Members of the congregation were invited, in person and then via online opportunities, to suggest justice priority areas throughout October and early November. In November, members were then invited in person to vote for their top three priorities, and throughout November and December, there were opportunities to vote online from the list of over 21 priority areas.

The results!

Voting Rights & Reproductive Rights tied for first place, and Climate Justice received the next highest number of votes. These areas will be where we focus internal and community-facing effort through education, action, and expanding resources. We hope to become community leaders in this work.

The above are our areas of focus within this specific context:  Core to our identity as a congregation is the fact that we are a Welcoming Congregation, affirming the worth and dignity of every person, which includes our LGBQA+, intersex & trans beloveds whose safety and civil rights we are fully committed to and as an 8th Principle Congregation, which means we understand that efforts to root out oppression and racism in ourselves, our congregation, and in the world around us is ongoing and foundational to our purpose. We strive for collective liberation! It is also worth noting that UU Asheville has also been certified as a Green Sanctuary congregation, confirming our ongoing commitment in the journey toward a just and abundantly healthy future for all living beings. This means that we will continue with full programs, ongoing education and meaningful actions to live into our commitments to these core congregational values.

There are other ongoing efforts and work toward justice being done by beloveds at UU Asheville, and this work will continue. Every member and friend is encouraged to participate in the work that can change the world; it is core to our Unitarian Universalist faith to love and serve justice. This time of reflection and feedback allows your Ministers and lay leaders to better understand where the energy and interest of the larger congregational community is right now, so we can focus our leadership and resources more effectively, and hopefully have higher participation and wider impact as we work toward collective liberation.

Rev. Audette and Rev. Claudia will host “Curious Conversations” at noon, Jan 25, in Sandburg Hall (bring a bagged lunch) to discuss Justice Ministry at UU Asheville and your questions and wonderings about the priorities. There will also be a 7PM Zoom conversation that evening. Contact Rev. Claudia for the Zoom link. Libertad y Amor!