WUU Social Justice Reimagined

by the WUU Social Justice team

About a month ago we came together for Social Justice Sunday. We listened to each other and shared ideas on how we can work together to live our values and make a difference in the world. Andrew Batcher, the Social Justice Coordinator for the UU Potomac Partnership, shared some of his wisdom. He encouraged us to move from a social justice ministry focused on issues to one focused on visions. He talked about “building space where we can be authentic together and to widen who is welcome in that space.” Through our actions, we can “demonstrate how we are a home, a haven, an affirming space for inspiring action and nourishment for the souls who long to shape a thriving future in community.” At the workshop following the service, we shared some of our ideas and identified some of the ways that we would like to help build our shared vision.

In May we are making another transformation. Jessica Sapalio and David Wilcox are each moving on to other work and Kate McGaw is stepping up as Social Justice Chair. She will be leading a reimagined Social Justice Ministry and needs your help. Here are some of our active programs along with who to contact to learn more and participate.

The Rainbow Ministry Team and the Rainbow Allies are dedicated to welcoming lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning people, their families, and friends to our congregation; and concentrating on issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community. WUU is proud to have completed the Renewal process, and the Team is committed to continued annual renewal. For more information contact RainbowMinistry@wuu.org.

Through our Share the Plate program, WUU directs the entire Sunday service offering once a month to support non-profit, generally local organizations that provide much-needed services to our community. Would you like to meet some of the people working with the best service organizations in Williamsburg and help select recipients? Contact STP@wuu.org for more information.

UU the Vote is a non-partisan initiative of the Unitarian Universalist Association that works nationally to protect voting rights, educate voters, and encourage people to participate in the democratic process. WUU participates in UU the Vote primarily through postcard drives that provide accurate information and empowering messages to voters of color in states with a history of voter suppression. Contact Karen at UUthevote@wuu.org.

WUU works with the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy to advocate for important legislation at the state level. In addition to opportunities throughout the year, we participate in the annual Day for All People lobby days in Richmond during January. For more information contact SJChair@wuu.org.

As a UUA Green Sanctuary, WUU has committed to consider the environmental impact of all that we do. Our principles call us to recognize and protect the interconnected web of life. A new group is forming with the environment as a focus. For more information contact GreenJusticeLeaders@wuu.org.

WUU provides direct support for those in our community who are in need. The Winter Shelter Program partners with the Communities of Faith Mission to provide warm meals and a safe place to sleep for our unhoused neighbors for one week during the winter, usually during the month of March. Volunteers prepare meals, help with check in and check out, and provide a safe and supportive presence. The Motel Meals Program purchases hot dinners from Meals on Wheels and delivers them on the second Wednesday of every month to families and seniors living in local motels. The Summer Meals for Kids Program partners with St. Martin’s to make and pack lunches for 220 children living in low-income housing areas and motels every Friday during the summer. For more information about any of these programs, please contact SJChair@wuu.org.

On Social Justice Sunday additional ideas and visions were shared that reflect the many ways that WUU members and friends are active in the community and the world. We hope to follow up on many of these ideas and may be reaching out to you for more information. If you have a vision for a social justice project and the energy to help make it happen, please contact Kate McGaw at SJChair@wuu.org.

Please join us in this re-imagined ministry where we strive to support each other as we do important work.