UU Ministry for Earth Community,

A few weeks ago, I published pictures of myself and other UU’s in front of the US Capitol for UU Hill Day. Led by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ), and the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE), over 100 UU’s gathered on Hill Day in hopes of slowing, stalling, or even stopping the course of what has come to be known as the “Big Bad Bill.” Alarmingly, this bill has now been passed. For those expressing our concern, the passing of this bill was a shock that turned stomachs and knotted nerves. While some celebrate this bill, it did not make my own Fourth of July any happier. I’m concerned for our country, for the people of the future, and our world.

Pablo DeJesus, Executive Director of Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice issued the following press release on Thursday, July 3rd. (If you are interested in following Pablo and UUSJ’s leadership in the future, their website is here: www.uusj.net)

For Immediate Release:

“This Will Reverberate for Decades, if Not Generations:
The House committed profound injury to the average American.”

In the days and years to come, UUs are called to action. We are called to uphold our Shared UU Values and Principles, which challenge us to create justice and equity for all. We are change-makers… all of us. This is one of the secrets of life. In the words of Octavia Butler:

All that you touch,
You Change.
All that you Change,
Changes you.
The only lasting truth
is Change.
God is Change.

“We are Unitarian Universalists. We side with love – always, love,” Pablo DeJesus writes. “And we will persist in this commitment, even in the face of this injustice and its aftermath.”

I believe this, friends. And I believe in the power of showing up, of talking to one another, and of leaning into our collective power to galvanize hope and strategize for the future.

“When hope awaits at e’vry turn, I know we will go on.”
~I Know I Can,
Singing the Journey, hymn #1015

Yours in love and service,

Rev. Lauren Levwood, UUMFE Board Chair