability Justice Associate

When I go to my revival, I will talk about the impacts of climate change on marginalized communities. Many who lack the basic necessities of life and whose livelihood depends on survival are the most likely to suffer the devastating impacts of climate catastrophe. When a hurricane hits or a chemical contamination strikes, low-income people, Black and brown people, trans people, and disabled people lack the financial resources to protect themselves. Worse yet, agencies and government officials fail to craft policies and procedures that take into account the variety of needs and contingencies that will ensure the safety of these communities. A climate revival will not only raise the aware of the reality of climate change but will also raise the awareness of how climate catastrophe impacts all communities and the need to center care for the most vulnerable as we consider sustainable solutions.  

Rev. Michael Crumpler, LGBTQ and Multicultural Programs Director

When I go to my Revival, I’m going to talk about disability justice, community care, and the urgency of practicing solidarity with disabled people in this age of pandemics. As we reimagine a world where all beings thrive, in this moment of accelerating mass disablement, death, and climate catastrophe and simultaneous calls to reinvest in pre-pandemic ways of living and organizing, I’m curious about what our movements can learn from disabled resistance, connection, and survival. I’m eager to attend to this need for the many generations of people who are becoming disabled in a very small window of time and to whom our movements are accountable for a place in this work. I’m inspired by the 2024 AIW Centering Love Amidst the Ongoing Impact of COVID-19. What’s possible for our communities when we live into communal interdependence? 

Amarin Young, Communications & Administrative Assistant

When I go to my climate justice revival, I want to make sure we find spaces for us to grieve.  There is so much violence we are encountering and experiencing in our lives, and it takes a toll on our bodies, minds, and hearts.  My heart breaks for my Palestinian siblings who have lost homes, loved ones, and ancestral lands where they have nurtured olive trees for generations.  All of us have lost the biodiversity that comes with human-driven climate change.  And some of us may feel like humanity has lost its soul, with our extractive relationships to each other and our greater world.  I want to make the space for us to name and feel that grief.  Because in that grief, we can find our longing.  We can find what it is we yearn for, rooted in our greatest imaginings of what our faith tells us is possible.  In honoring our grief, we lean into the best of our humanity - our connections to our reality and our commitments to transforming this world into one centered on love.

Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, Congregational Justice Organizer

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When I go to my Revival later this year, I am excited to meet all of the community members we’re inviting to join us.  We’re using the Revival materials to bring together as many people as we can from the many smaller communities in our area who are all connected to the same ecosystem we love and social services we need.  I plan to elevate the connections between climate change and all of the injustices we fight so hard against as a means of working towards building community resilience together.  How can we make sure that everyone in our community thrives?  I know that I - alone - do not have the answer, but we - together - can create a vision, a north star, to guide our collective work.  Together, with curiosity, humility, grace, and imperfection, we can find the solutions that strengthen our community and protect our ecosystem, all while centering the needs of those most impacted by climate injustice.  I bring my lived experience as a person with a disability and my rural, working-class background to this dynamic work.  As Chico Mendes said, “Environmentalism without class struggle is just gardening.”  How can our climate justice work intersect with labor, disability rights, anti-racism, disaster preparedness, and more?  My commitment to justice and collective liberation will guide my actions both at the Revival and beyond. No system but the ecosystem, no liberation without love.  We’re reimagining together!

Rachel Myslivy, Climate Justice Strategist

On September 18, we joined Deepa Iyer for our September Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting: “What do I have to offer?” + the Social Ecosystem Framework. Watch the recording here.

We all have an important part to play in our congregation! To create a world that liberates all of us, we need each and every one of us. Deepa Iyer's Social Change Ecosystem Framework identifies ten "roles" all working towards and with the values of equity, liberation, justice, and solidarity. This framework is built on the recognition that we all have “innate gifts, lived experiences, learned skills, and formal and informal knowledge that can propel social change.” It also celebrates that we are fluid and adaptable, with our "role" changing from one context to the next. We’re using this framework in the UU Climate Justice Revival and in it can be helpful when bringing together you GS2030 Teams.

Resources from the meeting:

• View the presentation slides

"We build spiritual containers. We tell different stories. We engage one another. We follow frontline leaders. We remind each other [to be with each other] when the world mocks us sometimes for hope; mocks us sometimes for the radical idea that love can guide who we are and how we show up, rather than needing to win at a game that puts some of us ahead of others." - Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt

 Earlier this month, UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt joined our first UU the Vote in-person mobilization in Philadelphia. She was part of a powerful panel on the role of faith organizations in this political moment (watch the entire event at Side With Love’s YouTube) and invited UUs to remember how important it is that we be together in this work; to, in her words, "literally chaplain one another back to the space we are building together."

 Over the next four weeks, we have a number of reproductive justice and access events so we can learn and take action on this critical issue. Two political education events, two phonebanks with partner organizations (one in Florida and one in North Carolina), and our ongoing UPLIFT and UPLIFT Access monthly gatherings. We hope you'll join us at these events where we can chaplain each other, remind each other why we're letting love guide us, and tell different stories about the world we want to live in.

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Woven Together: Religion & Reproductive Justice

Political Education Series from SACReD

Tuesdays this fall 7-8:30pm ET

SACReD is a national alliance of multiracial, multifaith, multiethnic, mixed gender and sexual identity religious leaders, congregations, movement organizations, activists, academics, and directly impacted communities collaborating to advance Reproductive Justice through congregational education, culture change, community building, and direct service.

Join SACReD for a 6-part virtual learning series this fall! 

 As we shift the culture to make Reproductive Justice a lived reality, we recognize that our political, religious, and reproductive lives are all woven together. We are watching the forces of White Christian Nationalism threaten our families and our communities every day. We are bringing together experts to cover the legal, political, theological, and cross-movement intersections of religion and reproductive justice. When we understand how all of our struggles are inextricably linked, we can continue to deepen our solidarity in the pursuit of liberation and justice for all.

 Accessing this series is free, with a suggested donation of $25 per workshop, or $150 for the full series.

Learn more & register now

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UU the Vote & Yes on 4! Virtual Phone Bank

Thursday, September 26 at 3 – 5pm EDT

Help us grow our movement to limit government interference with abortion!

 Florida's proposed Amendment 4 creates a state constitutional amendment that explicitly blocks the implementation of laws that prohibit, delay, or restrict abortion access.

On Thursday, Sept 26, you're invited to join Yes on 4 and UU the Vote for a virtual phone bank session. We'll connect to voters to invite them to take action and support Yes on 4 this election cycle. No experience is necessary, we will provide training and support to you while you make calls. Your personal information is protected and all calls are made through the dialer system. We'll have fun and promise the conversations you have with voters will energize you!

Register Now

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Unapologetic Abortion Access: Skill Training with Avow Texas

Monday, September 30, 2024 8pm ET - 9:30pm ET

Join us for a virtual workshop with Caroline Duble, Political Director of Avow Texas, to talk about abortion.

Defuse extremist talking points and develop skills to use in one-on-one conversations. We are particularly enthusiastic to invite UU reproductive justice organizers and activists and folks living in states with abortion ballot measures this November.

Talking about abortion is the first step to busting stigma, stopping harmful restrictions, and expanding access.

 Learn how to have deeper conversations about abortion that are rooted in values and facts. 

Register Now

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North Carolina Abortion Rights Interfaith Phone Bank

Tuesday, October 8 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT

Join Side With Love, UU Justice NC, Pro-Choice North Carolina, and Carolina Jews for Justice for a phonebank calling North Carolina voters. The future of abortion access in North Carolina is on the line this election! Even though there isn't a ballot initiative, abortion is absolutely on the ballot in NC, because those we elect will either defend and advance abortion access, or keep banning it. People of faith are coming together to send a powerful message that reproductive rights are aligned with our values, so let's get on the phones and turn-out pro abortion voters this fall!

Register Now

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UPLIFT Access Resource Webinar

October 17 at 12pm - 1:30pm ET

Our loving faith calls us to honor the inherent rights and dignity of all people and to fight forms of oppression wherever we find it.

However, disabled people (who make up 26% of the population) regularly find ourselves pushed to the margins, being denied our needs, and not receiving the radical welcome UU’s aspire to provide to all members.

Lay leaders, religious professionals, and allies are invited to join us for our monthly lunchtime webinars where you can learn how to be more accessible and inclusive of your congregation’s disabled members and visitors.

Register Now

UPLIFT Trans/Nonbinary Monthly Gathering

September 24 at 8pm ET

Join the UPLIFT monthly gatherings for trans, nonbinary, and other not-entirely-or-at-all-cis UUs and friends of UUism. 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)!

This is a drop-in space, where folks can come and go as works best for them, and where people can join us at any time. You can be a regular or someone new, someone who's been curious for a while but hasn't yet checked us out, somebody who is rejoining after time away, and all other ways of relating to this space! You are welcome here, and you are loved.

Register Now

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Climate at the Intersections: Climate Justice is Gender Justice

In our newest video in our Climate at the Intersections series, Side With Love Climate Justice Organizer Rachel Myslivy and UU Women's Federation National Organizer Antoinette Scully explore how climate is a gender justice issue. 

We have some fantastic meetings planned this fall, and we hope to see you all soon!   Join the Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meetings for shared learning and mutual supports with other UUs working to transform our congregations through climate justice.

UU Climate Justice Revivals!

I know that many of you are busily preparing for your UU Climate Justice Revivals!  Keep up the good work, and remember that if you do the Revival activities as planned, they can serve in place of your Opportunity Assessment!  Win-win!  If you missed it, check out the recording of the UU Climate Justice Revival + GS2030 to learn how these activities overlap and support each other.  

If you haven’t signed up to host a Revival, there’s still time!  Many of our congregations are hosting their Revival later this year or in 2025.  Bonus!  We have mini-grants to support your work!  Sign up today!

New Video Series!  Climate at the Intersections

Explore our video series on Climate Justice at the Intersections, to discover how our climate justice intersects with social justice, economic justice, our UU theology, and more.  So far we have:

• Climate Justice is Social Justice 

• Climate Justice is Economic Justice

• Climate Justice and UU Values

• Climate Justice is Gender Justice

Fall Community Meetings

Our meetings will begin and end with some very special guests!  The September meeting, “What do I have to offer?” + the Social Change Ecosystem Framework will feature Deepa Iyer, author of Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection.  Consider this a must-attend training for nourishing impactful Green Sanctuary Teams!  In October, we’ll deepen our understanding of the UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice with the UUA President, Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, and UUSC President, Rev. Dr. Mary Katherine Morn.  In November, we’ll release the new Green Sanctuary 2030 Materials and the yearly renewal process.  These new materials will be even more manageable and accessible for all of our congregations.  Come get the inside scoop!  We’ll round out the year with the 35th anniversary celebration of the Green Sanctuary program featuring Pres. Sofía.

Register Now!

"What do I have to offer?" + the Social Change Ecosystem Framework

September 18, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET

We all have an important part to play in our congregation! To create a world that liberates all of us, we need each and every one of us. Deepa Iyer's Social Change Ecosystem Framework identifies ten "roles" all working towards and with the values of equity, liberation, justice, and solidarity. This framework is built on the recognition that we all have “innate gifts, lived experiences, learned skills, and formal and informal knowledge that can propel social change.” It also celebrates that we are fluid and adaptable, with our "role" changing from one context to the next. We’re using this framework in the UU Climate Justice Revival and in it can be helpful when bringing together you GS2030 Teams. Learn more about this powerful framework from the author, herself!

We will be giving away 50 copies of the Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection at this event.  You must be present to win.  Sign up today!

UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice with UUA Pres. Sofía and UUSC Pres. Mary Katherine Morn

October 16, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET

UUs have been at the leading edge of climate action for decades, but how does our faith call us to the work of climate justice? Join the Green Sanctuary 2030 Community for a watch party of the UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice Fireside Chat with UUA Pres. Sofía and UUSC Pres. Mary Katherine Morn. How does your faith call you to this work? Join the conversation! 

Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Gathering

November 20, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET

Topic TBD

Green Sanctuary Celebration and Call for Renewal with Pres. Sofía Betancourt

December 11, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM ET

Come together to celebrate 35 years of Green Sanctuary! From the 7th Principle Project to Mobilizing for Climate Justice, the Green Sanctuary process has transformed our congregations and our world. Join Pres. Sofía and friends for a celebration of Green Sanctuary and a call for renewal through Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice on Wednesday, December 11 at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET.

To create a world that liberates all of us, we need each and every one of us, whether in our roles in our congregation or in our wider community.

 Deepa Iyer is a South Asian American writer and advocate for justice who has developed ten "roles" -- all working towards and with the values of equity, liberation, justice, and solidarity -- in her new book from Skinner House, Social Change Ecosystem Framework.

 This framework is built on the recognition that we all have “innate gifts, lived experiences, learned skills, and formal and informal knowledge that can propel social change.” It also celebrates that we are fluid and adaptable, with our "role" changing from one context to the next.

 We’re using this framework in the UU Climate Justice Revival and in it can be helpful in your congregation's justice ministry or your everyday life! Learn more about this powerful framework from the author, herself, by joining our September 18th event. We'll be giving away 30 copies of this book during the event, too, so join us live for what we know will be an informative and inspiring gathering!

Register Now

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Host the UU Climate Justice Revival on Your Timeline!

Did you know that more than a third of our North American congregations are hosting a UU Climate Justice Revival? This is an incredible demonstration of the passion and commitment our denomination has to this transformative work - and your congregation can be a part of it, whether you can host your revival in September or not!

 The UU Climate Justice Revival is responsive to your unique needs and context, which means you can register now for the materials and schedule it whenever is best for your congregation. (We're requesting that all congregations offer their Revival before General Assembly 2025.)

✨ REGISTER TODAY ✨

 Here’s a sneak peak of the “How do we schedule the Revival” section of the Toolkit. You can make this schedule work in a variety of ways—whatever suits your congregation. You could host one-hour meetings on Zoom over the course of four Wednesdays or your congregation could have volunteers host house parties for the dialogs and a potluck. Be creative! If you’re still not sure how to swing it, email us at UURevival@UUA.org. We can brainstorm ideas!

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Connect with UU climate justice organizers & Side With Love staff on Slack!

Slack is a collaboration app that can be used on one's phone, computer, or web browser. Like a message board, it has various channels related to different topics and Side With Love has an active Slack account where UU volunteers, activists, and leaders can work together with Side With Love staff on a variety of topics and campaigns. Check out this intro packet to learn more and join!

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UU Climate Justice Revival Sermon Contest Winners!

Imagine that it's 2050 and we've achieved all of our wildest hopes for collective liberation. What is present in that re-imagined reality? What have our values led us to collectively abolish or move away from? How would our world transform if love was at the center of our climate actions and collective liberation were upheld as a uniting goal across all of the movement spaces that matter most?

With these questions in mind, the UU Climate Justice Revival planning team invited sermons that would ground us in this new reality. The number of submissions exceeded our expectations - evidence of the prophetic spirit and liberatory theology alive in our movement - and after much deliberation, we are proud to announce our sermon winners. 

Congratulations to:

• Andrew Batcher

• Lee Curran

• Diego Garrido Barreto

• Meleah Houseknecht

• Rev. Dr. Molly Housh Gordon

• Frances Koziar

• Edward Lynn

• Rev. Arif Mamdani

Learn more about each awardee and read their award-winning sermon. Recordings of each sermon will be available by September 5th. https://www.uuclimatejustice.org/sermon

On August 7, we hosted Green Sanctuary 2030 + the UU Climate Justice Revival to learn how both the Green Sanctuary 2030 community and the UU Climate Justice Revival can spark and light the way to transforming climate justice in your congregation. Watch the recording here.

On September 28-29, congregations will host UU Climate Justice Revivals to collectively reimagine a spirit-filled and liberatory future. Through conversations, worship, and advocacy, congregations will work together to realize climate justice and collective liberation in our communities. Congregations will receive everything they need to host a revival in their communities, including discussion guides and materials for all ages, training, worship resources, and advocacy actions designed to transform our communities through climate justice.

Resources from the meeting:

• View the presentation slides

• Watch President Rev. Sofía Betancourt's video, which was played on the fifth presentation slide

Let's Reimagine Together! Register your congregation for the UU Climate Justice Revival today! UUClimateJustice.org.

Siding with love means we center accessibility in all our programming and events.

Rev. Amanda Schuber, Disability Justice Associate on the Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team, offers some guidance for congregational staff and volunteers on how to center accessibility in programming.

