"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these..., you did for me."
-Matthew 25:40
Social Justice is the work of humanity. It is Love made real, and welcome made visible. These are some of the social justice areas where I have been active over the last nine years.
Book banning
UUCOV is the founding organization of the newly organized Social Justice Alliance of the Florida Suncoast. Spurred on by our refusal to accept Florida's attempts to remove many books from the shelves of libraries, we are organizing and hosting a massive "Right to Read" Festival. Joining with a large list of partners from UU Churches, to synagogues, to Pride, and Venice Interfaith, and others, this event will feature over 40 vendors, national speakers, entertainers, and more. With games for the kids, books to hand out, and several stages of fun, we are expecting over 500 attendees.
Gun Violence
June 4, 2023 Wear Orange for Gun Violence Awareness Rally, Venice, FL
2018 March for Our Lives, Fairfax, VA
A rally against gun violence.
A rally against gun violence.
Transgender Alliance
In 2019 and 2022, UCDSM hosted the Trans Lives Festival. The 2022 Festival saw 500 visitors, 12 agencies, and multiple queer and trans vendors, including two LGBTQ+ owned food trucks. The event continued and grew in 2023.
Black Lives Matter
In September of 2015, after much debate, LCUUC made the decision to place a BLM banner in the yard. It was defaced twice.
After consideration, I led them not to quit, but to join with 4 other local UU churches in forming the first local successful UU social justice collaboration: Black Lives Matter to Wisconsin UUs.
Now, eight years later, BLM2WUU's has provided teaching sessions, workshops, trainings, and local BLM support.
After consideration, I led them not to quit, but to join with 4 other local UU churches in forming the first local successful UU social justice collaboration: Black Lives Matter to Wisconsin UUs.
Now, eight years later, BLM2WUU's has provided teaching sessions, workshops, trainings, and local BLM support.
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Family Promise
I believe strongly in housing justice, and in help for the homeless. In 2013 I led my congregation to agree to be a founding supporter of the local Family Promise organization, and in 2014 we were able to host the first local families. In 2016 I found an "angel" to provide a grant to Family Promise to allow them to purchase a much needed new bus, and recruited two new Board members. My Iowa congregation served as one of the host sites for Family Promise in Iowa, and our guests routinely noted on their feedback that we were the most welcoming and hospitable of the sites overall.
Venice interfaith community association
I serve on the VICA Board in Venice, Florida, working to help local communities of Christians, Buddhists, Jews, Muslims, Bahai, Sikh, and others discover new ways of supporting one another.