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While we’ve suspected this day was coming for years, its arrival is still cause for concern, grief, and anger. We know that people at All Souls, and in Unitarian Universalism overall, have different beliefs, experiences, and feelings about abortion. That’s OK! The goal of Unitarian Universalist organizing for reproductive justice is that all people can make decisions and access healthcare according to their own values, which includes both having children and not having children. The reproductive justice framework also affirms that everyone has the right to bodily autonomy, and to raise children in safe and sustainable communities.

With this broader framework in mind, it is all the more important that we recognize the larger context. The assault on abortion access, on transgender equality, on voting rights, on racial justice generally—these are all interconnected. They are part of an extremist ideology that divides people into worthy and unworthy, with race, gender, and gender identity as key variables in who should have access to resources. This kind of thinking was explicitly rejected by our Unitarian and Universalist ancestors, and we must join with other people of faith and goodwill across the country in rejecting this oppression today.

As Rev. Keithan said in his sermon on June 19:

While it may be tempting to launch into a rapid response after the Dobbs decision is announced, I want to share the perspective being articulated by black-led reproductive justice organizations, as well as SACReD, the Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity, a new national faith- based organization that All Souls and I are helping to launch. It is to name clearly that this is not a situation where rapid response will meet the need. This is a situation where deep, long-lasting commitment is needed. We got here because the far right has been working to overturn Roe for nearly 50 years.

Part of the work we need to do is political advocacy and organizing, yes. Rather than doing an action immediately after the decision, which so many other groups are going, All Souls is going to hold an education and organizing event in mid-July on working for reproductive justice. We’re already doing a lot, have plans to do more, and could use more people who are willing to commit to leadership.

Stay tuned for an announcement about the date and time of this gathering. And plan to attend worship on Sunday July 3, where eight other Unitarian Universalist congregations will join All Souls for worship.

Rev. Keithan will address the decision then as well, and has a special announcement about the Reeb Project and our plans for voter mobilization this year. In the meantime, you can find out where rallies and events are happening via Bans Off Our Bodies.

We look forward to continuing our shared work for the liberation of everybody and every body.

In Faith,
Traci, Bill, Kathleen, Rob, and Louise

PS: Click here to access the Unitarian Universalist Association’s 2015 Statement of Conscience on Reproductive Justice.