Companioning One Another Through These Times

by Nicole Pressley
Organizing Strategy Director, Side With Love – Unitarian Universalist Association

On November 15, 2015, the Minneapolis Police Department killed a black man named Jamar Clark. That night, community members, organizers, and activists formed an encampment outside the Fourth Precinct to demand the release of the body camera footage and justice for Jamar Clark. For 20 days, as the Minnesota winter set in, businesses, organizations, unions, and people came together to build and sustain community. Meals were served, warm clothing was provided, and systems of care, security, and conflict resolution were designed. People danced. People sang. And people preached.

On a very late night, as many of us huddled under the propane heaters donated by the Sierra Club, Rev. Danny Givens preached a sermon about Henrietta Lacks, a black woman whose cells were used without her consent to lead to breakthroughs in science. He called us to remember the many ways in which that violation of black bodies feeds heteropatriarchal capitalism. He invited us into the powerful call to ground our work demanding justice for Jamar Clark in a broader demand to dismantle state violence and commit ourselves to black liberation.

This was the beginning of my journey into Unitarian Universalism. Rev. Danny Givens worked at Unity Church in St. Paul. At this encampment, I experienced “church” and activism in a new and powerful way that transformed my relationship to both. In my prior experience, sermons were delivered from ornate pulpits in the comfort of a building, not on a cold wet street under the threat of arrest and violence from police and white supremacists. The primary subjects were usually men whose stories felt too far away to be easily relevant to the struggles I find to be critical, as a black queer woman. Instead, he elevated the story of a black woman. Instead of focusing on salvation as a reward for our good deeds after death, he opened us up to the possibility of transformation and liberation as an urgent spiritual and political practice.

I reflected on this moment recently as I stood in solidarity with students at their encampment at Northeastern University. I was in Boston because I had the honor of being the respondent to the Minns Lecture, an annual Unitarian Universalist theological presentation, offered by Rev. Jason Lydon a few days previous. Rev. Jason spoke about the UU Service Committee’s National Moratorium on Prison Construction. He opened his remarks with the connection between the police violence against students on Emerson College’s campus and that of the cruelty of the prison system.  At the Shabbat service that followed the early morning raid and arrests of Northeastern students, attendees discussed the police repression on Emory’s campus and at Stop Cop City actions in Atlanta. In the midst of this political action, the U.S. Supreme Court heard a case on the criminalization of encampments of unhoused people across the country. With the Court’s ruling in favor of criminalization, students at elite universities and their unhoused neighbors will sit in the same jails, with the same charges, and for different reasons with vastly different resources. I think about how our jails will fill with trans people, medical professionals, and people seeking abortions, because life-saving care is also criminalized.

“If they take you in the morning, they will be come for us that night.”
—James Baldwin

Baldwin wrote these words on November 19, 1970 in a letter to Angela Davis in solidarity after her arrest. These words are not a warning like those we usually hear, “you’ll be next,” or, “first they came for…”. It is an understanding. Baldwin knows, deeply, that being targeted by the state can happen to anyone who finds themselves out of favor with those in power. LGBTQ, BIPOC, and disabled people, union organizers, sex workers, the unhoused, even women in bathing suits have found themselves the target of state based violence.

Criminalization as a tactic is not new, yet under increasingly fascist conditions in this country, we may find the connections between our struggles more easily.

As I wrote in this year’s 30 Days of Love, a project of the UUA’s Side with Love campaign: “before criminalization becomes a political tactic of disconnection and domination, it is first a spiritual acquiescence to dehumanization and disposability. We deny a moral mandate of mutuality in search of the protection of power over others.” Too often, we take up solidarity in a reaction to a threat. We use it as a political strategy, attempting to build larger coalitions as a means to pass or block legislation or win some other material demand for our communities. I hope that instead, like Baldwin, we can begin to know in our bones that our liberation is inextricably bound — that maybe, we are not just all we have, but we, together, are all we need. 

Did you know that almost 300 congregations are hosting a UU Climate Justice Revival! How amazing! In just a few days, the registered congregations will receive all of the materials to host a Revival. If you haven’t signed your congregation up yet, there’s still time! But… maybe you’re saying to yourself…

"Aw, we can’t join the Revival because [insert time conflict here]!"

If you’re one of the many people thinking this, I’m here to tell you that YOU CAN HOST YOUR REVIVAL ANY TIME AFTER SEPTEMBER 28!

Seriously. The Revival is responsive to your unique needs and context. If you need to host the Revival in October, later in the year, or even in 2025, that’s fine! ✨ REGISTER TODAY ✨

“Yeah, but we rent our space and have limited access to it. We can’t reserve it for the dialogs.”

Bummer! But you can STILL host a Revival! In the soon-to-be-released Facilitator’s Toolkit, we’ve crafted several sample schedules to help congregations figure out what would work best for them. Revival activities are super flexible and can be modified in many different ways. We’ve included several options for the Day 1 Dialogs:

• Quick and Easy: Afternoon Revival with Snacks

• Slow and Steady: Full Day Revival with Lunch and Snacks (and Optional Videos and Longer Breaks)

• The More the Merrier: Revival + Community Fair

• Saturday Dialogs

• Revival dialogs take place for one hour over four days

Here’s a sneak peak of the “How do we schedule the Revival” section of the Toolkit. You can make this schedule work in a variety of ways—whatever suits your congregation. You could host one-hour meetings on Zoom over the course of four Wednesdays or your congregation could have volunteers host house parties for the dialogs and a potluck. Be creative! If you’re still not sure how to swing it, email us at UURevival@UUA.org. We can brainstorm ideas! ✨ REGISTER TODAY ✨

“We really want to do the Revival, but our budget is t-i-i-i-ght! Is there any support for congregations who need some extra help to host a Revival?”

We sure understand that! The UU Climate Justice Revival is designed to be accessible to all congregations, regardless of size or resources.

Thanks to the generous support of the UUA and Revival sponsors, we are offering mini-grants to support congregations who need additional resources to be able to host a Revival. If this sounds like you, ✨ REGISTER TODAY ✨ and then fill out this UU Climate Justice Revival Mini-Grant Support Request form to let us know the kind of support you need. There are limited funds available, so we can't guarantee every request will be filled, but we’re going to do our very best to make it happen!

“Ok, so now that we’re registered and ready to go, what can we do to get our congregation excited!?

So much!

• You can start getting your team together with the Welcome Packet

• Read and share this awesome article about the Revival!

• Start identifying your volunteer facilitators

• Mark August 1 on your calendar and start counting down the days to the materials release!

• Register for Info Sessions and Facilitator Trainings

• Host watch parties of Side With Love’s new Climate at the Intersections video series, including Climate Justice is Social Justice with Rachel Myslivy, Climate Justice Strategist

• Climate Justice is Economic Justice with Nicole Pressley, Organizing Strategy Team Director

• Climate Justice and UU Values with Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd, UUA Director of Communications and Public Ministry

On July 20, we offered a virtual workshop to talk about abortion, led by Caroline Duble, Political Director of Avow Texas. Watch the recording here.

Talking about abortion is the first step to busting stigma, stopping harmful restrictions, and expanding access. We learned how to have deeper conversations about abortion that are rooted in values and facts, defuse extremist talking points, and develop skills to use in one-on-one conversations.

Resources from the webinar:

• View the presentation slides

• Join our UU the Vote x Yeson4 Phonebank on Thursday, September 5 at 6pm ET

• Join Yeson4’s Weekly Phonebanks

• Learn more about Avow Texas

• Learn more about ongoing work of the National Network of Abortion Funds

On July 17, we hosted Green Sanctuary 2030 + the UU Climate Justice Revival to learn how both the Green Sanctuary 2030 community and the UU Climate Justice Revival can spark and light the way to transforming climate justice in your congregation. Watch the recording here.

On September 28-29, congregations will host UU Climate Justice Revivals to collectively reimagine a spirit-filled and liberatory future. Through conversations, worship, and advocacy, congregations will work together to realize climate justice and collective liberation in our communities. Congregations will receive everything they need to host a revival in their communities, including discussion guides and materials for all ages, training, worship resources, and advocacy actions designed to transform our communities through climate justice.

Resources from the meeting:

• View the presentation slides

• Watch President Rev. Sofía Betancourt's video, which was played on the second presentation slide

Let's Reimagine Together! Register your congregation for the UU Climate Justice Revival today! UUClimateJustice.org.

by Rev. Amanda Schuber, Disability Justice Associate, UUA Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team

Image 1: Image has a black background. To the left is a stack of watercolor style hearts in the following colors: green, blue, white, yellow, and red. Text in white reads: A Blessing for Disability Pride Month by Rev. Amanda Schuber, Disability Justice Associate, UUA Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team.

Image 2: Image has a black background. To the left is a stack of watercolor style hearts in the following colors: green, blue, white, yellow, and red. Text in white reads: Spirit of Life and Spirit of Love, July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate our community's diversity, tenacity, and adaptability.

Image 3: Image has a black background. To the left is a stack of watercolor style hearts in the following colors: green, blue, white, yellow, and red. Text in white reads: It’s a time to acknowledge the work being done towards a more accessible and welcoming world.

Image 4: Image has a black background. To the left is a stack of watercolor style hearts in the following colors: green, blue, white, yellow, and red. Text in white reads: This month, we lift up those who have fought tirelessly each day to ensure that everybody (every body) is honored as sacred and holy.

Image 5: Image has a black background. To the left is a stack of watercolor style hearts in the following colors: green, blue, white, yellow, and red. Text in white reads: We send love and care to those who have not been served well, who have been abused or forgotten.

Image 6: Image has a black background. To the left is a stack of watercolor style hearts in the following colors: green, blue, white, yellow, and red. Text in white reads: May we remember the fierce souls of our movement who have died this past yea as we carry their legacy forward.

Image 7: Image has a black background. To the left is a stack of watercolor style hearts in the following colors: green, blue, white, yellow, and red. Text in white reads: The Disability Community is one grounded in resilience and connection.

Image 8: Image has a black background. To the left is a stack of watercolor style hearts in the following colors: green, blue, white, yellow, and red. Text in white reads: May we hold fast to the promise of a future that is inclusive, welcoming, and accessible for all.

Download the zip file of images

Spirit of Life and Spirit of Love, July is Disability Pride Month, a time to celebrate our community's diversity, tenacity, and adaptability.

It’s a time to acknowledge the work being done towards a more accessible and welcoming world.

This month, we lift up those who have fought tirelessly each day to ensure that everybody (every body) is honored as sacred and holy.

We send love and care to those who have not been served well or who have been abused or forgotten.

May we remember the fierce souls of our movement who have died this past year as we carry their legacy forward.

The Disability Community is one grounded in resilience and connection.

May we hold fast to the promise of a future that is inclusive, welcoming, and accessible for all.

Queer Youth of Faith Day is celebrated on June 30th. According to Beloved Arise, "1 in 5 LGBTQ youth say their faith is important to them." As a religious denomination committed to LGBTQIA+ liberation, Side With Love is pleased to share this blessing for queer youth of faith, penned by Side With Love Leadership Development Specialist Rev. Cathy Rion Starr (they/them/theirs).

A Blessing for Queer Youth of Faith

Bless you, for who you are, right now, right here.

Bless you in your queerness, your genderfabulousness, your questioning, wondering, exploring, declaring. Bless you in the words you create and evolve and claim for yourself. May you relish your divinity as you dismantle binaries and create beautiful worlds of infinite possibilities. May those of us who are not queer respect you, learn from you, and show up for you as you need.

Bless you in your youth, your brilliance, your ideas, your curiosity, your incredible leadership right now (let alone what is to come). May you be fortified in the face of adultism and may you inhabit the fullness of your being. May those of us who are not youth respect you, learn from you, and show up for you as you need.

Bless you in your faith, your precious connection with the sacred, tradition, community, belief and action that guides your life and holds you through the storms and celebrations of life. May your faith sustain you when your faith tradition honors you and when it harms you. May those who hold faiths that judge you come to know how very sacred and perfect you are. May those of us from all sorts of faith traditions respect you, learn from you, and show up for you as you need.

May all of us – queer and straight, trans and cis, young – younger -old and elder, faithful and faith-allergic -- bless you as your full, beautiful, queer, young, sacred self.

Bless you as YOU. Know that you are enough right now, right here; and you are ever evolving, growing, deepening as your imperfectly perfect self.

May we bless all queer youth of faith, all queer youth, all queer and trans and questioning people, all youth on our collective journey towards liberation.

May you be blessed with the glitter of joy, dances of liberation, bricks of safety, and the nourishment of radical love.

On May 15, Side With Love offered our May Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting: Climate Justice Brainstorm! Watch the recording here.

Advancing climate justice is one of the essentials of the Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice... but how do we do that... exactly? We joined other UU Congregations for our annual Climate Justice Brainstorm to hear what's worked, what hasn't, and how we're learning, supporting each other, and adapting along the way.

We hope you'll join us at one of our upcoming UU Climate Justice Revival Info Sessions.

Are you excited for the first-ever UU Climate Justice Revival... but... still have so many questions? Is it on Zoom or in person? Can kids participate? Is it a regional or national event? When we do new and different things, questions are expected! Come to the UU Climate Justice Revival Info Session and get all your questions answered!

Register for any session:

• Tuesday, May 21 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET

• Wednesday, May 29 at 10am PT / 1pm ET

• Thursday, June 6 at 2pm PT / 5pm ET

May 16th is the 13th Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). UUA Accessibility Resources Coordinator Gretchen Maune shares this reflection on digital accessibility.

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In 2007, I was staying at a blind rehabilitation center in Kansas City. Six months prior, I had gone from having 20/15 vision to being almost completely blind over eight rough weeks. I was 24 years old and needed to complete just 15 more credits to finish my Bachelor’s in English so I could move on to grad school, but first, I had to figure out how.

While I enjoyed learning Braille, and techniques for cooking without sight, most of my motivation was reserved for learning to use a computer again. Starting with my family’s Apple II GS, I had been using computers for the vast majority of my life. Being unable to use one for the last several months had made everything from writing capstone papers, to playing Morrowind, to messaging friends impossible, and I was miserable. Cut off from so much, I didn’t know how I was supposed to live my life anymore. When my rehab counselor told me there was software that made it possible for blind people to use a computer, I felt hope and clung to it.

Through the help of a text-to-speech screen reading program called JAWS, I quickly adapted to navigating Windows with my ears instead of my eyes. My instructor, Jim, was the first blind person I can ever remember meeting, and I will be forever grateful to him for all he taught me. One day, as I was practicing surfing the web (come on, it was the 00’s) I found myself becoming increasingly frustrated with a particular website. The techniques I’d been taught weren’t working, and though I creatively strove to find a solution, I eventually found myself giving up. Confused, I asked Jim what I was doing wrong, but the answer he gave me was “nothing at all.” That was the day I learned about digital accessibility.

Assistive technologies like screen readers make participating in society possible for me and countless other disabled people. However, these tools can’t make content accessible all by themselves. Application developers, page designers, instructional material creators, and anyone posting something to the internet (so, that would be just about everyone) have to do their part as well, building, editing, or sharing with accessibility in mind.

Thankfully, my UUA colleague, Kasey Kruser, knows just how important digital accessibility is, and is always keeping it in mind with her work. When asked why she thinks accessibility is important as a web developer, she says, “Making our sites as accessible as possible is a great way to help people feel welcomed and included right from the start. Whatever else might be going on in their lives, whatever brought them to our site, I want to know I've done my best to remove frustrations and roadblocks; I hope my efforts make life that much easier for everyone in or looking for our community.”

As someone who relies on accessibility for my professional, entertainment, and spiritual needs, I am reminded daily that we’re all in this together. On this 13th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day, let us design our websites, create our documents, and share our social media with love.

A few of the resources I recommend:

• The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, WCAG, are standards for making digital content accessible to disabled users. These standards are required by many countries and other entities across the globe. Learn more with this WCAG primer.

• Whether you’re using mostly text, tables, or graphics, increase your inclusive practices with this guide to creating accessible Microsoft Office documents.

• Engage with official GAAD Events and Resources and learn to make your content more accessible!

Gretchen Maune, MPA, CPACC :: she/they

Accessibility Resources Coordinator

UUA Ministries and Faith Development

Video recording of April 17 meeting

Overview
Rev. Cathy Rion Starr led us through the Universe of Possibility presentation, after which we all spent some time drawing our unique Universe of Possibility for work we're doing in our congregations and communities. We reflected on questions like: 

• How many people are in each circle? Who’s in your core?

• Is your committee reflective of the congregation as a whole in terms of demographics and interests?

