Unitarian Universalism is a faith that lifts up the “prophethood and the priesthood of all believers.” While I may possess the title of Reverend and the role of a minister, the ministries of our congregation – creating worship, teaching, caring, organizing, serving, justice-making – all of these are our shared work. You are also invited to minister to one another and to the brokenness and possibilities in our individual lives, in our congregational life together, and in the world beyond our walls.
One example of a shared ministry is our social justice efforts, which engage many hearts and minds in the work. This is especially clear at this time of Dana Buhl, our Social Justice Director’s sabbatical. Dana is able to have time for renewal, in part, because so many of us are also here to show up for our justice work. There are the members of the Social Justice Collaborative Team who coordinate between the various justice ministries, which Mary Ann B. and Scott E. are leading while Dana is away. Then, there are all the teams which so many of you engage with, including our Immigrant Justice Action Group, Advancing Racial Justice Action Group, Committee on Hunger and Homelessness, Care and Action for Reproductive Dignity, Community for Earth, Economic Justice Action Group, Peace Action Group, UUs for Justice in the Middle East, and our Shower Project.
Recently, I was in a conversation with some folks who shared what the words ‘social justice’ meant to them. This sharing made me more aware that we may have diverse understandings of these particular words and of the need to create a common language. When I reflect on a comprehensive social justice program for our congregation, my hope is this would include some sort of balance of the following five elements: community service, education/raising awareness, public witness, advocacy, and community organizing.
When combined, these five efforts (along with the activities of fundraising and the volunteer development needed to fuel these efforts) can lead to meaningful change. You may be drawn to one, a couple, or all of these activities. The good news is in a congregation like ours, we need people to do all of these things, but we don’t need every person to do everything or certainly not all at the same time – that could lead to burn out. The question is how do you hope to engage and show up for justice in our community and in our city.
In a time when so many of our values, such as promoting democracy and human dignity, are under attack, our shared social justice ministries can be a grounding and guiding force in our lives and in the world. I have heard from many of you that you want to figure out ways we can show up for our values together.
Here is one opportunity: On April 5th, we will be organizing a First Unitarian Congregational presence at the nationwide protest about the erosion of our democracy, “Hands Off!” Day of Action. This event is co-sponsored by UUs for Social Justice, the League of Women Voters, and many other organizations. If protest is a way that you feel moved to engage, join with First U, and show up for all or part of the action, if you can.
At our Tuesday, April 1st Connect and Reflect on Zoom at 5:30pm, we will be discussing our coordinated presence on April 5th and ways that we hope to engage in the coming days and months. Go to www.tinyurl.com/Connect-Reflect. Also, look for more details in next week’s Front Steps as to further plans.
In faith,
Rev. Alison