Sunny Notes: 06.10.26 - Justice
Unitarian Universalism has long been on the leading edge of social justice. We count among our ancestors some of the earliest proponents of women’s rights, abolition, pacifism, and environmentalism. These days, our justice work continues through such efforts as democracy campaigns, LGBTQ+ rights, immigrant justice, and anti-racism and reparations through restorative justice. Though our UU movement and its theology have evolved and transformed over time, our commitment to social justice—to the fair and equal treatment of all individuals and social groups—has remained.
One of our most celebrated ministers and theologians, James Luther Adams, spoke to the centrality of social justice to our religious movement in a 1975 address, stating: “Right attitudes are never sufficient alone. They must find embodiment in social institutions. Indeed, one must say that one does not even understand the meaning of ‘right attitudes’ or even of a theology until one recognizes their implications for social organization.” In other words, our theology calls us to live it to give it, working to transform the world to reflect our shared six shared values of Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence, and Generosity—all with the Love at the center.
Side With Love is the Organizing Strategy Team of the Unitarian Universalist Association. In their words, “organizing is not just a strategy—it is a spiritual practice, rooted in love, animated by faith, and sustained by our commitment to one another and to the world we are building together.” During the service this past Sunday, we lifted up the work of BUF's Social & Environmental Justice Committee (SEJC), which includes not only organizing, but also the human stories, the relational connections, and the meaningful experiences arising from the work. We highlighted the reflections of several SEJC Action Team members, as well as those who have been impacted by their work, sharing how BUF's justice work is “a spiritual practice, rooted in love.”
There is so much incredible social justice work happening in and around BUF. If you are interested in learning more, supporting SEJC, or joining one of the Action Teams, just reach out using the contact list below:
Humanitas
Rev. Marsha Vollkommer
Black Lives Matter
Lucy Kesterson
Environmental Justice
Deb Cruz
Fair Trade
Susan Thurn
Immigrant Rights
Deb Cruz
Refugee Action Team
Ann Stevenson
Native American Connections
Beth Brownfield and Deb Cruz
Sunday Justice Collections
Kara Black
To receive communications from the Social & Environmental Justice Committee at BUF, contact:
Carl Meyer
Yours in love and justice, Rev. Sunny, minister