Summer at All Souls is often quiet, with less programming as the congregation takes a much-deserved rest. However, with the Dobb’s decision taking effect, people are very concerned about what’s next and many are looking for ways to get involved. We have compiled some of the current issues being taken on by members of our congregation, the UUSJ, and other partner organizations that you might be interested in following up with.
Reeb Voting Rights Project
Our 5th UU Principle, “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large,” compels us to advocate for a healthy inclusive democratic process. We need you – the hundreds of members and friends of All Souls, who have powered us over the past seven years – to mobilize and equip voters with the information they need to ensure their votes count and their voices are heard. Join us as we work in solidarity with other UU congregations and community partner organizations that center the leadership of people of color, work in communities with historically low voter participation, and advocate for changes to oppressive voting laws.
Two big ways to get involved:
Good Trouble Congregations. Now is the time to get into some Good Trouble! Good Trouble Congregations are congregations that answer the call to organize their communities and engage in the multiple and necessary activities that will help us win big for our communities in 2022. There is so much at stake in the 2022 midterm elections. There will be many activities you can participate from now through November. Let us know about your interests by filling out the very brief Interest Survey and we can plug you in to meaningful action to defend democracy, in keeping with our UU values. Or contact Reeb directly to discuss your interests.
Postcarding Florida. In national elections, Florida plays an important role as the largest bellwether state, occasionally determining the outcome of elections for U.S. President — as it did in 2000. In a 2020 study, Florida was ranked as the 11th hardest state for citizens to vote in. Why the primaries? Starting with the primaries gives us a chance to build real people power for the mid-terms.
You have the opportunity to fill out postcards to send to residents in Florida through the month of July, to be mailed the first week in August. Pickup a bundle and labels at the All Souls front desk during business hours. This is a very easy, at home volunteer opportunity that has the potential to help voters get to the polls. This video from our partner, Reclaim Our Vote, gives really good background on why and how we postcard.
Side With Love
Side with Love is a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power to stop oppression. It is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association, and all are welcome to join. The jour areas of intersectional justice this group is tackling includes:
Climate Justice (inclusive of Indigenous sovereignty and Climate Resilience)
Decriminalization (inclusive of Racial Justice and Immigration Justice)
Democracy and Electoral Justice (inclusive of Voting Rights and electoral participation)
LGBTQIA+ and Gender Justice (inclusive of reproductive justice and abortion access)
Interested in getting involved? Join one of the Side with Love Squads – a community of humble, faithful, fun, always-learning, do-ers who each do what we can to advance a future of justice that is irresistible. Squads are the volunteer backbone of the Side With Love Action Center. Squad volunteers bring their campaigns to life with the background work that makes it possible for Unitarian Universalists and friends to take action and build community for a just, equitable, and multiracial democracy.
Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ)
The UUSJ is comprised of UUs, UU congregations, impacted communities, organizations that represent impacted communities and others of UU values who work to advance equitable national policies and actions, aligned with UU values, through engagement, education, and advocacy to create a just, compassionate, and sustainable world community.
The primary issues that the UUSJ is currently taking on include:
Democracy Action. The attempted destruction of our democracy is a major political issue that threatens the very core of our existence as a country. The Democracy Action Team was formed in August of 2019 to assess and prioritize areas of focus and align these areas with legislation in Congress.
Environmental Action. One of the priority issues of Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) is Environmental and Climate Justice. The Environmental Action Team of UUSJ addresses the existential climate crisis and environmental justice.
Immigration Action. Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) has been advocating for immigration and refugee justice for six years. In response to agreed issue priorities decided on a biannual basis, an Immigration Action Team meets regularly, monitors developments, tracks positions of partners, especially those led by immigrants, and defines priorities for education, engagement and advocacy action.
Escalating Economic Inequity. Escalating Economic Inequity is one of UUSJ’s chosen priority issues. We work with organizations and faith-based groups including the Unitarian Universalist Association, Friends Committee on National Legislation, UU’s for a Just Economic Community, and Common Cause.
Interested in getting involved? Learn more here. There are several actionable ways the UUSJ recommends to take action, volunteer, and advocate.