| Dear friends,
It’s times like these when I am so proud to be a Unitarian Universalist. The first month of 2026 has been a blizzard of traumatic headlines, yet what is giving me hope is witnessing how UUs are using the power of our religious values to push back. And it’s making an impact.
Two weeks ago in Minneapolis, MN, hundreds of UU faith leaders from around the country joined local organizers for a massive public demonstration of resistance, calling for “ICE OUT.” Unitarian Universalist were core parts of the planning and logistics teams for the multifaith MARCH event that brought prophetic faith voices into the national sphere, in a way that has changed the reality on the ground.
Our public witness as progressive people of faith shows that our deep religious roots are, in this moment, our superpower. Everywhere I go, I am urging UUs to claim this power given to us by our ancestors. Unlike other nonprofits, our right to practice our values is protected by the First Amendment of the Constitution. And while UUs have not always agreed with recent court cases on religious freedom, we must use every tool we have to protect our people and hold the line against authoritarianism.
Be obnoxiously UU in public, as loudly as you can!
Wear your Side With Love hats, shirts and stoles. Explicitly ground any public comments in our shared UU religious values. And lean in to all the multifaith, secular, and coalition building relationships you can in your community. The strength of those relationships is what helped the people of Minneapolis respond to a federal invasion. When trouble comes to your front door, it’s those relationships that can help you make it through. We truly believe that salvation is always collective.
Here are a few key tools from the UUA to support you in your public ministry:
- Regularly check the Community Resilience Hub of resources and guidance
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