Racial justice

As Unitarian Universalists dedicated to upholding our Seven Principles, UUCF is committed to exploration, learning and transformation around racial justice. The congregation lives this commitment through the work of its Racial Justice Steering Committee (RJSC).

Please contact committee co-chairs Kaye Cook and Sharon Johnson.

Racial Justice Steering Committee

The Racial Justice Steering Committee is a subgroup of the Social Justice Council. Through long-term education, service, advocacy and witness, the RJSC is dedicated to the following mission:

Understanding the root causes and effects of racism.
Working to dismantle racism through individual and congregational actions.
Developing partnerships with other institutions working to dismantle racism, particularly institutions led by people of color.
Increasing the congregation’s diversity.

The RJSC is composed of about a dozen members, including UUCF’s senior minister and intern minister. The group meets monthly and welcomes new members committed to this mission.

RJSC Updates

RJSC Quarterly Report 031217

UUCF Racial Justice events

Please click the event title for more information.

Racial Justice Steering Committee

Sat., Dec. 15, 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Library. Meets the third Saturday of the month, unless otherwise noted. Contact RJSC co-chairs Kaye Cook or Sharon Johnson. Through education, service, advocacy and witness, the Racial Justice Steering Committee (RJSC) - a subgroup of the UUCF Social Justice Council - is dedicated to identifying and alleviating the root causes and effects of racial injustice and racial discrimination. Find out about the group's Second Principle Project and other ways the RJSC is working toward these goals at uucf.org/racial-justice.

Beloved Conversations

Immersive retreat. Fri., Jan. 18, 6-9 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 19, 9 a.m.-4:45 p.m., Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church, 9601 Cedar Ln., Bethesda, MD. (NOTE: Friday bus leaves UUCF at 4:30 p.m.; Saturday at 8 a.m.). Eight, 2-hour facilitated small-group sessions. Monday evenings, 7-9 p.m. - Feb. 4, 18; Mar. 4, 18; Apr. 1, 15, 29; May 13 OR Sunday afternoons, 3-5 p.m. - Feb. 3, 17; Mar. 3, 17, 31; Apr. 7, 28; May 5. Led by Dr. Mark Hicks, Meadville Lombard Theological School Professor of Religious Education. Registration is FREE! Deadline is Jan. 13. REGISTER HERE. UUCF is excited to offer Beloved Conversations - a rich, experiential program for exploring the role of race and ethnicity in individual and congregational lives. The goal of Beloved Conversations is to re-form the brokenness of racism into new patterns of thought and behavior, ushering in spiritual healing for ourselves and our community. New ways of being will be learned through the actions of conversation and probing dialogue. For more information, contact Rev. David A. Miller.

New Day Rising Conference

Identifying Your Congregation's Next Steps in the Struggle with White Supremacy Culture. Sat., Jan. 26, 2019, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at UUCF. Register here. Fee: Sliding scale $20-$30-$40 (waiver for $10 fee as needed - just ask). Lunch included. Child care available - $5 per child. Please indicate your request for child care on your registration. Join UUs in the Central East Region for this day of learning, growing and rising. Sessions include: Why Do We Use the Words White Supremacy Anyway? with Revs. Megan Foley and Ian Evison There’s an Elephant in the Room: How to Have Difficult Conversations at Church with Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson Leading Racial Justice Work as UU People of Color with Rev. Sunshine Wolfe Identity Development With Children and Youth with Shannon Harper Why Is It So Hard to Get Others in My Community Interested in Racial Justice Work? A Look at the Intercultural Development Inventory with Rev. Renee Ruchotzke Experienced UU Antiracist Get-Together with Paula Cole Jones Identity-Based Group Caucusing Stories of Struggle and Success - 15 congregations share brief TED-style talks about what worked for them and what didn’t!

Area Racial Justice events

Please click the event title for more information.

New Day Rising Conference

Identifying Your Congregation's Next Steps in the Struggle with White Supremacy Culture. Sat., Jan. 26, 2019, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., at UUCF. Register here. Fee: Sliding scale $20-$30-$40 (waiver for $10 fee as needed - just ask). Lunch included. Child care available - $5 per child. Please indicate your request for child care on your registration. Join UUs in the Central East Region for this day of learning, growing and rising. Sessions include: Why Do We Use the Words White Supremacy Anyway? with Revs. Megan Foley and Ian Evison There’s an Elephant in the Room: How to Have Difficult Conversations at Church with Rev. Dr. Hope Johnson Leading Racial Justice Work as UU People of Color with Rev. Sunshine Wolfe Identity Development With Children and Youth with Shannon Harper Why Is It So Hard to Get Others in My Community Interested in Racial Justice Work? A Look at the Intercultural Development Inventory with Rev. Renee Ruchotzke Experienced UU Antiracist Get-Together with Paula Cole Jones Identity-Based Group Caucusing Stories of Struggle and Success - 15 congregations share brief TED-style talks about what worked for them and what didn’t!