• What do you invite folks to at each level?

• How is the flow of leaders in and out of the circles?

• What are your hopes & dreams for your universe? What changes would you like to make?

It was so helpful to frame our work through this tool, but don't take my word for it, here's what some of your peers said:

• "Love this tool and this group… looking forward to working with y’all!" - Sharon G.

• "Thank you, Rev. Cathy, for reminding us about the importance of different levels of involvement!" - Diane D.

• "This is a great topic — impactful teams! Our UU congregation has many teams and they all operate differently. Love this model and I think we can apply it broadly. I hope to learn more about building community and spiritual connection simultaneously. Thank you!" - Carolyn T.

• "I loved this! Lots to think about and weave into all my future efforts!" - Dorothy S.

This will definitely be a workshop we reference time and again in the coming months!

Resources from the meeting:

• Introductory slides

• Rev. Cathy's slides

• All resources to engage with the Universe of Possibility

Links shared:

• Check out our Green Sanctuary page to subscribe to receive updates, join the process, RSVP for upcoming events, and more

• Sign up for all of our Green Sanctuary 2030 & Climate Justice events

• Join the Green Sanctuary 2030 Community!

•  The link to the Action Report Form is here: bit.ly/GS-ACTIONS

• Check out the Building and Community Transformation Resources

• Sign up to host Reimagine Together: from an Extractive Age to a New Era this September 28-29 at UUClimateJustice.org

The urgency of the climate crisis can sometimes lead folks to believe that integrating justice into our climate actions is a distraction.  “Don’t we need a singular focus on reducing emissions to save the planet?” or “Once we solve climate change, then we can focus on racial justice,” and even “We’ve been fighting racism forever; we only have a few years to fix climate change,” are murmurs in climate spaces.

For many of our congregations engaging in the Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice process, integrating justice into our climate actions can be the most challenging part of the work.  When I hear anxieties about folding justice into our on-going work, I always remind our teams that while it may feel like the most challenging, it is also the part of our work with the most opportunity and the most potential for impact!   

As people of faith,  ours is the work of collective liberation.  If we honor the interconnectedness of all life, justice for all must be our guiding principle.  

For as many problems climate change poses to our world, there are even more solutions that cultivate a flourishing world for all.  When we put our faith into action not just to reduce emissions but also to create thriving communities for all, we’re nurturing collective liberation. 

If we reject the scarcity mindsets that pit our climate action teams in competition with our racial justice teams, we embrace abundance in our shared ministries.  If we cultivate trusting relationships within our congregations and our communities, we amplify our impacts.  If we faithfully advance intersectional climate actions with love at the center of our work, we co-create a future where all communities thrive.  Just imagine the beauty, the joy, the togetherness, the solutions, the stronger communities, the flourishing world that will come from these shared ministries.    

Friends, this is why I am so excited to invite you all to join the UU Climate Justice Revival, “Reimagine Together: From an Extractive Age to a New Era” this September!

Bring your congregation, your justice teams, your problem solvers, and your dreamers together for a powerful weekend of togetherness through shared dialogs, inspirational worship, and collective actions designed to intentionally and faithfully break down silos, cultivate connections, and envision the world we want to create, and chart a course for actions that cultivate that world. 

Together, we can shift our work to be less isolated, more connected; less anxious, more nourishing; less limited, more visionary.  Let’s reimagine together a world where love guides our actions and all communities thrive.  We can’t do it without you, so sign your congregation up today for the UU Climate Justice Revival on September 28-29. 

You can read more on our website: UUClimateJustice.org, or check out our Frequently Asked Questions and the Overview which explains all the beautiful work happening to bring the revival to your congregation.   As always, you can email me at Environment@UUA.org with any questions.  

In community,

Rachel

Rachel Myslivy (she/they)

Climate Justice Organizer

Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team

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UU Climate Justice Revival, September 28 - 29, 2024

Register Your Congregation Now to participate September 28-29, 2024!

Join with hundreds of sibling congregations across the continent for our national UU Climate Revival, offering inspiring collective worship, creative learning, and new frameworks at the intersection of climate and justice.

The UU Climate Revival will equip UU congregations to enter into a new era of climate action—one that intentionally and faithfully breaks down silos and cultivates relationships that lead to flourishing collaborations that transform our congregations through climate justice.

Open to every UU congregation of every size and budget, we will provide facilitation toolkits, training, music, projects, coordinated justice action and more! Find out more at www.uuclimatejustice.org.

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Join the Line 5 Petition 

(Line 5 is a 645-mile pipeline from Superior, Wisconsin, to Sarnia, Ontario. The 30-inch diameter pipe transports up to 540,000 barrels of crude oil and natural gas liquids daily.)

The Women’s Earth & Climate Action Network (WECAN) is sharing a petition drive and a new video just released highlighting Indigenous women leaders fighting to stop Line 5 and protect water, climate, and Indigenous rights. The petition drive joins growing national and regional efforts to stop Line 5 permanently.

• Watch the new WECAN video here.

• Join the petition here.

Petition signatures will be delivered ahead of the premiere of the Bad River documentary film, taking place in Washington, D.C., with invited government leaders and officials. Indigenous women leaders, WECAN, Sierra Club-Wisconsin, and others will deliver the petition signatures on March 13 to the Army Corps offices in Washington, D.C.

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Keep Calling And Writing: How the Climate Justice Movement Affects Federal Legislation

UUs for Social Justice presents a Zoom policy talk by Katie Thomas Carol, Esq., Director of Energy and Environment Programs for the CPC Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that identifies and develops solutions to build a more just, equitable, and resilient nation.

RSVP for April 4th, 8:00 p.m. EST / 5:00 p.m. PST

With almost a decade on Capitol Hill working energy and environmental policy and legislation, Katie will speak in her personal capacity about how UUs can drive the progressive agenda.

Katie will highlight examples of her work as Staff Director for the U.S. House of Representatives Oversight Subcommittee on the Environment for Rep. Ro Khanna and Senior Policy Advisor for Energy and Environment to Senator Bernie Sanders before that.

Happily, Katie is also a UU. RSVP and attend to create a lovely, robust, informative Earth Month event.

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Available Now - Climate Justice & Racial Reconciliation in Predominantly White Congregations

On March 20, we joined Dorothy Swain of UUs of Grants Pass and Gabi Johnson with the Pursuit Church of the Nazarene, both from Grants Pass, Oregon, for our Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting on Climate Justice & Racial Reconciliation in Predominantly White Congregations. Check out the recording and resources!

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Nourishing Impactful Teams

As we work to transform our congregations and communities through climate justice, a strong and dynamic team is critical. Join Rev. Cathy Rion Starr, Side With Love Leadership Development Specialist, for tips on how to bring together and nourish a cohesive and impactful team! Register to join us!

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 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET. Each meeting includes a brief introduction to the Green Sanctuary 2030 process and a presentation on a climate justice topic usually led by a Green Sanctuary 2030 Team followed by an open discussion.

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Remind Congress We Still Need The Environmental Justice for All Act

We still want Congress to act on "the moral principle that all people have the right to pure air, clean water, and an environment that enriches life." We still agree "Federal policy can and should seek to achieve environmental justice, health equity, and climate justice for all underserved communities," let's urge them to do so. Last year's passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was a significant step toward greater investment in clean energy.

Unfortunately, some provisions of the IRA are expected to stimulate fossil fuel production and worsen pollution in areas already saturated by heavy industry. Now, in the new Congressional Session, the House is proposing legislation intended to loosen procedural protections around energy projects. This includes efforts to undermine cornerstone environmental protections like the National Environmental Policy Act, and measures that will increase the risk to public health.

Tell Congress: Support the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act!

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Register for the 2024 National Faith + Climate Forum

We are excited to invite you to join us for an inspiring and transformative event designed to strengthen local congregations through care for creation – The National Faith + Climate Forum on April 16th from 12:00 pm - 5:15 pm ET / 11:00 am - 4:15 pm CT / 10:00 am - 3:15 pm MT / 9:00 am - 2:15 pm PT!

Join other faith leaders in our area to hear inspiring national speakers and participate in purposeful discussions, practical workshops, and energizing collaborative sessions. All clergy and lay leaders, younger and older congregants, are welcome to join, whether you have been caring for creation for some time, or just getting started. We all can be part of the solution in our congregations and our community. Learn more and register here. 

The urgency of the climate crisis can sometimes lead folks to believe that integrating justice into our climate actions is a distraction.  “Don’t we need a singular focus on reducing emissions to save the planet?” or “Once we solve climate change, then we can focus on racial justice,” and even “We’ve been fighting racism forever; we only have a few years to fix climate change,” are murmurs in climate spaces.

For many of our congregations engaging in the Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice process, integrating justice into our climate actions can be the most challenging part of the work.  When I hear anxieties about folding justice into our on-going work, I always remind our teams that while it may feel like the most challenging, it is also the part of our work with the most opportunity and the most potential for impact!   

As people of faith,  ours is the work of collective liberation.  If we honor the interconnectedness of all life, justice for all must be our guiding principle.  

For as many problems climate change poses to our world, there are even more solutions that cultivate a flourishing world for all.  When we put our faith into action not just to reduce emissions but also to create thriving communities for all, we’re nurturing collective liberation. 

If we reject the scarcity mindsets that pit our climate action teams in competition with our racial justice teams, we embrace abundance in our shared ministries.  If we cultivate trusting relationships within our congregations and our communities, we amplify our impacts.  If we faithfully advance intersectional climate actions with love at the center of our work, we co-create a future where all communities thrive.  Just imagine the beauty, the joy, the togetherness, the solutions, the stronger communities, the flourishing world that will come from these shared ministries.    

Friends, this is why I am so excited to invite you all to join the UU Climate Justice Revival, “Reimagine Together: From an Extractive Age to a New Era” this September.  Bring your congregation, your justice teams, your problem solvers, and your dreamers together for a powerful weekend of togetherness through shared dialogs, inspirational worship, and collective actions designed to intentionally and faithfully break down silos, cultivate connections, and envision the world we want to create, and chart a course for actions that cultivate that world.  Together, we can shift our work to be less isolated, more connected; less anxious, more nourishing; less limited, more visionary.  Let’s reimagine together a world where love guides our actions and all communities thrive.  We can’t do it without you, so sign your congregation up today for the UU Climate Justice Revival on September 28-29.  You can read more on our website: UUClimateJustice.org, or check out our Frequently Asked Questions and the Overview which explains all the beautiful work happening to bring the revival to your congregation.   As always, you can email me at Environment@UUA.org with any questions.  

In community,

Rachel

Rachel Myslivy (she/they)

Climate Justice Organizer

Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team

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Reimagine Together: From an Extractive Age to a New Era

Register Your Congregation Now to participate September 28-29, 2024!

Join with hundreds of sibling congregations across the continent for our national UU Climate Revival, offering inspiring collective worship, creative learning, and new frameworks at the intersection of climate and justice.

The UU Climate Revival will equip UU congregations to enter into a new era of climate action—one that intentionally and faithfully breaks down silos and cultivates relationships that lead to flourishing collaborations that transform our congregations through climate justice.

Open to every UU congregation of every size and budget, we will provide facilitation toolkits, training, music, projects, coordinated justice action and more! Find out more at www.uuclimatejustice.org.

By Jeff Milchen
March 28, 2024

When Nex Benedict — a Two Spirit (nonbinary) Choctaw youth -- died one day after being beaten by other students in the girls room at Owasso, Oklahoma High School, the event generated rare public awareness. Benedict’s death in February appeared around the nation in news coverage of what was later labeled a drug-induced suicide by local officials.

But despite the lack of attention, suicides among LGBTQIA+ youth are tragically common. According to The Trevor Project, about half of transgender youth seriously considered suicide in the past year, and it was the second-leading cause of death among ten to fourteen year-old members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Further, young LGBTQIA+ people of color reported much higher rates of attempting suicide than their white peers.

Rev. Jami Yandle, the Unitarian Universalist Association’s  Transgender Support Specialist, believes transphobia and harassment led directly to Benedict’s death. “Imagine sticking up for yourself, getting in a fight, and then having to go to school following that incident -- and probably hundreds of others -- with no protections and feeling so much of the world against you at such a young age,” said Yandle.

The environment Yandle describes was created largely by deliberate scapegoating. In 2022, Oklahoma’s overwhelmingly Republican state legislature banned transgender females from playing on female sports teams. The following year, the state made it a felony crime for health care workers to provide gender-affirming medical care to young transgender people, despite the medical community overwhelmingly supporting such care. Another 2023 law required students to use bathrooms that match the sex listed on their birth certificates.

Fueling the hostile setting in Oklahoma, right wing agitators are trying to ban many books depicting gay and transgender people from school libraries.

Of course, a gender-neutral bathroom could have been a life-saver for Benedict. “Nex deserved to grow up; to live long enough to have gray hair. So, when we talk about anti-trans legislation, this is literally a life and death issue,” said Rev. Yandle.

Unfortunately, Oklahoma is far from exceptional. As of March 2024, more than 470 state bills were active that attack the equality, dignity, and free expression of LGBTQIA+people, with many directly targeting transgender youth. Some bills would criminalize the very existence of Transgender and Gender Expansive people (the Unitarian Universalist Association and many UU State Action Networks have spoken out against and are working to thwart those bills). 

Trangender Day of Visibility may seem modest in the face of such legislative onslaughts until you learn fewer than half of U.S. residents say they personally know someone who is transgender, meaning their opinions are formed entirely from what they absorb from media, politicians, and other people, not from personal experience. Transgender people are among the last who can successfully be portrayed as dangerous “others,” because gender identity is not well-understood by many Americans. 

Earlier movements to advance civil rights for LGBTQIA+ people accelerated dramatically when millions of Americans “came out” to family and friends, dismantling the ability of oppressors to portray people as threatening or dangerous based on their sexual preferences. The same will surely hold true for advancing gender equality.

In supporting the importance of gender expansive people “coming out,” Rev. Yandle says “because I'm white,  I feel an obligation to be out and loud, and use what little privilege I have -- to be a little more bold to pave way for folks who may feel like it's unsafe. So they have a visual marker of somebody who is aging and will hopefully grow old enough to get gray hair.”

“That visibility is why I also sometimes wear my collar when I'm at a rally or public event…so that everybody can see,  there's a trans person who's also an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister,” said Yandle. 

UUs have a long history of working to advance LGBTQIA+ rights and, in a recent nationwide survey by Public Religion Research Institute, led all included denominations in supporting nondiscrimination protections (93 percent) and inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals within congregations (29 percent).  

But Rev. Yandle stresses the need for UUs to push themselves and their congregations to keep working. “I don't want to minimize the life saving capability of using somebody's correct pronouns, but that's the least you can do. It all comes down to organizing, and bodies in state capitols, and going to legislator’s offices, to be in their faces.”

Special Event
Join UPLIFT and TRUUsT Director Rev. Julián Jamaica Soto for an online gathering to celebrate all Trans & Nonbinary people following Trans Day of Visibility. Tuesday, April 2 at 5pm PT / 8pm ET. Register today!

Related Resources 

Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity 101

10 Ways to be More Welcoming and Inclusive of Transgender People

The Body Politic: Faithful UUs Showing Up for Trans Justice. Webinar Recording & Resources

Combating Anti-Trans Legislation 101. Webinar from Side With Love.

Talking points and tools to help UUs thwart anti-transgender bills and attacks.

UPLIFT Action A Side With Love campaign organizing for LGBTQIA+, Gender, and Reproductive Justice.

Pink Haven Coalition unites various UU entities working to protect trans people.

Transgender Inclusion in Congregations,  a training program by the Transforming Hearts Collective

The Trevor Project provides immediate counseling support for LGBTQIA+ people in distress.

On March 20, we joined Dorothy Swain of UUs of Grants Pass and Gabi Johnson with the Pursuit Church of the Nazarene, both from Grants Pass, Oregon, for our Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting on Climate Justice & Racial Reconciliation in Predominantly White Congregations. Check out the recording and resources shared below.

Dorothy and Gabi's community organizing on Grants Pass Remembrance: from Sundown to Sunrise exemplified interfaith partnership and climate justice actions deeply rooted in the context of oppression in their community. They shared tons of great resources all linked below.

We hope to see you for April's Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting on Nourishing Impactful Teams with Rev. Cathy Rion Starr on April 17. RSVP today!

Resources from the meeting:

• UUs of Grants Pass

• Pursuit Church of the Nazarene

• Grants Pass Remembrance (Linktree and YouTube)

• UUGP Picturing Climate Justice Service

• Taylor Stewart's TED talk, How Do You Reconcile a Lynching?

