SOCIAL JUSTICE NEWSLETTER
Upcoming Events |
October Meetings
POWER City-Wide Affordability Campaign
SAVE THESE DATES!
Here's a listing of our October Justice Team meetings:
October 1 at 7:00 pm: Environmental Justice (Zoom link)October 12 at 7:00 pm: LGBTQIA+ Justice (Zoom link)
October 13 at 7:00 pm: Economic Justice (Zoom link)
October 15 at 7:00 pm: Good Government (Zoom link)
October 21 at 7:30 pm: Reproductive Justice (Zoom link)
October 26 at 8:00 pm: Criminal Justice (Zoom link
In addition to our Justice Teams, we’re also fully committed to getting out the vote and protecting our democracy. With only five weeks left until the midterm elections, now is the perfect time to get involved.
Join our Democracy Defenders program, to learn opportunities to get
involved in voter outreach and election defense. Register for a civic
engagement workshop near you at:
Philadelphia, Saturday October 24 and Sunday, October 25, 2026 at
Unitarian Universalists of Mount Airy, 6900 Stenton Avenue, Phila, PA 19150
October 24 from 2:00 - 5:00 pm and October 25 from 2:00 - 5:00 pm
| Monday, October 5 — |
| Tuesday, October 6 — |
Yass has spent his vast fortune on supporting election deniers and misleading voters before, and we know he and his cronies are making another power grab at the 2026 midterm elections. This is our chance to let them know that won’t let them aid Trump and the Billionaire class in destroying our democracy. This action will be an opportunity for organizations to prepare for Election Day and what comes after by turning out our base to protect our democracy."
| Every Monday Morning — |
Prayer Vigil at ICE Field Headquarters
PA Senator Art Haywood + Community Partners
Join PA State Senator Art Haywood and community partners in a prayer
vigil at ICE Field Headquarters on Monday mornings. The vigils are intended
to bring public awareness to the cruelty of ICE raids, detentions, and
deportations. These vigils are a "Call to Conscience," and are peaceful, prayer
-centered gatherings, not acts of civil disobedience. Participants will engage
in readings, prayers, and singing. All are welcome.
| Weekly on Wednesdays — |
|
Interfaith Vigil at ICE Field Headquarters New Sanctuary Movement Philly 114 North 8th Street 11am every Wednesday morning |
| Weekly on Wednesdays — |
We the People Wednesdays is a weekly event combining community singing, educational presentations about threats to our democracy, and successes in fighting those threats, along with simple actions anyone can take to stand against tyranny. Please note: We The People Wednesdays is returning to its warm weather home and earlier start time - at the High Point Cafe at the Richard Allens Lane Train Station for an hour of music and inspiration.
SEPTA’s Richard Allen Station (Cresheim Road at West Allens Lane)
For more info, action steps, song lyrics and our weekly schedule go to:
We the People Website | Email | Instagram | Facebook
Sing in community
Listen and Learn
Take action
News & Information |
Vigils
Mondays, 11am, 114 N. 8th St., ICE Office-Interfaith leaders/Sen. HaywoodTuesdays, 2pm, Vigil in Norristown which has been the location of many ICE arrests
Wednesdays, 12 noon, New Sanctuary Movement, ICE office, see Mondays
Thursdays, 5:30pm, Black Lives Matter, 6900 Stenton Ave UUs of Mt. Airy
Fridays @ Fetterman’s, 11:15am, Stop the Bombs, US Custom House, 200 Chestnut St.
Fridays, 3pm, the Catholic community recites the Rosary, ICE office, see Mondays
UUs of Mt. Airy sent an eight member delegation to the Power Affordability Assembly, including Rev. McKinley, Cathy M, Anam O-E, Bruce P-J, Fern C, Deb G, Molly D and Laurie D. You can see a description of the event by opening this hyperlink.
Tragedy in Nepal
UU Justice PA “Meet the Moment” Campaign
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With the Meet the Moment
Campaign, we can turn UU values
into public action: ✅ Advocate for voting rights and a thriving democracy. ✅ Push for compassionate and dignified public policy. ✅ Support vulnerable communities across Pennsylvania. ✅ Help UU congregations respond with clarity, consistency, and courage. This work requires coordination, staff power, reliable tools and statewide connection. Donate today. |
UUJME Chapter Summarizes Its Activities in Report to Congregation
In a brief update designed to keep the congregation abreast of its
activities in September and October, the UUsMA/Justice Council
Chapter of Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East
(UUJME) has posted a report on the Justice Council page of the
church’s website. The report covers the Empty Cups ritual alongside
UUsMA’s Water Communion in September to bring attention to the
UUJME Chapter Summarizes Its Activities in Report to Congregation
denial of water to Palestinians by the Netanyahu regime and discusses recent and upcoming programs.
