The focus of our Advocacy & Witness Team energies is driven by congregation members’ particular passions: we help direct attention to a range of local, national, and global issues, and promote opportunities to learn, participate, and contribute. We support and often work in concert with UU Mass Action, a UU-affiliated advocacy organization, to promote systemic change In line with our UU values.
We have been sponsoring a monthly Black Lives Matter vigil since November 2017; many community members regularly join our congregation for a 15-minute silent vigil in front of our church building. The vigil is held at noon on the first Sunday of the month; in the summer months, we move to Tuesdays at 6PM.
An Indigenous Peoples’ Task Force came under our A&W umbrella during 2022, following the Town of Wellesley’s vote to honor Indigenous Peoples on what was formerly Columbus Day. The congregation voted unanimously in June 2022 to adopt a Land Acknowledgment to recognize the ongoing erasure of Indigenous Peoples’ experience and culture into the present. The task force has promoted greater understanding of Indigenous concerns and contributions by leading worship services and community reads, publicizing educational opportunities, and sponsoring Sunday plate collections for Indigenous-led initiatives.
The Advocacy and Witness Team sponsors an ongoing educational series, “Just Desserts”: we invite members, friends, and the community at large to join us in person for a presentation and facilitated discussion focused on a pressing social justice issue—along with dessert! More information can be found HERE. We have also supported congregation members who have taken leadership to address climate justice issues, to advocate for Medical Aid in Dying legislation, and to get out the vote.
Please join us! Together we can make a meaningful difference.