In many ways, we have two Homecoming weeks here at First Unitarian, and you will not want to miss this second Sunday of our new program year. Our Learning Community classes start this week with community building, games, and fun (a great day for children to visit for the first time). And, our Social Justice Program hosts a kick-off, including a special UU the Vote presentation. All of you are welcome to join in this first gathering, whether you are involved in a social justice action team, or not. This is our shared social justice ministry.
As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in putting our faith into action. Our UU values of justice and equity ask us to stand with others when their voices and freedoms are at risk. Right now, that means showing up for our UU siblings in North Carolina.
This year’s UU the Vote campaign is focusing on North Carolina, where there’s a $48-million push to make the state a Christian Nationalist stronghold. To counter this threat to democracy, UU Justice Ministry of North Carolina has launched the Dogwood Faith Project, a nonpartisan, interfaith effort rooted in shared values and civic engagement.
Our Democracy in Action Team has said “Yes!” to joining these efforts, and we need you to consider joining us and doing what you can.
Why should we here in Oregon care? Because democracy doesn’t stop at state lines. Our UU faith calls us to recognize our interdependence and to protect everyone’s ability to participate fully in democracy, regardless of their religious belief. Showing up for North Carolina is one way we live that commitment—and strengthen our own community in the process.
Now is the time to show up! Choose how you want to participate in this year’s UU the Vote:
- Sign up for the UU the Vote phonebank on Wednesday September 23 from 3:00 -6:00 pm. You’ll use a detailed script to engage North Carolinians in friendly conversations about what matters to them.
- Help write letters to historically underrepresented voters in North Carolina, encouraging them to vote. Pick up letters at the UU the Vote table in the social hall.
- Join us for the Social Justice / UU the Vote Kick-Off after the service on September 20.
Remember, you don’t have to be an expert—you just have to be willing to care and to connect. Plus, we have a history of helping to generate thousands of personal letters and phone calls from our church, which have a proven track record of boosting the number of voters. We are also joining fellow UUs from all around the country, so this is a chance to feel our collective power to counter oppression as our 8th UU principle calls us to do.
Let’s show up in force together!
In faith,
Rev. Alison Miller, Senior Minister
Dana Buhl, Social Justice Director,
and the Democracy in Action Team:
Susan P., Jean P., Mary Ann B., Cathy T.
Leslie C. David D., Laura R., and Scott E.