Social Justice
Social Justice at UUCB
T
he great purpose in life is to grow a soul, taught Unitarian minister William Ellery Channing (1780- 1842). All of us are on life journeys growing our souls. The natural outpouring of growing a soul is justice-making. Spirituality without social expression is empty; social justice without spirituality is hollow. How do we want to live our lives? Life is short; life is our chance both to grow a soul and what is called in the Jewish tradition "to repair the world." You can't do one without the other. Here at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley, we encourage one another to bring our selves and our gifts into social expression, not out of guilt for all that is hurting in the world, but out of our growing love and our recognition of what we have to bring.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley has many groups and committees dedicated to fulfilling Unitarian Universalist principles in society both through direct service, and through work toward social change. As Unitarian Universalists, we covenant to promote and affirm the dignity and worth of every person, as well as justice, equity, and compassion in human relationships. We work for the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all, and respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
We Are A Welcoming Congregation!
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley is a Welcoming Congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association, and UUCB has a vibrant LGBT community. The UUA's Welcoming Congregation Program, from the Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns, helps congregations to consciously examine homophobia, heterosexism and what it means for heterosexual people to be allies to people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. Unitarian Universalists actively honor the worth and dignity of all people.
LGBTs in the Community of UUCB
UUCB has held special services to honor ministers in the Bay Area who support and actively conduct same-sex unions; we field a large contingent in the San Francisco Gay Pride Parade each year; we bless the holy unions of all our congregants, and have raised several thousand dollars in the AIDS Walk over the last two years.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Berkeley is a chapter member of Interweave, the national organization for UU LGBTs and straight allies. UUCB is also connected to other Interweave chapters in the Pacific Central District of the UUA. Visit the PCD Interweave website.