• Oregon Remembrance Project

• Northwest Seasonal Workers Association

• Sustainable Rogue Valley

• Grants Pass Sustainability Plan 

• Southern Oregon Climate Action Now

• Siskiyou Field Institute

• Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center

• Rogue Climate

• Pollinator Project Rogue Valley

• Williams Community Forest Project

• Water League

We’ve all heard about the funding available for congregations to advance clean energy through Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding, but…really…don’t we all still have questions about how it works?! We joined other UUs figuring out how to put these opportunities into action in our communities.

In this 2024 webinar, Peg MacMorris with Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, CO, shared the way her congregation is approaching installing solar with IRA funds and Sabina Shelby with the Unitarian Church of West Hartford, CT, talked us through the Financial Incentives for Energy Investments at Houses of Worship document the IRA PLC group created to help congregations access IRA funds.

Watch the recording below or on Vimeo.

Following the presentation, Michael Cohen with Solar United Neighbors and First Unitarian Church of Orlando, FL, and Russell Outcalt from UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC, chimed in with Peg and Sabina to answer questions from the audience.

Resources from the meeting:

• Financial Incentives for Energy Investments at Houses of Worship

• Building and Community Transformation Resources

Mark your calendars for the March 20 Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting: Climate Justice and Racial Reconciliation in a Predominately White Congregation with Dorothy Swain of the UUs of Grants Pass, OR. Justice is one of our four Essentials for Climate Action, and it’s often the one our congregations struggle with the most . . . or, as I like to say, the one with the most opportunity! I hope to see you for some shared learning and mutual supports at this or any of our Green Sanctuary 2030 Community meetings.

Wow, was our February meeting inspirational or what?! Huge thanks to Russ Outcalt and the UU Fellowship of Raleigh for sharing the ways they’re Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with GS2030. I love hearing how our congregations are engaging with the Green Sanctuary 2030 process, and the UUs in Raleigh are doing stellar work! Check out the recording below, and while you’re at it get your congregation involved with UUSJ’s Environmental Justice for All Actions, also linked below!

Big thanks to our UU congregational leaders who shared their knowledge at our Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle this month! Peg MacMorris with Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, CO, shared the way her congregation is approaching installing solar with IRA funds and Sabina Shelby with the Unitarian Church of West Hartford, CT, talked us through the Financial Incentives for Energy Investments at Houses of Worship document the IRA PLC group created to help congregations access IRA funds.

Following the presentation, Michael Cohen with Solar United Neighbors and First Unitarian Church of Orlando, FL, and Russ Outcalt from UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC, chimed in with Peg and Sabina to answer questions from the audience. If you missed the presentations or want to review alllllll of the information shared (it was a lot!), look for the link to the recording below.

Financial Incentives for Energy Investments at Houses of Worship is a wealth of information and resources for congregations looking to access federal funding for clean energy. In addition to details about federal funds, there’s a section on UU specific funding opportunities you can use to leverage IRA funds. Towards the end of the document, there are links to all of the webinars we’ve held related to the historical investments in clean energy available in the IRA.

Check —> It —-> Out! —> Here!

We hope to see you at the Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting: Orientation on Wednesday, March 6 at 7ET.

New Resources Available

Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle for Congregations

We’ve all heard about the funding available for congregations to advance clean energy through Inflation Reduction Act Funding, but…really…don’t we all still have questions about how it works?! Thanks to everyone who came together to learn and share information at the Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle to learn with other UUs figuring out how to put these opportunities into action in our communities. Watch the recording, and get up to speed by reading this short primer on the opportunities available for congregations.

Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with GS2030!

On February 21, we learned from the recently recognized Green Sanctuary 2030 Congregation, the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC, about the ways their congregation renewed their environmental justice commitments through the GS2030 process. View the recording and resources.

Climate Justice and Racial Reconciliation in a Predominately White Congregation

Integrating justice in our climate work is essential, but many UU congregations struggle with this component of the Green Sanctuary 2030 process. Join Dorothy Swain from UUs of Grants Pass, OR, and her colleague Gabi Johnsen from the Pursuit Church of the Nazarene, to learn about the ways their congregations are advancing climate justice in a predominantly white, rural community. Register to join us!

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 8ET - 7CT - 6MT - 5PT. Each meeting includes a short presentation on a climate justice topic, followed by open discussion on pressing needs.

Remind Congress We Still Need The Environmental Justice for All Act

We still want Congress to act on "the moral principle that all people have the right to pure air, clean water, and an environment that enriches life." We still agree "Federal policy can and should seek to achieve environmental justice, health equity, and climate justice for all underserved communities," let's urge them to do so. Last year's passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) was a significant step toward greater investment in clean energy.

Unfortunately, some provisions of the IRA are expected to stimulate fossil fuel production and worsen pollution in areas already saturated by heavy industry. Now, in the new Congressional Session, the House is proposing legislation intended to loosen procedural protections around energy projects. This includes efforts to undermine cornerstone environmental protections like the National Environmental Policy Act, and measures that will increase the risk to public health.

Tell Congress: Support the A. Donald McEachin Environmental Justice for All Act!

Reimagine Together: From an Extractive Age to a New Era

Register your congregation for the UU Climate Revival today!

As climate change rocks our world, there is a spirit at work in the congregations and movements committed to justice.

As we make the connections between climate and justice, we are called to re-imagine what it means to do this urgent work in community. As we make the connections between climate and justice, we are called to re-imagine what it means to do this urgent work in community. How can our climate work be:

• Less isolated, more connected;

• Less anxious, more nourishing; and

• Less limited; more visionary? 

Through worship, laughter, learning, reflection, lamentation, and joy, we can feed our spirits and move forward nourished and connected with love at the center of our climate actions. Together, we can move from a deadly era of extraction to a flourishing era of connection. 

Join us on September 28 and 29 for a national UU Climate Revival offering inspiring collective worship, creative learning, and new frameworks at the intersection of climate and justice, and the chance to weave together the threads that have always linked our deepest commitments. The UU Climate Revival will equip UU congregations to enter into a new era of climate action—one that intentionally and faithfully breaks down silos and cultivates relationships that lead to flourishing collaborations that transform our congregations through climate justice.

Register your congregation today! The form also includes the opportunity to become a sponsor! 

Upcoming Orientations

If you’re interested in learning what is new with Green Sanctuary 2030 and our new, flexible process; or if you want other leaders in your congregation to understand how powerful this program is for wider community change, join one of our upcoming orientations! Held the first Wednesday of each month at 4pm PT / 7pm ET, this orientation presents our new, flexible, accessible process and the opportunity to speak with me about what your congregation has been doing. Register now!

The Green Sanctuary 2030 process provides congregations with an accessible and impactful framework to advance climate and environmental justice. On February 21, we learned from the recently recognized Green Sanctuary 2030 Congregation, the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC, about the ways their congregation renewed their environmental justice commitments through the GS2030 process. See the recording and resources below.

Resources from the meeting:

• View the presentation slides from Side With Love

• View the presentation slides from Russell Outcalt from UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC

• Check out our Green Sanctuary page to subscribe to receive updates, join the process, RSVP for upcoming events, and more

• Sign up for all of our Green Sanctuary 2030 & Climate Justice events

• View GS2030 Active Congregations

• Engage your community around the Environmental Justice for All Act:

• Action: bit.ly/UUSJ_EJ4All2023

• Poster: bit.ly/EJ4All-23_Poster

• Sign up for UUSJ Action Alerts at UUSJ.org

Questions? Email Environment@UUA.org.

Over the next couple of weeks you may hear murmurs of a gathering for UUs to deepen our commitments to climate justice…in the coming months, we hope those murmurs will turn into a cacophony of excitement around the UU Climate Revival. Reimagine Together: From an Extractive Age to a New Era will connect our congregations through inspiring collective worship, creative learning, new frameworks at the intersection of climate and justice, and the chance to weave together the threads that have always linked our deepest commitments.  Two words for you: “Stay Tuned!” Or maybe three words are better: “Don’t miss this!” 

As we’ve been envisioning this powerful event, I am now (and forever!) reflecting on the question: how can we center love in the climate movement? For me, it’s all about relationships. I do not want to build the world that is right for me, I want to collaboratively cultivate a world where all communities thrive. 

This means shifting from a singular mindset, a narrow focus, a myopic vision into an expansive reimagining, an abundance of possibility, and - yes, friends - collective liberation for all. There is no quick and easy fix to the problems of our world. For me, there are unbounded possibilities when I recognize that I alone do not have the answer. Of course, I can’t single handedly solve the complex, interconnected crisis that is climate change, but goodness sometimes it’s easy to fall into that mindset. There’s no time! There’s no time! I am here to remind us all that there is always time for love in our movements. 

When it feels like everything in the world is on fire and my heart breaks with the enormity of it all while my task list has more than I can possibly accomplish  in a year of Sundays, it can be tempting to push forward as fast as possible. Still, if I do that, and you do that, and everyone pushes forward independently, well, you can see where that gets us. For me, this means embracing curiosity, humility, and grace.  Spending time with colleagues to learn about who they are, what their vision is, how they think we should move forward, so that when we do move forward, we move forward together. Does it take more time to build relationships? Does it slow down the work? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

I find grounding and renewal in Viktor Frankl’s quote, “Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” Today, I invite you all to pause. Slow down. Reflect on how you can center love in your actions. I promise your next thought, your next response, your next move will be all the better for it. 

And as we all move forward refreshed and grounded in love, I hope to see you at any one of the many nourishing and inspiring events in the coming months. From Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with Green Sanctuary 2030 to the Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle or even just taking a break to watch the recording of Reimagining with Energy Democracy, we have several opportunities to build community, learn, get inspired, and move forward together with love at the center of our climate actions. 

Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with GS2030 - Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting

Join our next Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting, Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with GS2030 on February 21. The Green Sanctuary 2030 process provides congregations with an accessible and impactful framework to advance climate and environmental justice. Learn from the recently recognized Green Sanctuary 2030 Congregation, the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC, about the ways their congregation renewed their environmental justice commitments through the GS2030 process. Register to join us!

Our monthly Green Sanctuary 2030 Community meetings celebrate success, build capacity for teams, elevate how the local context of oppression shapes our climate action, and celebrate the ways the Green Sanctuary 2030 process supports our work on climate justice, community resilience, congregational transformation, and mitigation - all balanced with the faith-filled call to impactful action on climate. Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET.

Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle

We’ve all heard about the funding available for congregations to advance clean energy through Inflation Reduction Act Funding, but…really…don’t we all still have questions about how it works?! If this sounds like you, we invite you to join the Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle on Wednesday, February 28 at 4pm PT / 5pm MT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET to learn with other UUs figuring out how to put these opportunities into action in our communities. Get up to speed by reading this short primer on the opportunities available for congregations, then bring your questions and good ideas to the PLC!

The IRA Peer Learning Circle is a place for congregational leaders to come together to brainstorm, get into the weeds, and figure out the best way to access these funds for our congregations and our communities. RSVP today!

For a deep dive on how one congregation is reducing emissions, check out Net Zero by 2030 with the People’s Church of Kalamazoo.

Available Now: Reimagining with Energy Democracy

On January 25, we offered a webinar on Reimagining with Energy Democracy. You can review the slides here and watch the recording here.

Reimagining with Energy Democracy was part of two larger events, Side With Love’s 30 Days of Love and our Clean Energy as a Human Right series. Throughout this series, we’ve invited folks to embrace a visionary approach to clean energy, not just as a technical solution, but as a moral imperative. Rather than falling into the scarcity mindset so common in climate spaces, we encourage you to embrace abundance and ensure that our clean energy work nourishes thriving communities for all.

The Clean Energy as a Human Right series includes: 

• Visionary Approaches to Federal Clean Energy Funding

• Creating Hubs of Climate Resilience with Federal Clean Energy Funding

• The UU Ministry for Earth’s Solstice Celebration, “Light for All” which featured the Energy Democracy Project

• Reimagining with Energy Democracy

Our focus on Reimagining started last May with our Abolitionist Visions of Climate Justice webinar. We’re happy to share the graphic illustration and printable coloring page from that event as a gift to our community.

Save the Date - Spring for Change 2024

March 21 to May 2 (International Day of Biodiversity) is Spring for Change! Together with a variety of Unitarian Universalist partners working for climate justice, the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth is offering activities and educational events to provide congregations and individuals with spiritual grounding and resources to face our ecological crises with courage, compassion, and a commitment to justice. Click here to view the full schedule of offerings.

World Water Day: Water is Life - March 21, 2024

7:00 pm ET/ 6:00 pm CT/ 5:00 pm MT/ 4:00 pm PT

World Water Day celebrates water and raises awareness that 2.2 billion people live without access to safe water. We are honored to welcome Rev. Dr. Clyde Grubbs and Rev. Karen Van Fossan into a conversation on this important and sacred day. They are defenders and protectors of water; two spiritual leaders in our UU movement who will help us build a heart-centered approach to a right relationship with Mother Earth and her waters.

Rev. Dr. Clyde Grubbs is a Unitarian Universalist minister who served congregations in Indiana, Quebec, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida and California. He honors his Native American heritage (Texas Cherokee) which informs his spiritual understanding and practice, and his anti-racist and anti-oppressive commitment He has worked for peace, justice and equality since he was in the Unitarian Universalist youth movement, Liberal Religious Youth.

Rev. Karen is also a Unitarian Universalist minister and author of A Fire at the Center: Solidarity, Whiteness, and Becoming a Water Protector. She is an abolitionist, licensed professional counselor, and former defendant in the Line 3 pipeline resistance. She is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry specializing in abolition through Pacific School of Religion. Clyde is on her dissertation advisory committee. Karen lives in Fargo, North Dakota, on the traditional lands of Anishinaabe, Lakota/Dakota, and many Indigenous peoples.

Register today!

National Faith + Climate Forum

Join Us for 2024 The National Faith + Climate Forum! We are excited to invite you to join us for an inspiring and transformative event designed to strengthen local congregations through care for creation – The National Faith + Climate Forum on April 16th from 12:00 pm - 5:15 pm ET / 11:00 am - 4:15 pm CT / 10:00 am - 3:15 pm MT / 9:00 am - 2:15 pm PT! Join other faith leaders in our area to hear inspiring national speakers and participate in purposeful discussions, practical workshops, and energizing collaborative sessions. All clergy and lay leaders, younger and older congregants, are welcome to join, whether you have been caring for creation for some time, or just getting started. We all can be part of the solution in our congregations and our community. Learn more and register here.

The Side With Love Team is hosting our annual 30 Days of love, and the second week's theme was Reimagining :: Climate Justice. Reimagining encourages us to shake off our can’ts and embrace our coulds. What could the future hold if love was at the center of our selves, of our relationships, of our actions, of our world? When we embrace reimagining, we move past myopic, my-way-or-the-highway thinking and into the space of possibility; shifting from scarcity into abundance.

If we are to realize a world with no fossil fuels, where clean energy is a human right, and all beings thrive, we need new systems, norms, approaches, and ways of being to bring that world into existence. Without a clear vision of the world we want, we prioritize short term gains and false solutions; we advance goals disconnected from cultural shifts, we divide our focus, and our movements are out of alignment with justice. If we reimagine a world with justice, with love at the center, we cultivate communities of care where all beings thrive. Read my full 30 Days of Love, Reimagining :: Climate Justice reflection here.

We’ve got loads of opportunities for you to learn, act, and reflect on climate justice in the coming weeks, including:

• Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with GS2030 on February 21

• Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle on February 28

In between these amazing events, watch the recording of our Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration! We heard from almost 20 congregations actively engaging in the Green Sanctuary 2030 process designed to transform our congregations through climate justice.

Get inspired, then get involved!  

Get inspired with the Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration!

During our January Community Meeting, we hosted the annual Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration. Almost twenty Active Green GS2030 congregations shared highlights of their current work. Green Sanctuary 2030 teams engage in intersectional actions that align with our Four Essentials of Climate Action: Justice, Congregational Transformation, Community Resilience, and Mitigation. Learn from your fellow UUs transforming our congregations through climate justice! 

If you’re ready to join the community, sign up for an orientation and join us for our monthly community meetings. The GS2030 orientations are the first Wednesday of each month, and the community meetings are the third Wednesday, both events are at 7ET.

Available Now: Reimagining with Energy Democracy

On January 25, we offered a webinar on Reimagining with Energy Democracy. You can review the slides here and watch the recording here.

