Social Justice

Social Justice & Climate Action at UUFS

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

“We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors. We borrow it from our children.” – Native American Proverb

Our Social Justice program, guided by our Unitarian Universalist principles, welcomes participation from all members and friends, be it joining a one-time event or committing to a project over time. The Social Justice/Climate Action Support Team provides logistical and mentorship support to the program. At this time, we typically meet on the third Thursday of the month via Zoom from 7:15 – 8:15 p.m. All are welcome to join in discussing and planning our activities. The topic of each meeting will be in the UUFS mid-week e-news update. For more information, email social.justice@uufs.org

Since the inception of our Fellowship in 1962, social justice has been woven into the fabric of who we are as a congregation. We have initiated and implemented many programs over the years. Examples of current and past projects include:

  • Support for Our Unhoused Population: We prepared and served food on a monthly basis to 175 people at Sunnyvale’s North County Shelter operated by HomeFirst™.
  • Immigrant Rights: Our congregation came together to support one of our UU friends in her sponsorship of two asylum seekers.
  • Voter Access and Participation: In 2022 we participated in UUtheVote by writing letters to get out the vote for the mid-term elections.
  • Outreach Program to Non-Profits: We donate primarily to local organizations that support our UU principles (see list of organizations we support here)
  • Honoring and Acknowledging the Ohlone People: We are taking steps towards learning about the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe, the original inhabitants of the land on which we worship (details here) and acknowledging their continued presence. We advocate, individually and as a congregation, for the protection of Juristac, the sacred land of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band.
  • Education about Effective Climate Action: We host speakers, such as those from Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), screen relevant films, and provide numerous resources on this important topic. Our fellowship has a monthly Multigenerational Climate Discussion Circle (details here).

UUFS Supports UUSC's "Guest at Your Table"!

Once again, UUFS members and friends have placed their donations in alignment with their values. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s (UUSC) annual education and fundraising during “Guest at Your Table” raised more money than ever before. This year, along with all the matching funds, donations helped to provide over $36,000 to help our partners address social justice and human rights issues!

Thanks to all for your generous and ongoing support of UUSC!!!

Sincerely,
Teri Wiss
uusc@uufs.org

UUFS Climate Action Team (CAT)

Climate change affects each of us, and is also a social justice issue we are passionate about. Climate-forced mass-displacement, including increasing food and water insecurity, poses grave dangers to, and disproportionately affects, vulnerable populations. CAT, our Climate Action Team, is part of our Social Justice Program. Activities will include such things as sharing climate action resources during the monthly Social Justice meetings, screening relevant films, and inviting speakers. See our Climate Action Team (CAT) resource page here or email climate@uufs.org

Also see the UU Climate Action Network and Create Climate Justice Net.

Resources in Support of Black Lives Matter and for Help in Understanding Racism

This is by no means a comprehensive list, but we offer these resources as a place to start and, we hope, to continue your journey.

  • Read UUA president Susan Frederick-Gray’s message to white Unitarian Universalists here.
  • Find UUA resources for Black Lives Matter and Building a Movement for Racial Justice here.
  • Explore the Smithsonian’s 158 Resources to Understand Racism in America by Meilan Solly. Articles, videos, podcasts and websites from the Smithsonian chronicle the history of anti-black violence and inequality in the United States here.
  • Help defend black lives by supporting the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL) sixnineteen project here.
  • Support the Community Justice Exchange National Bail Fund Network here.
  • Watch the TED Talk with Ibram X. Kendi “The difference between being ‘not racist’ and antiracist” here.
  • Sign up for an online webinar to learn about racism here.
  • See UUA Love Resists here.
  • See UUA Side with Love here.

Also see our Recommended Reading page here for additional recommendations on learning more about how to be an antiracist.

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization advancing human rights together with an international community of grassroots partners and advocates. Learn more about UUSC’s work at www.uusc.org/our-work.

Join UUSC in advocating for their various initiatives to advance human rights at risk because of criminalization, displacement, and humanitarian crises to make sustainable social justice advancements across these often intersecting issues. www.uusc.org/initiatives/.

Take Action to Defend Black Lives and Dismantle White Supremacy here. Love Resists is a joint campaign of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) that activates people of faith and conscience to resist criminalization, build solidarity, and create a safer and more just world. Learn more here. 

UUFS contributes generously to UUSC’s Guest at Your Table education and fundraising event in November and December each year. In 2020, including matching funds, we raised over $36,000! For questions, contact Teri Wiss at uusc@uufs.org or visit UUSC at https://www.uusc.org/.

Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of California

Click here to sign up for a one-hour Community Action Circle or a Justice Collective.

The Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry of California (UUJMC) is a grassroots organization committed to advancing justice by cultivating and connecting leaders and communities, and by empowering the public voice of those who share UU values and principles. Volunteer-led Action Teams in our state are working to educate, organize and advocate for Economic Justice, Environmental Justice, Immigrant Justice, LGBTQI Equality, Healthcare, and Prison Reform. If you are interested in learning more about the UUJMCA or supporting their work, contact info@uujmca.org

Please send corrections or updates to this page to communications@uufs.org.

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