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I'm not exactly sure how to start this, so I'll begin with some background and share what I'm hoping to find in a spiritual community.
I'm a 34-year-old white, cis, gay man, married to a brown, immigrant, cis, gay man. I was raised in a liberal, non-religious household, but growing up in rural Colorado, I spent a lot of time attending evangelical churches with friends; that was the dominant faith community around me. My parents avoided religion altogether, so I was left to piece together my own understanding of faith, which eventually led me to a kind of Unitarian outlook.
I deeply identify with William Ellery Channingβs vision of Unitarianism and feel a strong connection to the works of Emerson and Thomas Paine. I read the Bible regularly, say the Lordβs Prayer every night, and see Jesus as a saintly teacher rather than a deity. I believe all sacred texts should be read metaphorically, as cultural expressions of the divine rather than literal truth. I also value the traditional Unitarian ideals of freedom, reason, and tolerance, along with both the older seven principles and the newer values like love, justice, equity, interdependence, pluralism, generosity, and transformation (though I don't always agree with how the UUA interprets them).
Politically, Iβve long considered myself a liberal Democrat, but over the last few years Iβve felt increasingly out of step with progressive spaces. The current emphasis on identity politics often feels reminiscent of the evangelical mindset I grew up around: rigid, moralizing, and unforgiving. In some circles, it can feel like being white and male is treated as an original sin, with no path to redemption.
Spiritually, I feel Unitarian Universalism is my home, but Iβve struggled to find a congregation that truly resonates. Of the four UU churches Iβve attended, most felt very secular; more like self-help sessions or spaces of collective guilt than anything spiritually nourishing. There's often little use of God-language or genuine engagement with the divine. As someone who still finds value in Christian language and metaphor, this can feel alienating.
So, Iβm wondering: does anyone else relate to this experience? Have you found a congregation or community that embraces a more classical Unitarian spirituality? Something that honors the divine, welcomes metaphorical readings of scripture, and encourages open-minded, moderately progressive conversation without the ideological extremes?
Amidst the escalating crises from DC to Gaza, Side With Love offers The Gathering to collectively rededicate ourselves to love, joy, and justice. Earlier this week, we gathered to stoke that fierce love and rekindle our collective hope and dream of a world of beauty, love, peace, and respect. We gathered to remind each other that what each of usβeach of YOUβdoes matters. We gathered to make sure you are grounded in our faith and in specific actions YOU can do. From Rev. Nancyβs grounding to Nicoleβs teachings about power to the powerful story of Georgia UUs organizing together for utility justice, what will carry you through this week and motivate you in rooted, strategic action?
You can watch the recording and view the presentation slides. After you watch, we would love your feedback!
As we said at The Gathering, the avalanche of news will keep tumbling and we keep each other out of despair. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things together. Here are the next steps we invited you into:
Ground yourself. What is 1 thing you will do to tend to your spirit and regulate this week?
Amplify. What is something you will share with 3 people tomorrow?
Use materials from the UU Climate Justice Revival to collectively reimagine a spirit-filled and liberatory future.
If you already did the Revival, Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice has tools for you! Access materials and sign up for the community meetings at SideWithLove.org/ClimateJustice or email Rachel at ClimateJustice@UUA.org.
I invite you to let us know which of these actions (or others!) you are taking this month, and be sure to read our Action Center Weekly Update for specific actions you can take this week. We publish the update every Tuesday on our Action Center.
More Resources and Links
Listen to more music: Hallelujah by MaMuse and Loosen by Aly Halpert
Hear more from the Georgia Claiming Our Power crew at our Green Sanctuary 2030 Community Meeting in October
One Million Risingβs 3-session training in the strategic logic and practice of non-cooperation
Join the Faithful Futures multi faith training series for people of faith committees to Reproductive Justice
Get involved in the Stop Avelo Organizing
Side With Loveβs Dos & Donβts Grounded, Resilient & Responsible Toolkit
We are more powerful than we knowβand we need that power well-organized to confront the regime we are facing together. Do at least one thing to celebrate your beautiful, fabulous, body and self this week, and we will see you again in September.
May we dedicate ourselves to love today and always,
Revs. Ranwa, Cathy & Side With Love Staff Team
P.S. Donβt miss our September 8th Gathering on Solidarity with Deepa Iyer!
We kick off the church year with live music from Parker Woodland and a conversation about Solidarity with Side with Loveβs Nicole Pressley and Deepa Iyer, author of this yearβs UUA Common Read Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection. As Nicole said after a conversation at General Assembly, βDeepaβs work at the intersections of solidarity, social change ecosystems, and movement building has been an important roadmap for so many of us navigating the complexity and urgency of this moment. Her reflections on grief, solidarity, and sustainable activism are brilliant and grounding.β Join us to continue the conversation!
Image description: A black background with white and yellow handwritten and typed text above cropped photos of Parker Woodland and Deepa Iyer, who is standing with Nicole Pressley, in circle frames. The Gathering. Music: Parker Woodland. Speaker: Deepa Iyer. Monday, September 8 at 8 ET, 7 CT, 6 MT, 5 PT on Zoom. βGatheringβ is underlined in yellow, with yellow hand-drawn rays above it.
Georgians Claiming Our Power: Recording and Resources from The Gathering, August 2025
WWUUD stream