Reimagining with Energy Democracy was part of two larger events, Side With Love’s 30 Days of Love and our Clean Energy as a Human Right series. Throughout this series, we’ve invited folks to embrace a visionary approach to clean energy, not just as a technical solution, but as a moral imperative. Rather than falling into the scarcity mindset so common in climate spaces, we encourage you to embrace abundance and ensure that our clean energy work nourishes thriving communities for all. The Clean Energy as a Human Right series includes: 

• Visionary Approaches to Federal Clean Energy Funding

• Creating Hubs of Climate Resilience with Federal Clean Energy Funding

• The UU Ministry for Earth’s Solstice Celebration, “Light for All” which featured the Energy Democracy Project

• Reimagining with Energy Democracy

Our focus on Reimagining started last May with our Abolitionist Visions of Climate Justice webinar. We’re happy to share the graphic illustration and printable coloring page from that event as a gift to our community (below).

Upcoming Green Sanctuary Orientations

If you’re interested in learning what is new with Green Sanctuary 2030 and our new, flexible process; or if you want other leaders in your congregation to understand how powerful this program is for wider community change, join one of our upcoming orientations!

Held the first Wednesday of each month at 4pm PT / 7pm ET, this orientation presents our new, flexible, accessible process and the opportunity to speak with me about what your congregation has been doing. Register now!

Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with GS2030 - Green Sanctuary Community Meeting

Join our next Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting, Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with GS2030 on February 21. The Green Sanctuary 2030 process provides congregations with an accessible and impactful framework to advance climate and environmental justice. Learn from the recently recognized Green Sanctuary 2030 Congregation, the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC, about the ways their congregation renewed their environmental justice commitments through the GS2030 process. Register to join us!

Our monthly Green Sanctuary 2030 Community meetings celebrate success, build capacity for teams, elevate how the local context of oppression shapes our climate action, and celebrate the ways the Green Sanctuary 2030 process supports our work on climate justice, community resilience, congregational transformation, and mitigation - all balanced with the faith-filled call to impactful action on climate. Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET.

Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle

We’ve all heard about the funding available for congregations to advance clean energy through Inflation Reduction Act Funding, but…really…don’t we all still have questions about how it works?! If this sounds like you, we invite you to join the Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle on Wednesday, February 28 at 4pm PT / 5pm MT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET to learn with other UUs figuring out how to put these opportunities into action in our communities. Get up to speed by reading this short primer on the opportunities available for congregations, then bring your questions and good ideas to the PLC!  

The IRA Peer Learning Circle is a place for congregational leaders to come together to brainstorm, get into the weeds, and figure out the best way to access these funds for our congregations and our communities. RSVP today!

For a deep dive on how one congregation is reducing emissions, check out Net Zero by 2030 with the People’s Church of Kalamazoo.

On January 25, Side With Love hosted a webinar on Reimagining with Energy Democracy. You can review the slides here and recording here.

Reimagining with Energy Democracy was part of two larger events, Side With Love’s 30 Days of Love and our Clean Energy as a Human Right series. Throughout this series, we’ve invited folks to embrace a visionary approach to clean energy, not just as a technical solution, but as a moral imperative. Rather than falling into the scarcity mindset so common in climate spaces, we encourage you to embrace abundance and ensure that our clean energy work nourishes thriving communities for all. The Clean Energy as a Human Right series includes:

• Visionary Approaches to Federal Clean Energy Funding

• Creating Hubs of Climate Resilience with Federal Clean Energy Funding

• The UU Ministry for Earth’s Solstice Celebration, “Light for All” which featured the Energy Democracy Project

• Reimagining with Energy Democracy

While this was the last in our Clean Energy as a Human Right Webinar Series, it marks the beginning of a dedicated focus on Energy Democracy. Here are some ways you can get involved right now. Watch What Does Energy Democracy Mean To You and sign up for the Energy Democracy Project’s REFOCUS Campaign, check out their zine, messaging guide, and list of collaborators where you can connect with local energy democracy campaigns like Cleveland Owns Solar in Ohio, POWER Interfaith in Pennsylvania, and People Power Solar Cooperative in California.

This webinar was also part of our 30 Days of Love, Reimagining :: Climate Justice. Reimagining encourages us to shake off our can’ts and embrace our coulds. What could the future hold if love was at the center of our selves, of our relationships, of our actions, of our world? When we embrace reimagining, we move past myopic, my-way-or-the-highway thinking and into the space of possibility; shifting from scarcity into abundance.

Our focus on Reimagining started last May with our Abolitionist Visions of Climate Justice webinar. We’re happy to share the graphic illustration and printable coloring page from that event as a gift to our community.

If we are to realize a world with no fossil fuels, where clean energy is a human right, and all beings thrive, we need new systems, norms, approaches, and ways of being to bring that world into existence. Without a clear vision of the world we want, we prioritize short term gains and false solutions; we advance goals disconnected from cultural shifts, we divide our focus, and our movements are out of alignment with justice. Consider what this radical reframing could look like. How would it feel? What does not exist in that future world? What is the shift that needs to happen in you to commit to this future? Bring this reimagining to your work in your relationships, congregations, and communities.

Big thanks to the sponsors of this event, including: the Energy Democracy Project, Cleveland Owns, People Power Solar Cooperative, POWER Interfaith, The Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth, Reamp Network, UUs for Social Justice, UU Service Committee, UU College of Social Justice, JUUstice Washington, UU Women’s Federation, UU Justice Ministry of North Carolina, and Peace Education Center of the Hudson Valley.

We do this work together, with love at the center of our climate actions, and I am so grateful for the support and collaboration and unique work of each of these amazing organizations.

Uplifting Sacred Possibility

Imagine a world where everybody - every body - was treated as truly sacred. Every body, whatever shape, size, expression, ability - was revered as one of the infinite expressions of the Divine.  A reflection of God.  An opportunity to celebrate the holy diversity that makes up our humanity.  

When we witness our shared humanity we are called to care, to defend, protect, and affirm OUR very existence and our inherent worth. In this world, every body is cared for.  Everybody has the ability to make the decisions they need to be safe and whole in their being.  Every body has access to the resources they need to thrive.  Everybody - every body - is held in a truly liberating love.

Unfortunately, we know that the world as it is today does not treat every body as sacred.  Dominant ideas of safety have created inflated police budgets that rob our children of books and our communities of healthcare.  Living outside prescriptive gender binaries can mean losing a job or your life.  Our society isolates disabled people from community and care by denying access to housing, healthcare, and public space.  But ideas alone aren't what is killing us. It is the allegiance to a values system that moves people to violent and deadly action – against their neighbors, their country, and sometimes their own children.  Our society’s dependence on these immoral forces has moved us so far away from our shared humanity - brutalizing sacred bodies in a vicious cycle of exploitation, violence, and death - so that we no longer regard one another as threads woven together in a Divine tapestry.

These attacks on our bodies are attacks on our existence.  They are neither isolated nor unrelated.  We know this because there is a unified strategy and single solution.  Devalue and criminalize our identities and institutionalize our people.  We know the tactics and the institutions - prisons, jails, conversion therapy, conservatorship, detention, surveillance.  These are the many tentacles of the carceral state that are strangling so many of our Beloveds. 

The nature of the attacks on our sacred bodies means that those of us who live at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities face this violence on all aspects of our being.  Within the carceral state - which already disproportionately targets black and brown communities - 40% of the state prison population are people with disabilities. The number is even higher for incarcerated youth.  In just this first month of 2024, at least 322 bills targeted the transgender people, many in states where we have already witnessed the criminalization of reproductive health care.  And among individuals specifically seeking abortions, 1 in 5 must travel out of state for care.  That barrier creates unsurmountable burdens for individuals without the financial, social, or physical means to travel.  As we dream of a world where everybody thrives, we find ourselves fighting to create a world where every body can at least survive.

And yet, it is within this fight where we can remind ourselves that another world is possible, but only if we commit to creating it together.  In the midst of what is, there are glimmers of what could be.  There are holy moments of possibility that we must lean into during these desperate times.  From the quiet moments of self-determination and action, to the power of thousands showing up for collective liberation, there is hope in all of those moments that connect us. 

Our connection isn’t just sacred, it is powerful.  Some of these moments look like gathering together to protest anti-trans laws at the capitol; holding vigils to honor the community members whom we have lost; teaching our youth what rights they have over their own bodies; and growing mutual aid networks that strengthen each others’ access to essential resources and care.  In those moments, where we show up together, our momentum is realized and the loneliness is lessened. 

Changing the world has always happened when the few become the many.  When we each find our common humanity in the strength of our values, we all find new ways to love the hell out of this world! 

Knowing that God lives in the margins, on the edge of all possibility, we are called to engage in the world as it is, grounded in our values and in an all-encompassing LOVE, to turn it into what it could be.  This week we hope you will take time to think about how to build the world of infinite possibility that we dream of, where our bodies, however they are, are expressions of all that is good and sacred in this world.  

Rev. Amanda Schuber, Disability Justice Associate
Rev. Jami Yandle, Trans Support Specialist
Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, Congregational Organizer

See all the resources offered for Week Three of 30 Days of Love 2024

The Side with Love Team is hosting our annual 30 Days of love, and this week’s theme is Reimagining: Climate Justice. Reimagining encourages us to shake off our can’ts and embrace our coulds. What could the future hold if love was at the center of our selves, of our relationships, of our actions, of our world? When we embrace reimagining, we move past myopic, my-way-or-the-highway thinking and into the space of possibility; shifting from scarcity into abundance.  

If we are to realize a world with no fossil fuels, where clean energy is a human right, and all beings thrive, we need new systems, norms, approaches, and ways of being to bring that world into existence. Without a clear vision of the world we want, we prioritize short term gains and false solutions; we advance goals disconnected from cultural shifts, we divide our focus, and our movements are out of alignment with justice. If we reimagine a world with justice, with love at the center, we cultivate communities of care where all beings thrive.  Read Side With Love Climate Justice Organizer Rachel Myslivy’s full 30 Days of Love, Reimagining: Climate Justice reflection.

We’ve got loads of opportunities for you to learn, act, and reflect on climate justice in the coming weeks, including:

• Reimagining with Energy Democracy this Thursday, January 25 

• Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with GS2030 on February 21

• Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle on February 28

In between these amazing events, watch the recording of last week’s Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration! We heard from almost 20 congregations actively engaging in the Green Sanctuary 2030 process designed to transform our congregations through climate justice. Get inspired, then get involved!  

Reimagine with Energy Democracy

Please join us for Reimagining with Energy Democracy this Thursday, January 25, to explore the ways Energy Democracy reimagines a world where everyone thrives and recreates the systems we need to bring about that future.  

Energy Democracy helps frontline communities build power and liberation by reimagining how we organize our lives toward new systems that support the health and wellbeing of our communities and ecosystems. We invite you to explore the power of Energy Democracy and the ways our congregations can reimagine energy for our communities.

Join Side With Love and special guests from the Energy Democracy Project, Cleveland Owns, People Power Solar, and POWER Interfaith for a webinar on Reimagining with Energy Democracy on January 25 at 4pm PT / 5pm MT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET. Register to join us!

Get inspired with the Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration!

During our January Community Meeting, we hosted the annual Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration.  Almost twenty Active Green GS2030 congregations shared highlights of their current work.  Green Sanctuary 2030 teams engage in intersectional actions that align with our Four Essentials of Climate Action: Justice, Congregational Transformation, Community Resilience, and Mitigation.  Learn from your fellow UUs transforming our congregations through climate justice! If you’re ready to join the community, sign up for an orientation and join us for our monthly community meetings.  The GS2030 orientations are the first Wednesday of each month, and the community meetings are the third Wednesday, both events are at 7ET.  

Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with GS2030 - Green Sanctuary Community Meeting

Join our next Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting, Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with GS2030 on February 21. The Green Sanctuary 2030 process provides congregations with an accessible and impactful framework to advance climate and environmental justice. Learn from the recently recognized Green Sanctuary 2030 Congregation, the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC, about the ways their congregation renewed their environmental justice commitments through the GS2030 process. Register to join us!

Our monthly Green Sanctuary 2030 Community meetings celebrate success, build capacity for teams, elevate how the local context of oppression shapes our climate action, and celebrate the ways the Green Sanctuary 2030 process supports our work on climate justice, community resilience, congregational transformation, and mitigation - all balanced with the faith-filled call to impactful action on climate. Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET.

Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle

We’ve all heard about the funding available for congregations to advance clean energy through Inflation Reduction Act Funding, but…really…don’t we all still have questions about how it works?! If this sounds like you, we invite you to join the Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle on Wednesday, February 28 at 4pm PT / 5pm MT / 6pm CT / 7pm ET to learn with other UUs figuring out how to put these opportunities into action in our communities. Get up to speed by reading this short primer on the opportunities available for congregations, then bring your questions and good ideas to the PLC!  

The IRA Peer Learning Circle is a place for congregational leaders to come together to brainstorm, get into the weeds, and figure out the best way to access these funds for our congregations and our communities. RSVP today!

For a deep dive on how one congregation is reducing emissions, check out Net Zero by 2030 with the People’s Church of Kalamazoo.

Join UUSC on the Hill!

Join the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee in Washington, D.C on Wednesday, January 31 to visit Members of Congress to advocate for solutions to the climate crisis.

We will be demanding that Congress take action to protect vulnerable communities from the devastating effects of climate-forced displacement:

• Advance community-led solutions to climate-forced displacement in the United States; those closest to the problems are experts on the solutions.

• Ensure Indigenous communities have the resources they need to apply for federal funding from bills like the Inflation Reduction Act.

• Take accountability for the damage caused by U.S. fossil fuel dependency by increasing U.S. funding for the Loss and Damage fund.

Please visit bit.ly/UUSCHillDay to let us know if you’ll be attending and for a more comprehensive schedule. Please feel free to email Ivanna D’Alencon at idalencon@uusc.org if you have any questions.

Join the UU Ministry for Earth Board!

If you have a deep and embodied commitment to uplifting the need to face and adapt to the climate crisis, counter environmental injustice, and support the flourishing of all life, and if you feel drawn to support and contribute to the many offerings of the UU Ministry for Earth (www.uumfe.org), please reach out to the UUMFE Nominations Committee to share your strengths and desire to be part of the team. UUMFE is looking to develop a dynamic, multicultural, multigenerational anti-oppressive Board, inclusive of people of color, trans and gender-nonconforming people, young people, people with disabilities, people living in poverty, and/or frontline communities; people who self-identify with such identity are especially welcome to apply. Please contact SearchTeam@UUMFE.org to submit your resume and letter of interest. For details on roles and responsibilities of Board members, go here.

On January 17, Side With Love gathered to celebrate the good work our congregations are doing to create Green Sanctuary in our communities! Green Sanctuary teams shared how they're transforming their communities through congregational transformation, climate justice, mitigation, and community resilience. Watch the recording here.

Resources from the meeting:

• View the presentation slides

• View the chat transcript

If you have questions about the Green Sanctuary process, you can reach out to Rachel at Environment@UUA.org. Learn more about the Green Sanctuary 2030 process, RSVP to attend an orientation, or sign up to join the community here. Stay up to date on Green Sanctuary 2030 by joining our email list here.

Upcoming Events

Reimagining with Energy Democracy
January 25, 2024 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM ET | Online

Join us for Reimagining with Energy Democracy on January 25! For the last in our webinar series on Clean Energy as a Human Right, we invite you to explore the power of Energy Democracy and the ways our congregations can reimagine energy for our communities. Energy Democracy helps frontline communities build power and liberation by reimagining how we organize our lives toward new systems that support the health and wellbeing of our communities and ecosystems.

Join the Energy Democracy Project, Cleveland Owns (OH), People Power Solar (CA), and POWER Interfaith (PA) for Reimagining with Energy Democracy on January 25, 2024 at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET Cosponsors include: Energy Democracy Project, Cleveland Owns, People Power Solar Cooperative, Power Interfaith, UU Ministry for Earth, UU Women’s Federation, UUs for Social Justice, UU Service Committee, UUs for a Just Economic Community, Re-Amp Network, UU college of Social Justice, JUUstice Washington, UU Justice Ministry of North Carolina, Peace Education Center of the Hudson Valley. RSVP here: bit.ly/EnergyDemocracyWebinar.

Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle
February 28, 2024 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM ET | Online

We’ve all heard about the funding available for congregations to advance clean energy through Inflation Reduction Act Funding, but…really…don’t we all still have questions about how it works?! If this sounds like you, we invite you to join the Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle to learn with other UUs figuring out how to put these opportunities into action in our communities. Get up to speed by reading this short primer on the opportunities available for congregations, then bring your questions and good ideas to the PLC! RSVP here!

