Have you noticed? There is a new energy, a collaborative spirit that is uniting us in the work toward social justice. Step into our foyer and you’ll notice an additional table or two hosted by one of our 11 social action and advocacy committees. Hear about the next Voices Café, not only a great community and music venue, but also an instrument of social justice. Check out a banned book, sign up to make and deliver lunches to food-insecure and unhoused individuals in Bridgeport, or learn more how we’re helping students at Beardsley School and resettling refugees in our communities. These are just some of the many ways we are putting our UU values into action!
This new energy reflects our Social Justice Council’s desire to not only have each committee doing its important work, but also for committees to collaborate and help each other where possible. Further, as a council we determine together those times we must speak with one voice and unite in the necessary work of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.
Our congregation has a long history of social activism inspired by our UU principles. In fact, the first Social Justice Committee dates back to the 1960s! For the 18 years, our social justice work was championed by David Vita, who served as our Director of Social Justice until last year. The current Council was officially formed in October 2022. Comprised of leaders representing each of the social action and advocacy committees within our congregation, the Council believes that, as Unitarian Universalists, love is at the center of our spirituality and social justice is the very needed expression of our spirituality in the world.
We welcome your questions about the Council, its committees or ways to put your values into action. Click HERE to email us and be sure to watch for more articles about the Council and this sacred work of social justice in the coming weeks and months!