To read the entire report, click here.
Justice Council Reveals Its New Mission Statement
Completing the process of identifying its focus and priorities that began with a congregation-wide retreat in January, UUs of Mt. Airy’s Justice Council has revealed its new mission statement. The statement, which will help to guide Justice Council programs and activities, follows below:“Unitarian Universalists of Mt. Airy are committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression and broader social justice* efforts to create systems and structures that help everyone thrive and be whole.
The Mission of our Justice Council is to empower our congregation to identify justice* issues for evaluation, prioritization, and action, and to hold ourselves responsible for the outcomes of our work. We strive to build partnerships with our neighbors to dismantle the systems at the root of societal injustice and to build Beloved Community meeting urgent human needs in our community.
To ground our social justice work, we will strive to trust and listen to the voices of those who have been and continue to be harmed by injustice. We will value and follow their guidance on our path to healing actions and hold ourselves responsible to them.
Our work is rooted in UU spirituality, principles, and values".
* Social Justice issues including: economic equality, reproductive rights, LGBTQiA rights, climate justice and human rights for all.
Change for Change Guidelines, Nomination Process, and Form:
Revised 12/3/24 (CS)
Guidelines: We will select organizations led by and primarily serving Black, Indigenous and other People of Color
(BIPOC) in our surrounding community* as well as periodic, special projects from UUA associated
organizations, such as Side with Love, UU Service Committee, UUTheVote and UU Ministry for the
Earth, that reflect our congregational values and interests in promoting justice.* Community defined as Germantown, Mt. Airy and other NW Philadelphia neighborhoods.
Complete the form below as part of nominating an organization for an upcoming month’s Change for Change (C4C) offering and submit to Justice Council (JC) co-chairs. Their names are listed under the "Justice Council" link near the bottom of this webpage. They will share it with JC members a week prior to the next monthly JC meeting.
- For the C4C Newsletter description write a draft of no more than 150 words. Include a reference to who the agency serves, which NW Philly neighborhoods it serves and the organization’s website. See prior UUsMA newsletters for a model of this.
- Provide a draft C4C offering description based on the newsletter description to be used in Sunday worship Order of Service (OOS) bulletin and the slide projected on the sanctuary screen during the Offering. Length: approximately 75 words.
- Indicate that you have confirmed with the agency is a tax exempt, 501-c-3 agency or has a tax exempt fiscal agent or sponsoring organization
- Provide organization contact name and the person and mailing address that UUsMAs bank will send a check for the month’s C4C contributions,
- Finally, please explain briefly why you submitted this organization for our C4C financial support and ways UUsMA members can possibly volunteer with or otherwise support or participate in the organizations work.
Resources for Getting Through
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and several of its affiliated groups offer newsletters and action alerts specifically to keep UUs interested in social justice work informed on the issues of the day and individual and collective actions that one can take. Listed below are several UU, and other, affiliates and links to learn more about their work.- Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ):
UU Advocacy in the Nation’s Capital “With the active participation of our individual and congregational members, UUSJ works to help our Federal Government adhere to the practice of democracy and the dignity of all people—and other principles that we UUs hold dear. Today, our work is more important than ever to defend our democracy through advocating for fair elections; for racial, economic, and environmental justice; and stand as allies with marginalized and disfranchised people.” Sign up for monthly newsletter and action alerts.
- Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME):
Founded in 1971, UUJME is a UUA-related social justice organization of education and advocacy siding with love with the people of Palestine-Israel. UUJME “work(s) within the Unitarian Universalist community to educate and mobilize individuals, congregations, and denominational leaders to recognize and counter inequality and injustice in Palestine-Israel and to support our allies in the global justice and anti-oppression movements. Sign up for e-news and alerts.
- UUJusticePA :
“UUJusticePA is working for real change for real people. Our members help sustain the fight for justice for all in Pennsylvania. We hope you’ll consider joining or donating today. We also invite you to sign up for our FREE email list, which will provide you with Action Alerts, social justice news, and other vital information — at NO cost.” Get on our FREE Email List
- Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC):
The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) is a nonprofit, nonsectarian organization advancing human rights together with an international community of grassroots partners and advocates. We focus our work on intersecting roots of injustice to defend rights at risk due to criminalization and systemic oppression of people based on their identity. We support self-determination and defend the rights of people displaced due to climate, conflict or economic hardships; and we respond to humanitarian crises as partners with people whose access to aid is most limited.
- American Friends Service Committee (AFSC):
AFSC works for a just, peaceful, and sustainable world free of violence, inequality, and oppression. We join with people and partners worldwide to meet urgent community needs, challenge injustice, and build peace. Guided by the Quaker belief in the divine light of each person, AFSC works with people of all faiths and backgrounds to challenge unjust systems and promote lasting peace.