Tending SOIL

Reach out to Rev. Cathy Rion Starr if you'd like to learn more about the Tending SOIL (Skills, Organizing, Interdependence, Liberation) program at CRionStarr@UUA.org. To learn more, watch the introductory video here.

The North Carolina Climate Justice Collective offered a framework for the 4 Rs of Social Transformation for people working on climate: 

• Resist: working against the current systems

• Reform: working within the current systems

• Reimagine: envisioning a just new system

• Recreate: creating models for a  just new system

We need people learning, acting, reflecting in each of the four areas.  One approach is not better than the other; rather, they are complementary and each approach is as important as the other.  Take a moment to think about yourself and the way you approach climate justice . . . Are you a Reformer committed to policy change?  Do you take to the streets as a Resister?  Do you orient to dismantling and creating new systems?  Do you light up with the possibilities of Recreating?  Once you find your natural inclination to this framework, ask yourself which approach feels the most difficult for you?  Which one do you admire the most?

When I first learned about this framework, the first prompt was: “Where are you in your work?” And the second was, “Where are you in your heart?” For me, most of my climate work has been squarely in the reform and recreate with resist sprinkled throughout.  In my heart, I reimagine.  For me, the magic happens when we are curious, exploring new ways of thinking and being in relationship with each other and the planet.  Reimagining encourages us to shake off our can’ts  and embrace our coulds.  What could the future hold if love was at the center of our selves, of our relationships, of our actions, of our world?  What does the idea of “reimagining” climate justice call to mind for you?  How does it feel in your body when you think of reimagining the future?  When we embrace reimagining, we move past myopic, my-way-or-the-highway thinking and into the space of possibility; shifting from scarcity into abundance.  

If we are to realize a world with no fossil fuels, where clean energy is a human right, and all beings thrive, we need new systems, norms, approaches, and ways of being to bring that world into existence.  For the Abolitionist Visions of Climate Justice (see video) event in May 2023, we asked now Pres. Sofía Betancourt, Dr. Rashid Shaikh, and Antoinette Scully to draw a picture of the world they want to see.  If you imagine the world we want to create, what does it look like?  How does it feel?  What does not exist in that future world?

Above is the illustration of the discussion. You can download or print the full-color image here (pdf). We also offer a black/white outline (pdf) of the drawing for printing to color at home or school.

Without a clear vision of the world we want, we prioritize short term gains and false solutions; we advance goals disconnected from cultural shifts, we divide our focus, and our movements are out of alignment with justice.  If we reimagine a world with justice, with love at the center, we cultivate communities of care where all beings thrive.  

Reimagining is not spiritual bypassing.  It is not daydreaming with no action.  It does not dismiss the harmful systems of oppression or ignore the climate disruption that is breaking our communities and our world.   As we work toward a future where all are free, we must dream beyond our current circumstances.  Those dreams are the seed of that future, and as we believe, we begin to shift our relationships, our commitments, and our actions to creating that world.  

2023 was the hottest year on record, and we broke the record for billion dollar disasters by September.  As we experience the climate crisis, we become increasingly distressed at the perilous state of our world. Climate anxiety, eco-anxiety, and climate grief are breaking the hearts of so many.  Reimagining the future we want can soothe this anxiety while also helping folks recommit to meaningful action.  

How?  What are the connections between anxiety and imagining?  How can reimagining inform our resistance?  Our efforts to reform?  What systems do we need to create?  As we reimagine together, what new (and ancient) ways of being can we bring to our relationships?  To our organizing?  To our inner work?  How can reimagining nourish our individual and collective spirits for the long haul?

We invite you to explore these questions and more as we reimagine together this 30 Days of Love.

Rachel Myslivy is the climate justice organizer for the UUA's Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team.

See all of the Week Two offerings for 30 Days of Love 2024

Get energized and inspired by Active Green Sanctuary 2030 Teams during our Annual Celebration on January 17, then explore the power of Energy Democracy and the ways our congregations can reimagine energy for our communities with Reimagining with Energy Democracy during 30 Days of Love on January 25.  Read on to learn about these events + see all of the great Green Sanctuary 2030 community meetings we have planned this winter and spring.  Great things are happening with Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice!

The Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration!  

Are you ready to share the good work you’re doing?  The annual Celebration is a time for our Active Green Sanctuary 2030 Teams to come together to share something you’re excited about, something you need help with, or what you’re thinking about doing! Sign up today!

Teams will have a short two or three minute slot to share.  Don’t overthink it!  🙂  We’ll handle all of the tech, advancing slides, and whatever else you need to feel comfortable sharing.  Your job is just to come and share what you’re up to with other UUs who are working to transform our congregations through climate justice.   

Monthly Community Meetings

Our monthly Green Sanctuary 2030 Community meetings celebrate success, build capacity for teams, elevate how the local context of oppression shapes our climate action, and celebrate the ways the Green Sanctuary 2030 process supports our work on climate justice, community resilience, congregational transformation, and mitigation - all balanced with the faith-filled call to impactful action on climate.

Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET.

• January 17 - Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration! (sign up to present)

• February 21 - Renewing Environmental Justice Commitments with Green Sanctuary 2030, led by UU Fellowship of Raleigh, NC

• March 20 - Climate Justice & Racial Reconciliation in a Predominantly White Community, led by UUs of Grants Pass, OR and Pursuit Church of the Nazarene

• April 17 - Nourishing Impactful Teams, led by Rev. Cathy Rion Starr, Side With Love Leadership Development Specialist

• May 15 - Climate Justice Brainstorm!

30 Days of Love: Reimagining Climate Justice

Side With Love is thrilled to announce 30 Days of Love 2024! 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 15) through Valentine’s Day (February 14). 

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. All offerings are curated to support building disciplines and resources for life-long work for justice grounded in the deep Love that is at the center of our faith.  We’ll focus on Reimagining Climate Justice during the second week of 30 Days of Love.  

We invite you to explore the power of Energy Democracy and the ways our congregations can reimagine energy for our communities. Energy Democracy helps frontline communities build power and liberation by reimagining how we organize our lives toward new systems that support the health and wellbeing of our communities and ecosystems. Join the Energy Democracy Project, Cleveland Owns (OH), People Power Solar (CA), and POWER Interfaith (PA) for Reimagining with Energy Democracy on January 25, 2024 at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET

This is the last in our series on Clean Energy as a Human Right, which included Visionary Approaches to Federal Clean Energy Funding, Creating Hubs of Climate Resilience, Light for All - UU Ministry for Earth’s Winter Solstice Celebration, and lastly, Reimagining with Energy Democracy.  Sign up today!

Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle

We’ve all heard about the funding available for congregations to advance clean energy through Inflation Reduction Act Funding, but…really…don’t we all still have questions about how it works?!  If this sounds like you, we invite you to join the Inflation Reduction Act Peer Learning Circle to learn with other UUs figuring out how to put these opportunities into action in our communities.  Get up to speed by reading this short primer on the opportunities available for congregations, then bring your questions and good ideas to the PLC!  RSVP today!

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) and Love Resists teamed up earlier this month to host the first webinar (in a series of three) to educate people about the “Cop City” project underway in Atlanta and equip them to stop this destructive plan (and similar schemes elsewhere in the U.S.).

We invite you to:

• watch the webinar recording

• use the Q and A and webinar notes as a resource

• take action to tell CEOs to stop funding Cop City and militarized policing! 

As one of our speakers said, we choose relentless optimism in the face of this struggle! Confronting the sponsoring companies about their harm to our community is the first step leading up a corporate divestment campaign AFSC will lanch in January 2024. Please stay in touch for opportunities to take further action to Stop Cop City!

Please attend our second webinar in this series, addressing abolition, on December 6th.

To stay connected with our speakers and their efforts to combat environmental justice and environmental racism:  

• Join Dr. Jacqueline Echols and the South River Watershed Alliance in contacting the regional and national EPA to remove priority language from the Dekalb consent decree, and support SRWA’s legal fund to help Stop the Swap of public park land to a private developer. Connect with them on Instagram @southriverforest @southriverga 

• Follow founding editor of the Atlanta Community Press Collective, Sam Barnes on Twitter/X and support ACPC’s work

• Follow Commissioner Ted Terry on Twitter/X for ways to support his appeal of Dekalb County’s land disturbance permit issued to the Atlanta Police Foundation

• Get involved with organizer Neil Sardana and Georgia Conservation Voters efforts to Stop Cop City and help combat the environmental racism of Georgia’s Public Service Commission

We hope you enjoyed last night's Green Sanctuary 2030 Community meeting with Rev. Kelly Dignan from the UU Ministry for Earth as much as we did!  Rev. Kelly offered lots of great resources in her presentation (see the video recording or slides) and the community offered several in the chat.  We encourage you to sign up for updates from the UU Ministry for Earth - www.uumfe.org - to receive their resources like Monthly Musings and their Earth Day Resources (emailed to subscribers on February 1).   You can reach out to Rev. Kelly directly at kellydignan@uumfe.org.  

Make sure to RSVP for UUMFE's Winter Solstice Celebration: Light for All on the Darkest Night.  This celebration is part of the Clean Energy as a Human Right webinar series including, Visionary Approaches to Federal Clean Energy Funding and Creating Hubs of Climate Resilience with Federal Clean Energy Funding.

Are you ready for the Green Sanctuary 2030 Celebration on January 17?  We can't wait to hear updates from our GS2030 Teams.  Fill out this short form to let us know that you'll be there to share your good work.  Presentations need to be no more than 3 minutes long so we can make room for everyone!   Complete the form to let us know you want to present and make sure you RSVP here!

Congratulations to the UU Fellowship of Raleigh, North Carolina on their Green Sanctuary 2030 Recognition!  UUFR has completed significant work on each of the four essentials for climate action - Congregational Transformation, Mitigation, Adaptation & Resilience, and Justice with plans for continued action.  Great work UUFR!

Resources: 

Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta is the book Rev. Kelly mentioned:

Justice on Earth: People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and Environment, edited by Manish Mishra-Marzetti and Jennifer Nordstrom (Skinner House Books, 2018), as the 2018-19 Common Read.

Cultural appropriation. Two links from the UUA website:

Resources for Cultural (Mis) Appropriations

Considerations for Cultural Borrowing

The Monthly Musings issue on humility includes the poem: Homage to Rocks.

Sign up for UU Ministry for Earth updates, and keep an eye out for Earth Day resources which will be shared on February 1.  

Additional resources

“How to find joy in climate action" TED talk.

Yale Program on Climate Change Communication has been tracking opinions on global warming for many years through their 6 Americas surveys and Yale Climate Opinion Maps.  You can use the YPCCC Six Americas Super Short Survey (SASSY)  to survey your congregation’s opinions on climate change.  Lots of great resources on this site!

Side With Love joined Denise Abdul-Rahman from Black Sun Light Sustainability, Shina Robinson from Asian Pacific Environmental Network, and Miguel Yanez-Barnuevo from Environmental and Energy Study Institute for an informative discussion on ways you can turn your faith into action to create hubs of climate resilience for our communities. This was the second session of our webinar series on Clean Energy as a Human Right.

Below are resources from the webinar:

• Video Recording: Hubs of Climate Resilience (1:20, embedded above)

• Presentation slides

• Slides from Denise Abdul Rahman, Black Sun Light Sustainability

• Slides from Miguel Yañez-Barnuevo, Environmental & Energy Study Institute

• Slides from Shina Robinson, Asian Pacific Environmental Network

Shina mentioned her work with PSE Healthy Energy as a great technical partner for the RYSE hub. They developed a resilience hub mapping tool with info on solar and storage capacity for community centers, public schools, and places of worship, along with data about EJ burden and climate threats, available here.

How can we think more expansively about transforming our buildings and grounds into hubs of climate resilience? If your congregation is thinking about installing solar panels with the 30% direct pay option, think about adding battery backup (which has an additional 30% option) to offer your buildings as an emergency shelter in extreme weather or a cooling center during power outages.

We hope you'll continue to be a part of this series on Clean Energy as a Human Right! Please register for the next event:

• Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth's Light for All Winter Solstice Worship Service on December 20

The first webinar in Side With Love’s series toward Clean Energy as a Human Right: Visionary Approaches to Federal Clean Energy Funding, was offered October 25, 2023.

While congregations are excitedly learning about federal clean energy funding, how can make sure we're prioritizing justice in our actions? How can put our faith into action to ensure those most impacted by climate disruption benefit the most?

Featuring Just Solutions, Emerald Cities Collaborative, and Rewiring America , this webinar covered how your congregation can put your faith into action to advance visionary approaches to clean energy funding with justice at the center.

• View the recording

• View the slides

This event was co-sponsored by Side With Love, Interfaith Power & Light, Blessed Tomorrow, Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, and UU Ministry for Earth.

Engage in the full Clean Energy as a Human Right webinar series with Visionary Approaches to Federal Clean Energy Funding on 10/25, Creating Hubs of Community Resilience on 11/9, UUMFE's Light for All on 12/20, and Reimagining with Energy Democracy in 2024.

We know we need to get to Net Zero and fast, but how? The People's Church of Kalamazoo has made a commitment to cut their emissions to achieve Net Zero by 2030. We joined Tom Hackley from People's Church to learn how their Green Sanctuary Team is working to meet this ambitious and critical goal!

• View on Vimeo

• View the slide deck

Video of Oct 2023 Green Sanctuary webinar

One facet of very localized climate justice work is through our Green Sanctuary 2030 program and we invite all UU congregations to join us - either once or as part of your Green Sanctuary process. Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice anchors to the reality that we need to reduce emissions dramatically by 2030 if we are to avoid some of the worst impacts of climate change. 

The Green Sanctuary process provides a framework for congregations to adopt a justice-centered, comprehensive approach that can support congregations to hit Net Zero.  Our community meetings provide shared learning and mutual supports for UUs transforming their congregations through climate justice.  So, while we all know we need to reduce emissions, often the biggest question is, “how?”

The People's Church of Kalamazoo has made a commitment to cut their emissions to achieve Net Zero by 2030. Join Tom Hackley from People's Church to learn how their Green Sanctuary Team is working to meet this ambitious - and critical - goal!  Join the October Green Sanctuary Community meeting on October 18 at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7 MT to learn more!

Has your congregation hit your net zero goal or are you just starting to think about it?  We want to hear from you!  We are building out a resource guide for congregations to adopt measurable and achievable goals towards net zero.  We’d love to know what you’re thinking! Complete this short form or email Environment@UUA.org to share your plans and approaches to this critical goal.

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View our previous gatherings

Climate Justice Brainstorm

Surprise Lessons in Congregational Transformation

Navigating Conflict in Our Climate Work

“Disability Justice builds on the disability rights movement, taking a more comprehensive approach to help secure rights for disabled people by recognizing the intersectionality of disabled people who belong to additional marginalized communities. Disability justice is a framework that acknowledges the intersection of oppression, and centers the ways that disabled people experience the world through systems that are not built for us, especially the twice, thrice and more oppressed among us.” - Rev. Amanda Schuber, Side With Love Disability Justice Associate

Welcome our new staff!

We are excited to welcome two new colleagues to the UUA, both of whom are holding accessibility and disability justice in their portfolios. At Side With Love, we recognize that accessibility must be part of our prophetic vision for Beloved Community and we’re grateful to be working with Gretchen and Amanda!

Gretchen Maune (she/they)

Accessibility Resources Coordinator in Ministries and Faith Development's LGBTQ and Multicultural Ministries

As Accessibility Resources Coordinator, Gretchen will provide virtual resources for Unitarian Universalist congregational and organizational leaders to create spaces, events, programs and communities which are accessible and inclusive to disabled participants.

Gretchen is a white, queer, autistic, blind, disabled UU living in Columbia, Missouri. She serves the Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbia (UUCC) as a Worship Associate, and has previously served on its Board of Trustees, and as a multi-time delegate to GA.

In 2017, Gretchen co-founded UUCC’s Disability Justice and Inclusion Team (DJIT), and has chaired it for over five years. UUCC’s DJIT seeks to foster an inclusively designed environment, with a congregational commitment to combating ablism, where all individuals feel radically welcome and are able to participate in every aspect of the church and community. She has consulted on accessibility for nonprofits, companies, and government entities across the country. She is excited to apply her experience and knowledge to help the UUA and its congregations do their work with a lens to disability justice and accessibility lens.

