First UU is dedicated to social action at the local, state, national, and global levels. Through service and outreach, we live our church mission to nourish souls, transform lives and do justice. Our members support projects in the areas of hunger, homelessness, affordable housing, public health, eldercare, immigration reform, reproductive rights, economic justice, LGBTQ rights, and environmental stewardship. We address social justice issues through education, service, witnessing, community organizing, and advocacy.
Whether you can commit a few hours each month or only help out once or twice a year, we have an opportunity for you! Join our ChurchCenter Group for more information or to get involved with any of First UU’s social action groups and projects.
You can also contact us at socialaction@austinuu.org or follow us on Facebook.
Our social action work is informed by our church’s mission statement: “Together we nourish souls, transform lives and do justice to build the beloved community.”
- We further our UU Principles and protect human rights for all.
- Our efforts are organized into six pillars. Within each pillar, a leader and core team set the agenda and determine actions for that area.
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The six pillars, their current focus and contacts are:
Reproductive Justice
Engage interested members of the church in community organizing and action to achieve reproductive justice for Texans. We will build partnerships with community groups committed to fight for the human right to reproductive freedom. We will also work to support reproductive and abortion access.
Elizabeth Gray – reprojustice@austinuu.org
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Racial Justice
Increase our knowledge and awareness of our own white privilege and systemic white supremacy. Our goal is to have an impact on racism. Activities will include a book study and participation in related events.
Ginny Fredricks – racial.justice@austinuu.org
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Environmental Justice
Explore and create ways to raise the consciousness of our Congregants, our community about Climate Justice, identify and implement ways to help our sacred Earth survive and thrive. How can we not do everything we can for the poorest, those most disproportionately affected and most vulnerable to climate?
Click here to access guidance for congregations on addressing the climate crisis.
Richard and Beki Halpin – green@austinuu.org
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LGBTQ+ Rights
Engage others in the fight against unjust and inhumane legislation geared to erase Trans people and drag performers Becoming Carbon Positive Manual (Climate Buddies-IEN 2013.04.02) copyfrom the public landscape. We will partner with allied organizations, including PFLAG Austin, the Texas Freedom Network, and TXUUJM.
Leo Collas – LGBTQ.justice@austinuu.org
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Democracy
We live out the fifth principle of exercising the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process in society at large. Specifically, we advocate for good and just policy at the state and local level by contacting elected representatives and promoting voting.
Vanessa McDougal – democracy@austinuu.org
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Immigration Rights
We partner with local immigrant right groups like The Foundation for the Austin Sanctuary Network that works to stop deportations by opening houses of worship to immigrants needing to take sanctuary or accompanying immigrants to San Antonio for ICE appointments and court hearings to see firsthand how our laws oppress humans; Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera to broaden awareness of runaway global capitalism caused by Free Trade vs Fair Trade, and other immigrant rights groups in the Austin area.
Peggy Morton – insideamigos@austinuu.org
**If you want to volunteer to drive residents of Casa Marianella – a home for recent immigrants and refugees – to local appointments around Austin, please email socialaction@austinuu.org or rebsfs1@gmail.com.
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Additional UU Social Action Partners:
Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry (TXUUJM):
TXUUJM educates and organizes member congregations, and partners with sympathetic organizations in order to advocate effectively for public policies that uphold UU values.
Contact: Erin Walter, TXUUJM@gmail.com
For more information about TXUUJM’s work and how you can be involved, go to txuujm.org.
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Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC):
The UU Service Committee advances human rights and social justice in the U.S. and around the world. Through a combination of advocacy, education and partnerships with grassroots organizations, UUSC promotes economic rights, advances environmental justice, defends civil liberties and preserves the rights of people in times of humanitarian crisis.
Contact: Judy Sadegh – uusc@austinuu.org
For more information about UUSC programs and how you can be involved, go to uusc.org.
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Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office: The voice of the UUA at the United Nations.
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UUA Commission on Social Witness
Unitarian Universalists for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (UUADP)
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) The national association to which our congregation belongs.
To get involved in the struggle against inhumane immigration practices, click here.
Inside Books is part of our Environmental Justice work and yet it is intricately connected to Racial Justice and many other causes that are supported by our principles. Check out this video, and email green@austinuu.org to get involved.
