Social Action/Justice

“May We Turn More to Act than to Word to Declare Our Religion.”

Unitarianism and Universalism, and since 1961 “Unitarian Universalism” have long been faith traditions that encouraged our religious ideas to be tested in our day to day human living.  Do they make sense in terms of what I experience, and in terms of how I experience life?  Are they “reasonable” ideas?  If yes, well fine then.  If no, then feel free to let them go. 

The other maxim of our dual tradition is to declare our beliefs more in our actions than in our words...in other words, to show what we believe in by how we live our lives, who we include in our lives, how much compassion we show, the extent that we are, in the words of the hymn by Holly Near, “a gentle angry people” seeking more justice for those with less power.

Therefore, our tradition was very involved in the civil rights movement of the 60’s and 70’s, and on up to this decade.  Two Unitarians, Rev. James Reeb and Viola Liuozo were murdered as they worked in the south with Martin Luther King, Jr.  Westside Unitarian Universalist members, in the early days of the 60’s, were activists who organized sit-ins in real estate offices to protest “red lining", the practice of disallowing African Americans from buying homes in West Seattle.  Members were also active in tutoring of low and moderate income students, in environmental projects, and in anti-war protests.

Standing on the Side of Love: On February 11, 2010  just before Valentine’s Day Rev. Marian Stewart of the Northlake Unitarian Universalist Church and our minister Rev. Peg Morgan visited the office of EVERY legislator in Olympia who voted for the Domestic Partnership bill last year, the bill that stood up to Ref. 71.  They gave them valentines from our children which thanked them for “standing on the side of love.”   The legislators and their staff were very appreciative of the Thank You, particularly saying that they need to know that there are clergy who support gay rights. 

Interfaith Rally for YES on Ref. 71, to protect domestic partnership rights, October 18, 2009. See more photos here.

WA UU VOICES FOR JUSTICE Annual Legislative Conference, November 7, 2009, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., at Olympia UU Congregation. See flyer for details here.

Family Promise: This is one of our all-congregational major social justice/action projects. Homeless families with children will be invited to sleep at West Seattle churches, receive dinner, breakfast and a sack lunch. Website: www.familypromiseofseattle.org.

Churches will take a week at a time. Our congregation is partnering with Tibbetts Methodist Church who will be the host for housing. We will provide the food and companionship including staying overnight--for three nights or so of the week they stay there. To help with food, tutoring children, playing with children, sleeping overnight, contact the church office to get contact information for Eileen Duffy, our co-coordinator. See list of items needed to be donated.

Habitat for Humanity: We are just finishing building on the Puget Sound UU Habitat build, right here in High Point, West Seattle. To help, contact Viv Monahan (contact our church office to get her contact information). Photo on right: Rev. Peg Morgan from the Westside Unitarian Universalists leading a House Blessing.

Photo above: Some of the Westside Unitarian Universalist members, including left to right: Gary Gertig, Viv Monahan, Arlene Borella, President Paula vanHaagen, John Monahan, Fifie Marie, Lynn Williams receiving a thank you from Habitat for Humanity for a year's worth of construction volunteers and funds.

Mother's Day March for Peace: click this link for a report and more pictures!

High School Youth Program: Preparing Monthly Meal for Homeless Teens at Orion Center. (www.youthcare.org/index.php/services/orion ).  Once a month our teens prepare food for the teens that come into the downtown Orion Center.  Below is a picture from the first month, after they prepared a sumptuous taco buffet!

Marriage Equality and Civil Rights for our Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Brothers and Sisters: Our congregation has a long history of advocacy for the civil rights of our GLBT brothers and sisters.  We have long authorized "Life Partnership" ceremonies for gay and lesbian people.  We voted unanimously as a congregation to add our name to the amicus briefs that went to the State Supreme Court seeking equal marriage rights.  We voted unanimously to be a Welcoming Congregation, after exploring our biases and learned prejudice, whether we are gay or straight or...We annually have a group of congregants go to Olympia to add our numbers to the demonstration in favor of GLBT rights.  And our minister, Rev. Peg Morgan has long been involved in all of these activities and as a clergy spokesperson and demonstrator for equal civil rights.