Gretchen holds a Master’s of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri’s Truman School of Public Affairs, and a Bachelor’s in English, also from MU. She’s worked as a Community Organizer in the fields of both economic and reproductive justice for GRO—Grass Roots Organizing, and for NARAL Pro-Choice Missouri. She’s also worked as a public education lobbyist for the Missouri National Education Association, the largest union in Missouri. Gretchen has been appointed to the Columbia Disabilities Commission, and the city’s Public Transit Advisory Commission. In addition, she has served as a board member with multiple nonprofits, and volunteers her time with Missouri Faith Voices, bringing a disabled perspective to their work.

In her free-time, Gretchen enjoys reading, playing D&D, and hanging out with her Seeing-Eye Dog, Royal.

Rev. Amanda Schuber (she/her)

Disability Justice Associate in Side With Love’s Organizing Strategy Team

My pronouns are she/her, or anything said in love. I have lived in the deep South for most of my life and consider myself a dedicated Southern Minister.

My wife, Wanda, and I have been married for 18 years and live with two of our three children in Middle Georgia. I spend most of my free time engaged as a taxi and sports mom extraordinaire for my two youngest children, Joseph (almost 11) and Nora (13). Our oldest child, Samantha, and her husband, Cody, are stationed in South Dakota, serving in the United States Air Force. When not at the ball fields, our family loves to camp and hike all over the country. I am also an avid gardener, crafter, and theater patron.

I have served the UU world in various capacities over the last 29 years, including sitting on the Boards of EQUUAL Access, Interweave, and CUUYAN (Continental UU Young Adult Network). I spent two years living in Boston, working at the UUA in the Office of Congregational Fundraising. Additionally, I have been a Beyond Categorical Thinking facilitator since 2004 and have been privileged to work with well over 50 congregations in that time. Congregationally, I have held many positions, including social action chair, worship chair, and DRE. 

A graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry, I’m honored to serve as Minister for High Street Unitarian Universalist Church in Macon, GA and as the Disability Justice Associate for the Side with Love Organizing Strategy Team.

I am an advocate for disability rights and visibility in the wider world and within our denomination. Specifically, I strive to create a welcoming and supportive space for those living with mental health challenges and their families. 

Subscribe to UPLIFT Access, our newsletter uplifting accessibility in and beyond Unitarian Universalism which Gretchen maintains. You can read the most recent issue here.

“When was the last time you changed your mind about something?”  

For many of us who’ve been working on environmental issues, we’ve become experts on particular things, and - truth be told - it’s a lot easier to stick with what we know than to stop, reflect, and reorient ourselves to new understandings.  However, this is exactly what we are called to do if we are to center justice in our climate work.  Over my years as a climate advocate, organic farmer, and faith-based organizer, I’ve had to reorient and reorient and reorient again because I keep learning.  That’s a good thing!  

As Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”  The more I learned about the injustices in our energy system, for example, the more I wished I had done things differently in my early organizing.  I’ve had to learn and unlearn and relearn and check myself over and over again because I need to continuously improve to better center justice.  Does this resonate with any of you?  

Side With Love’s Create Climate Justice Campaign organizes Unitarian Universalists (UUs) to realize a world with no fossil fuels, where clean energy is a human right, and all beings thrive.  One of the big things I’ve learned and reoriented to over the years is understanding clean energy as a human right.  Clean energy only works as a climate solution if it is accessible to everyone.  Clean Energy as a Human Right reframes clean energy from a technical solution to a moral imperative.  

As congregations are eagerly learning about the 30% direct pay option for solar and battery backup, we need to continue to challenge ourselves to ground our actions in justice while holding a liberatory vision of the future.  For example, what would it look like if our congregations put on solar and battery backup storage and offered our buildings as shelters during climate disasters, power outages, or extreme heat?  Or if our congregations advocated at city and county levels to weatherize and electrify low-income neighborhoods, which reduces energy bills and improves air quality and quality of life, all while reducing the pollution that causes climate change?  

Over the next several months, you’ll have multiple opportunities to learn more about Clean Energy as a Human Right from some of the organizations who continue to inspire and challenge me to do better, including:

• Visionary Approaches to Federal Clean Energy Funding with Rewiring America, Just Solutions Collective, and Emerald Cities Collaborative, Wednesday, October 25 at 4pm PT/ 7pm ET

• Creating Hubs of Climate Resilience with Federal Clean Energy Funding with Asian Pacific Environmental Network, Black Sun Light Sustainability, and Environmental & Energy Study Institute, Thursday, November 9 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET

• Climate Justice through Energy Democracy with the Energy Democracy Project, TBD

Rachel Myslivy

Side With Love Climate Justice Organizer

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The recording is now available for our September Green Sanctuary Community Meeting, Navigating Conflict in Our Climate Work.

Upcoming trainings and gatherings include:

• Wed, Oct 4: Green Sanctuary 2030 Orientation

• Mon, Oct 9: October Side with Love Monthly Mixer

• Sun, Oct 15: October Skill Up: Risk Discernment for Congregations

• Wed, Oct 18: Net Zero by 2030! Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting

Conflict is inevitable. What plan do you have to engage? Let’s get together and explore ways to transform harm and restore relationships in our congregations with Wendy Weirick, a Restorative Circles Facilitator. You’ve met her as a Side With Love Zoom host who has held the Green Sanctuary and Climate Justice gatherings with tender care as we lean into this work. Now, she invites us in to share one of her passions, conflict at the community level.

• View the training

• Download the slides

This can be a bittersweet time of year for so many, but we are taking joy in what UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt reminds us is the time when we “come back to each other in our congregations and communities.”

Whether you are coming back to your community after a long time away or whether you have been there all summer, we are grateful for your shared ministry toward collective liberation and beloved community. 

This summer, Side With Love program and field staff created a wealth of events, resources, and opportunities to balance the need to rest and play with the necessity of honing our skills and staying informed and prepared to respond to the ongoing attacks on communities and people beloved of us.

Whether you need a space to grieve and pray, the opportunity to gather with others doing the work, or dedicated time to learn, we have something that will serve you.

Learn

Skill Up Series: Summoning Courage

Skill Ups are our monthly training series on various organizing skills to help strengthen our congregational and community justice teams. These trainings incorporate spiritual fun and hands-on exercizes to help deepen the lesson. Skill Ups occur every 3rd Sunday for 90 minutes, starting at 4 ET / 3 CT / 2 MT / 1 PT.

• Oct 15: Risk Discernment for Congregations

• Nov 19: Faith Out Loud

• Jan 21: Community Safety and Security

Check out the collection of past Skill Ups here.

Gather

Faithful Gathering

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. 

Show up as you are, with whatever is in your heart, and have your camera on or off as you need.

Come drink in the music, meditation, play, and prayer.

We end with a Connection Cafe for those who wish to talk together.

This gathering happens monthly on the 4th Thursday of the month at 4:30 PT / 5:30 MT / 6:30 CT / 7:30 ET.

Register Now

• September 28

• October 26

• November 23

• December 28

• January 25

• February 22

• March 28

• April 25

• May 23

Connect

Monthly Mixers

Following the success of our virtual and in-person mixers for General Assembly, we're thrilled to announce our virtual monthly Side With Love Mixer.

This mixer will be held the 2nd Monday of every month at 5pm PT / 8pm ET.

We know that these times ask a lot of us -- and we know we need one another to stay in the work with hope, joy, impact, and accountability. Join us if you are doing the work on the ground; if you are showing up for and with Side with Love; and/or if you are just learning about Side with Love. Come connect with one another, build community across issues, and have some facetime with our staff.

Register now!

• September 11

• October 9

• November 13

• December 11

• January 8

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We continue to be committed to our four intersectional justice priorities, work that is even more urgent as we daily see attacks against our climate, democracy, reproductive rights, and our trans and non-binary beloveds.

Create Climate Justice

Register for our Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meetings, view past trainings, download our Climate Resilience through Disaster Response and Community Care toolkit, subscribe to our dedicated email newsletters for climate justice and the Green Sanctuary 2030 program, and plan a screen of our powerful event, Abolitionist Visions on Climate Justice, with UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt. Learn more.

UPLIFT Action

Sign up for our dedicated email on reproductive and gender justice (including trans rights), download our Congregational Reproductive Justice Action Guide, learn about our monthly gatherings for Trans/Non Binary+ UUs, and view our past trainings including Responding to Far Right/White Christian Nationalist Threats; “Moral Obligations Transcending Legal Codes”: The Clergy Consultation Service on Abortion; and The Body Politic: Faithful UUs Showing Up for Trans Justice. Learn more.

Love Resists

Find spiritual practices for challenging moments, connect with Stop Cop City organizing, subscribe to our dedicated Love Resists newsletter, download our curriculum for the 2021-2022 Common Read Defund Fear: Safety Without Policing, Prisons, and Punishment; and view our training on arrestee support, What do we do when our conscience goes to jail?: UUs showing up for UUs who show up. Learn more.

UU the Vote

UU the Vote is now a proactive, year-round program to advance voting rights and democracy. Subscribe to our dedicated newsletter for campaign updates, learn about how UUs are protecting democracy throughout the year, and stay up-to-date on events and trainings. Learn more.

If you aren’t already, start talking to your elected officials about climate justice.  As we mobilize to end the era of fossil fuels, the People vs. Fossil Fuels Elected Officials pledge is a great way to connect with city, county, and state officials to build relationships for ongoing engagement on local climate action, energy, pollution, and climate disaster preparedness plans.

Use the Side with Love Click to Call to connect with state senators and representatives, and reach out personally to your city and county officials to sign this pledge. We need as many elected officials as possible to join us in pushing President Biden to end the era of fossil fuels ahead of the UN Climate Ambition Summit and March to End the Era of Fossil Fuels in New York this September.  Learn more about these efforts at SideWithLove.org/UUClimateJustice.

Last week was the one year anniversary of the most ambitious climate policy and clean energy investment in history. The Inflation Reduction Act includes incentives to make the clean energy transition and a decarbonized life easy and financially smart. With discounts and tax credits for home owners and renters and a 30% direct pay option for congregations, the IRA is a game changer. I’ve heard from so many UU congregations looking into solar, energy efficiency, and our IRA Peer Learning Circle Team of energy wonks are hard at work figuring out the best options for our people. Go team!

Friends, I invite you to think even bigger. What about all of the things we can do to decarbonize our communities to make sure that these federal funds help our neighbors most at risk of climate disruption?  Always when we’re doing climate work, we need to think about what climate injustice looks like in our communities. Who are the most impacted by climate disasters, extreme heat, winter storms, or floods? Where are the “sacrifice zones” in your community? Who is impacted and how? Who are the people organizing in those communities? Find the harm, then ask those closest to it how you can help. Racial justice is climate justice. Although the IRA has tremendous potential, we’ve got miles to go to achieve the equitable transition to a clean energy future we need. 

We need to embrace a visionary approach as we put our faith into action to ensure those most impacted by climate disruption benefit the most from federal clean energy funding. 

New Date: Visionary Approaches to Federal Clean Energy Funding Webinar

We are working on a new date for our Visionary Approaches to Federal Clean Energy Funding webinar, which will provide a framework of abundance with justice at the center.

Learn about the ways your congregation can advocate to electrify low-income neighborhoods, partner to weatherize low-income homes, and leverage our power to ensure that federal clean energy funding decreases disparities, builds community resilience and advances clean energy as a human right.

RSVP now to be notified when we finalize the date in September!

Tell Your Elected Officials: End Fossil Fuels!

If you aren’t already, start talking to your elected officials about climate justice.  As we mobilize to end the era of fossil fuels, the People vs. Fossil Fuels Elected Officials pledge is a great way to connect with city, county, and state officials to build relationships for ongoing engagement on local climate action, energy, pollution, and climate disaster preparedness plans.

Use the Side with Love Click to Call to connect with state senators and representatives, and reach out personally to your city and county officials to sign this pledge. We need as many elected officials as possible to join us in pushing President Biden to end the era of fossil fuels ahead of the UN Climate Ambition Summit and March to End the Era of Fossil Fuels in New York this September.  Learn more about these efforts at https://SideWithLove.org/UUClimateJustice

Green Sanctuary 2030 Congregational Community Training in September

This work is hard, but together we can shape a future with no fossil fuels, where clean energy is a human right, and all communities thrive. Our last Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting, Surprise Lessons in Congregational Transformation, provided excellent perspective on ways to work together to advance climate justice and increase collaboration in our congregations and communities. 

Although no one likes to talk about it, conflict is inevitable when working together. Next month’s discussion will cover Navigating Conflict in Our Climate Work with Restorative Conflict Circles. If you’re ready to learn more about the new Green Sanctuary, I invite you to attend a monthly orientation session on the first Wednesday of the month. Join the conversation!

As Unitarian Universalists, our faith calls us to be agents for change. However, sometimes this work can feel lonely, draining, daunting, or disconnected from our spirituality. UUMFE’s Action-Reflection Circles address both the yearning to tie our work to Unitarian Universalism and the call to transform ourselves and the world.  Join with other UUs on a regular basis to share stories about your actions and strategies, restore your resilience, deepen your solidarity skills, and tap into our UU faith tradition as a source of strength.

There is so much to be done, and it is so much more joyful when we do the work together.  

In community,

Rachel

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Rachel Myslivy

Climate Justice Organizer, Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team

Unitarian Universalist Association

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

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 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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!)

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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. 

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 

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

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

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

Since well before Roe v. Wade, Unitarian Universalists have declared unequivocally that we support every person’s right to make decisions about their own bodies and reproductive health, including the choice to seek abortion care. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, UUs have supported movements working to make abortion accessible and affordable and to destigmatize abortion within our society. Given that legacy, today is a heartbreaking day for all of us who believe that our bodies, and the choices we make about them, are sacred. 

Yesterday afternoon, Politico broke the news that through an unprecedented breach in Supreme Court security, they had obtained an early draft of the SCOTUS majority opinion in Dobbs v Jackson–a case in which the Court’s new conservative supermajority has the opportunity to overturn Roe and revert the country to an era in which abortion rights are determined on a state-by-state basis. In the leaked draft opinion, Justice Alito speaks for the majority in declaring, “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start,” and goes on, “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled.” In effect, unless the final version of this ruling is dramatically different than this draft, abortion will no longer be a federally protected right, with “trigger laws” criminalizing abortion care going into effect immediately.

To be clear: The conservative supermajority–enabled by a majority of justices appointed by Presidents that did not win the popular vote–is suggesting they will renege on their confirmation reassurances that Roe was the settled law of the land. Should this decision be finalized, it will be an intentional choice to side with white supremacy and Christian nationalism, and it will be an attack on all people with uteruses, particularly and especially BIPOC, poor, rural, and disabled people. It will have immediate and deadly consequences for millions of people. 

And still: pregnant people have been seeking and providing abortion care for hundreds and thousands of years. As so many have said, banning abortion will simply make it more difficult for people–especially poor, rural, and BIPOC people–to obtain surgical abortions safely and legally. To those of you who are in need of an abortion: your fear is valid, your body is sacred, and a wide network of people who acknowledge these truths are ready to help you access the abortion care you need. And, abortion is still legal right now. To get connected with medical providers and logistical and financial support, go to ineedana.com or abortionfinder.org to find the clinic nearest you.

The truth is that the conversation about abortion and reproductive rights has always been about Christian nationalism, misogyny, and white supremacy. Under the guises of “religious liberty” and “states’ rights,” the white, owning-class Christian right has been working since the end of the Civil War to subjugate and criminalize Black and brown bodies, maintain power, and hoard wealth. In the post-Roe era, with the rise of the Evangelical right, politicians quickly discovered that abortion was a highly motivating electoral issue to their base, and have been waging culture wars ever since. Meanwhile, the Christian right has ensured that unless you are urban, white, and middle class, you likely face significant barriers to obtaining an abortion even if it is technically legal.

For those of us who have poured our hearts into Reproductive Justice work, the likely overruling of Roe is heartbreaking. Many of us are terrified not only of what this will mean for people seeking abortions and other reproductive care, but for the precedent this ruling could set for bodily autonomy and privacy in countless other arenas. 

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. Each of us should have the power to decide what does and doesn’t happen to our bodies at every moment of our lives because consent and bodily autonomy are holy. And 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. 

As a people of faith, Unitarian Universalists have committed to working together for Reproductive Justice, following the lead of movement partners who have been in the struggle and on the frontlines for years. Here are six things you can do today to take action:  

1. Turn out tonight wherever you are to answer the Women’s March’s call to Rally for Roe.

2. Join Side With Love and the National Network of Abortion Funds for our upcoming political education event, Heart-to-Heart: Abortion Conversations & Action for a Post-Roe World, Tuesday, May 17 at 8pm ET/5pm PT.

