Social Justice News January 2026

Today, January 12, is my deadline to send my Social Justice section to the office for inclusion in this month’s WUU News. And already I have had to revise this opening paragraph several times, as each time I add something, so the news has become more horrific. Just 12 days in to the New Year, and so much has happened. We wait to see what will happen in Venezuela and other parts of South America, and to our troops stationed in the area. Greenland is being threatened, democracy is being tested in Iran and there’s uncertainty whether our troops will be involved. Meanwhile, ICE is ramping up its efforts, murdering innocent people. In a matter of days, though, we saw how quickly America organized itself to protest the horrific murder of Renee Good, and many of us attended the rally at the courthouse yesterday. As UUs, we must continue to show resilience by standing up to oppression and the lack of human dignity shown by so many of our leaders. Whether we band together, as many of us do when we gather at the courthouse for Freedom Friday, in Colonial Williamsburg for Moral Mondays, attend local activist group meetings, or just as importantly follow the news at home, writing and phoning our leaders to let them know we are looking for change, sending money to organizations or food to local food banks, or volunteering with the local groups, we are all standing up for basic human rights. We come together during potlucks and fellowship groups, knowing that we are surrounded by those who believe in democracy. Often it is hard to feel we are able to bring about change, but in small ways, all that we do is so very important. Together, we are not alone. Together, we stay stronger.

Here are links to some local groups you may be interested in joining:

WJCC Indivisibles
WilliamsburgJCCIndivisible@gmail.com
Action by action, day by day, group by group, Indivisibles are remaking our democracy. They make calls. They show up. They speak with their neighbors. They organize. And through that work, they’ve built hundreds of mini-movements in support of their local values. And now, after practice, training, and repetition, they’ve built lasting power on their home turf and a massive, collective political muscle ready to be exercised each and every day in every corner of the country.

League of Women Voters
https://lwvwilliamsburg.org/
The League of Women Voters of Williamsburg Area encourages informed and active participation in government at every level. We educate voters, advocate for sound policy, and strengthen democracy in our community.

Virginia Organizing - Williamsburg local chapter
Virginia Organizing is a non-partisan statewide grassroots organization dedicated to challenging injustice by empowering people in local communities to address issues that affect the quality of their lives. Virginia Organizing especially encourages the participation of those who have traditionally had little or no voice in our society. By building relationships with individuals and groups throughout the state, Virginia Organizing strives to get them to work together, democratically and non-violently, for change. The organizer Meghan McNamara spoke to us this Sunday. Here is their contact information: Meghan@virginia-organizing.org

Giving Back to the Community

Contact these local groups to see how you can lend a hand to our less fortunate neighbors. And a huge shout-out to all our WUU family who already volunteer with these organizations.

FISH
https://fishwilliamsburg.org
FISH is a volunteer-operated, non-profit organization that provides food, clothing, and small housewares to persons in need who live in Williamsburg, James City County and York County. FISH fulfills its mission through the generosity of the Williamsburg community and the efforts of over 250 volunteers. The WUU family continues to collect food to take to FISH. Katrina Landon reports that in December we donated 15 bags of food. Also, thanks to you, our two large collection bins were filled up after our yearly sock and underwear drive.

Williamsburg House of Mercy
https://williamsburghouseofmercy.org/
The Williamsburg House of Mercy is committed to providing food, comfort, and hope to our less fortunate neighbors in Greater Williamsburg. Our mission focus areas are on Food Insecurity, Outreach, Financial Assistance, Harbor Day Shelter, and the Hope Pregnancy Center.

Habitat for Humanity
https://habitatpgw.org/
Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg has an open-door policy: All who believe that everyone needs a decent, affordable place to live are welcome to help with the work, regardless of race, religion, age, gender, political views or any of the other distinctions that too often divide people. How to Help: Volunteer in the ReStore or get out and help build homes in the area.

Gaia Council (formerly known as the Green Ministry)
Our newly renamed and still somewhat fledgling group has been busy both indoors and out over the past few months, with many great things to come. Here’s a brief overview of events so far:

Green Bookclub (est September 2025)
The group has just wrapped up a fiction selection, Cloud Cuckoo Land. For discussion on February 1: Winter World: The Ingenuity of Animal Survival by Bernd Heinrich.

WUU Arboretum
The group has been removing invasive species and generally cleaning up the Memorial Garden and property around campus to learn what is growing out back. To date, they have identified about 40 different native species. Uploading information and photos about these plants has begun. The next step will be to install identification tags for the various plants (at a cost of $20 a label...more on this during the Sunday service April 12th). The vision is to establish a WUU campus Homegrown National Park site.

For more information on Gaia Council, please contact Cynthia Abbot or Kim McHugh.

Rainbow Ministry
We are working with Virginia Organizing to help organize and sponsor Williamsburg Pride on June 27th at the Jamestown Beach Event Park. Our Share the Plate this month is being given to Virginia Organizing and will be used towards the planning and costs associated with putting on an event of this size. WUU with our DRE Robin will host a children’s play and art area as well. Look out for more information as the planning continues.

For more information about Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ), here is a link to their homepage: https://uusj.net/wp1/

Together we ARE better and stronger,
Stay safe, well, and informed,

Kate McGaw
sjchair@WUU.org