3. Support local organizing for abortion access and Reproductive Justice. Form a congregational team, educate yourselves, join with other progressive people of faith, follow the lead of your local Reproductive Justice organization.

4. Donate to your local abortion fund to ensure that everyone who needs an abortion can afford one.

5. Get involved with SACReD, the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity, which is building a multi-racial, multi-faith movement of congregations across the country that publicly proclaim their support for reproductive dignity. It’s so new that it doesn’t have a full website, but you can sign up for future communications here.

6. Get involved with the work of the Liberate Abortion Coalition, and consider participating in the upcoming Abortion Crisis Caravan this June.

The fight is far from over, beloveds. Every popular poll shows that the overwhelming majority of Americans support the right to safe and legal abortion, and the Reproductive Justice movement is powerful and mobilized. As Renee Bracey Sherman, Executive Director of We Testify, recently noted, “Abortion is not a divisive issue, it’s a gerrymandered issue.” So we take a deep breath together, and prepare to carry on the work of those who have gone before and to follow those already leading us into the future. In the words of SisterSong, “ABORTION IS STILL LEGAL and we will always fight to keep it that way, but our work and our liberation has always been bigger than laws. It is also about culture change and mutual aid and US SHOWING UP FOR US.”

 Blessings and love to all as we show up together.

In faith and solidarity,

The Side With Love Team

Hours before the close of the 2022 legislative session, the Alabama state senate introduced some of the most harmful, comprehensive anti-trans legislation that has been proposed anywhere in the nation. If AL SB184 passes today, it will include a “Don’t Say Gay/Trans” provision, forced outing of LGBTQIA+ students, a bathroom ban, and the most extreme healthcare ban in the US, which could send doctors who provide gender-affirming healthcare to trans youth to prison for 10 years. 

Let us be clear: our faith unequivocally, fiercely, and unapologetically affirms that trans people are a divine and a beloved part of the human family. There is no law, no political rhetoric, that can diminish the inherent worth and dignity of trans and nonbinary people – that is endowed from the moment of birth, and can never be taken away. 

And, precisely because of this truth, our faith compels us to fight like hell against any law that would deprive trans and nonbinary people of  the basic human and civil rights that are necessary for human flourishing. Please, join us in taking action right now and demand Alabama House Speaker Mac McCutcheon vote no on SB184. Wherever you live, help make it clear that all eyes are on Alabama, and we’re ready to fight back against this cowardly, repressive legislation. Click here to call. 

Unfortunately, AL SB184 is just the latest in a national surge of anti-trans bills that are being used by the radical right to disseminate disinformation and whip up emotions (and votes) from the most regressive parts of their base. As we grow closer and closer to the midterm elections, we know we will see more of these cynical ploys by politicians – and we must respond by both fighting these insidious laws, and doing everything we can to reduce the harm they will inevitably cause to the trans and nonbinary beloveds in our communities. 

Trans beloveds, if you are struggling today, please know that you are not alone. If you need help, please connect with some of these affirming resources now:

• Trans Lifeline for any trans/nonbinary+ person in need of support: US (877) 565-8860;  Canada (877) 330-6366

• Trevor Project Hotline/Chat Line/Text Line (For LGBTQIA+ youth ages 13-24): 

• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor

• Join us for our next UPLIFT Transgender / Non-Binary Monthly Gathering, scheduled for April 26 @ 8pm ET/5pm PT

We’re with you in the struggle, dear ones, and ready to fight for a world in which every single one of us is safe and thriving. Thank you for working toward that future with us. 

In faith and solidarity, 

Rev. Ashley Horan, Organizing Strategy Director

Side With Love

p.s.) What is happening in Alabama today is directly tied to attacks across the country on democracy, voting rights, reproductive freedom, and more. We will be joining our movement partners working on the 2022 elections to resist this oppressive wave of policy disasters and the politicians behind them, and to fight for a more affirming and democratic society. Join us THIS SUNDAY for our 2022 UU the Vote Launch to find your role in this work. 

p.p.s.) Want to know more about the wave of anti-trans legislation sweeping the country, and what you can do about it? Watch our recent Anti-Trans Legislation 101 and Speaking Up for Trans Lives Spokesperson Training webinars today. 

Over 300 people signed up for community nourishment, inspiration, and skillbuilding around climate justice on 3/22 as part of Spring for Change: A Season of Sacred Activism.

Quick links from the event:  

• Congregational Climate Convergence video

• Presentation slides

• Case study: Cultivating relationships with frontline communities Mentimeter online results and pdf of results.

• Case study: Engaging a broader spectrum of leadership - Mentimeter online results and pdf of results.

• UUSJ’s Water Resources Defense Act (WRDA) Call to Action Video and Action alert

• Side with Love Action Center

• Congregational Climate Convergence Evaluation

Summary of the Congregational Climate Convergence

 

After a warm and grounding welcome from Rev. Ashley Horan, the event started with a quick introduction to systems thinking and making connections on climate justice.  Climate Justice Organizer, Rachel Myslivy, shared two frameworks to shape the event, including the What? So what? Now what? framework from the Human Systems Dynamics Institute and a framework for cultivating meaningful dialogs through deep listening, direct speech, appreciative inquiry, and genuine appreciation.  

 

Case Studies.  Two congregations shared case studies to seed conversations among small groups.  Eva Berringer from First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa and frontline partner, Kayoki Whiteduck, discussed ways to cultivate relationships with frontline communities focusing on the emerging partnership with First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa and the youth Future Food Warriors at the Ajashki Food Security Initiative.  Ian Goddard from Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church (NSUU), located in Danvers, MA discussed the ways their Green Sanctuary Team reached out to front line organizers and by so doing also increased the percentage of congregation members and friends engaging the work with a particular focus on creative ways to increase engagement throughout the pandemic.   Ideas generated from the small groups were collected through Mentimeter and are available for viewing here and here.

Deepening Engagement.  After each case study, small groups came together to process the information, consider the implications, and frame next steps.  Using the What? So what? Now what? framework, Congregational Justice Organizer, Rev. Ranwa Hammamy posed questions for each group to consider.  Ideas generated from the small groups were collected through Mentimeter and are available for viewing here and here.

Action Center Spotlight.  The final portion of the convergence focused on the Now what? portion of the framework featuring a deep dive into the Side With Love Organizing Strategy Team’s Action Center.  Rev. Cathy Rion Starr provided participants with several actions to take, including joining Skill ups and Community of Praxis events.  Participants shifted from learning to action on the UUSJ Water Resources Defense Act (WRDA) action alert.  Hundreds of UUs learned about WRDA and took action!  Share the WRDA Action with your friends, family, and congregations!  Watch for a follow up click-to-call to contact your congressional representatives on WRDA.  

Throughout the event, Canedy Knowles of the Side With Love Fun & Spiritual Nourishment Volunteer Squad helped integrate mind and body and spirit with engaging activities that reinvigorated the group and helped us refocus for each section of the event. 

Side With Love would like to thank everyone who helped bring this Convergence together including

• Rachel Myslivy, Climate Justice Organizer

• Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, the Side With Love Congregational Justice Organizer

• Rev Cathy Rion Starr, the Side With Love Action Center Squads Coordinator

• Karen Brammer, Green Sanctuary Program Manager

• Aly Tharp, Co-Director of UU Ministry for Earth,

• Rev. Ashley Horan, Side With Love Organizing Strategy Director

• Audra Friend, Digital Communications, Technology, and Data Specialist

• Squad members Beth Posner-Waldron and Canedy Knowles

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See upcoming programming for Spring for Change 2022, March 20 - May 22!

Currently, there are approximately 150 anti-transgender bills moving through state legislatures across the country. From banning participation in sports to so-called "bathroom bills," to legislation that criminalizes providing life-saving gender-affirming health care, these bills are deadly for trans and nonbinary people of all ages.

Held March 15, 2022, this training featured Sam Ames, Director of Advocacy & Government Affairs for The Trevor Project; Rev. Erin Walter from Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry; and Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson from UU Justice Ministry on North Carolina, in addition to Side With Love staff Rev. Ashley Horan, Rev. Michael Crumpler, Rev. Ranwa Hammamy, and Adrian Ballou.

Recommended Actions from the training

• Take Action in Alabama

• Take Action in Texas

• Take Action in South Carolina

• If you are trans/non-binary, join our UPLIFT Trans/Non-Binary Monthly Gathering Space - 4th Tuesdays @ 8pm-9:30pm ET

• If you are subject to a child protection investigation for supporting your trans/non-binary child, file an Investigative Complaint with the Office for Civil Rights 

• If you are available to do rapid response actions, please sign up for our Side With Love Rapid Response Network 

• If you are a cisgender congregational leader or religious professional, take our Spokesperson Training to learn how to talk about protecting trans lives 

Recommended Resources from the training

• The Black Trans Prayer Book

• Tracking anti-trans legislation

• Podcast: The Anti-Trans Hate Machine

• See if your state has a UU Justice Network

• Transforming Hearts Collective

and finally, be sure to subscribe to our emails to be updated on our campaigns.

-- Some spoilers herein -- 

My daughter's teacher told me of some books she's been reading to my daughter's class this year -- Among the Hidden and Among the Impostors from the "Shadow Children" series by Margaret Peterson Haddix.  The stories are dystopian futures for youth readers, not unlike The Hunger Games or  Divergent, but for a slightly younger audience.  In Haddix's Shadow Children books, third children are illegal in this post-famine totalitarian state.  The first two books follow the story of Luke, a third child.  In the first book, he's in hiding in his family home.  In the second, he's at a school under a fake ID. 

What struck me, when reading these books, is that the main character, Luke, fails to act.  Unlike many science fiction and fantasy books where the main character becomes the central character in the struggle for justice or freedom, Luke, at least in these two books, does not.  In the first book, he's invited by his friend Jen to join in a rally for freedom and rights for third children.  Luke is afraid, and does not go.  In the second book, children are banding together, sharing their real names and starting to organize for another stand for justice.  Luke hangs back, and doesn't admit to also being a third child.  I haven't read all the books, and it's possible he becomes more of a leader in future books, but in the first two he's not even a follower -- he stands out of the action entirely in the first book, and in the second only really acts when attacked, and then in self-preservation, not in a call for more justice.

How strange, I thought, to read the story of someone who doesn't take up the fight, who waits it out in fear.  It's a story of how many, even most, of us react in times of fear and persecution.  But it's not usually the subject of a novel, which usually focuses in on the savior character -- the Ender, the Katniss, the Luke Skywalker hero figure. 

The world relies on the Jens to get out there and make a stand and lead the rally, but the world is full of Lukes, who hang back out of fear, and protect themselves.  And that's okay, especially for children, and especially for those for whom it is most dangerous to speak out. 

As a faith leader, I think often about what stands I'm willing to fight for, and to what extent.  There are ministers in our movement who were arrested in Phoenix for a stand they took against immigration policies and the inhumane "Tent City" there.  With a young child at home, I'm not anxious to risk imprisonment, although I respect greatly those who are. 

In other ways, perhaps I risk a great deal, putting my name out there in the media on controversial issues.  And maybe I'm only willing to do that when I disregard the risk as minimal.  There is violence that happens along and along against liberals who take public stands, but so far I've never encountered any.

The cause of justice has a lot of room for a lot of different levels of action.  Not everyone needs to be Martin Luther King, Jr.  There are a lot of degrees of action one can take.  I've appreciated in some protests I've been at, that there's been material distributed that essentially asked people to go different places and do different actions based on how willing they were to be in the front line, and how willing to be arrested.  Sometimes there are different roles prescribed for faith leaders, and sometimes separate areas for those willing and prepared to speak to the media.  There are different roles that are helpful and available in social action -- we need people to write letters, and we need people to talk to the media, and we need people to network with friends, and we need people to sometimes risk arrest and retribution. 

I suspect that by book four, Luke will be much more involved in actively fighting for the rights for third children, but so far I've enjoyed the story of one who hung back from action, who watched it from the sidelines.  Sometimes it's okay to stand in the shadows, too. 

In the wake of the verdict about the Trayvon Martin case, there are a lot of protests going on, and petitions calling for a civil rights case against George Zimmerman. 

With all honesty, I think that George Zimmerman is innocent under the law.  And what we need to do now is channel this energy, this passion, and change those bad laws, state by state.

Michigan is a "Stand Your Ground" state.  There have been rallies and protests going on in Detroit.  What we need to do is get this base mobilized to change these laws.  The Stand Your Ground laws perpetuate and exacerbate an already large problem of racial bias in our sentencing.  In states with Stand Your Ground laws, a new study has shown that whites who kill blacks are more likely to be found to be acting in self-defense than any other racial combination.  It's true in all states, but more so in Stand Your Ground states.

The studies aren't as thorough as they could be -- they don't compare home-invasion with non-home-invasion cases, for example. 

Even if Stand Your Ground doesn't perpetuate racism, it's still a bad law, however.  What we've basically been slowly instituting in this country is a system of shoot first and ask questions later; a system of bring a gun to a fist fight; and a system where guilt and innocence is decided by who is the fastest, quickest draw in the West, North, or South (not so much the East, which has fewer states with these laws).  In this system, the innocent person is the one with the gun.  The innocent person is the last person standing.

In this system we have, George Zimmerman was the innocent person -- he was the scared person with the gun, and the gun is the decider. 

We need to create a culture wherein it is not only acceptable, but better, to walk away from a fight.  We need to teach people to run away if they have the option of running away.  Stand Your Ground is a law that says even if you have the option of running away, you have the option to stay and take a life instead.  That's a bad decision.  It's a bad law.  Lethal force by civilians should always be left for where there's no alternative.  It shouldn't be a choice.

But we have the power to repeal these laws.  It'll take effort.  It will take a movement.  But I believe it can be done in Florida, and it can be done here.  

Yesterday at UU Planet, Peter Bowden wrote about how some churches were guilty of ignoring the verdict in the Trayvon Martin case.  He said, "If it is Summer, that’s no excuse.   CLERGY, if you serve a congregation you are responsible for making sure this happens while you’re on Summer vacation."

I don't have a plan for how such things will be handled when I'm on vacation or study leave.  I was fortunate to be up and hear the news.  And, upon hearing it, decided that I needed to go to church, and after a little delay, realized that I needed to do something to address the verdict in the worship service, even though the worship service wasn't my responsibility directly that way.  Bowden is right, that it's always our responsibility, even when on summer vacation (or study leave).  We are responsible for the worship of the congregation, even when we're on leave.

There's a question about where to draw the line in terms of current events that need to be responded to.  It's there somewhere between 9/11, where obviously one does, and the smallest news event you can think of on the other side, where it's not a necessity.  The Trayvon Martin case is somewhere between 9/11 and nothing big, surely.  Perhaps some could make the case that for their congregation, it wasn't a necessity.  But you never know who may come through your doors looking for answers or comfort or to give voice to their anger.  I know it was the right thing for many in my congregation that I did show up on a study leave week to lead the congregation in prayer.

Here is, roughly, what I said, as I reconstruct it from my notes I made before the service:

Today many of us may have come here with the recent news of the not guilty verdict in the case of George Zimmerman's shooting of Trayvon Martin.  We may be experiencing a wide variety of emotions in relationship to the news.  We may be angry, or sorrowful. Some of us may feel relieved, or even glad.  Some of us may simply feel confused.

We have a justice system in our country where the burden of proof is on the prosecution.  This may well be a case of self-defense. 

But we also have a cultural system in this country where a young Black man is assumed to be a threat.

This may be justice for George Zimmerman.

And yet, at the same time, there is no justice today for Trayvon Martin's death, and a young man has still died who should have had a safe walk home.

It is for him today that I ask a time of silence, reflection, prayer, or thought as we listen to "Ella's Song" by Sweet Honey in the Rock.


Until the killing of Black men, Black mothers’ sons, is as important as the killing of White men, White mothers’ sons, we who believe in freedom cannot rest.

Blessed be, and Amen.

A poem, title unknown, by Rev. Lindi Ramsden, from her 2014 Berry Street Essay

Change does happen;

sometimes so slowly we can’t see it.

So we foster friendships beyond the familiar, organize for the long haul,

invest ourselves in the daily tasks of change, building networks of trust.

AND THEN,

When public assumptions start to crack and open, stunned by reality into the necessity for change,

We are ready to move history:

ready with ideas and networks, songs and strategy, courage and compassion.

A good farm has soil built up, slowly, over generations, yet also knows the urgency of the harvest.

Justice too,

requires the long view

and powerful work in the ripe moment.