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AUGUST 2026

Knowledge Stewardship as Community Care: Strengthening Justice Work Through Shared Wisdom

Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) exists to “advance equitable national policies and actions aligned with UU values” and to “equip UUs for effective advocacy rooted in justice, compassion, and the worth and dignity of all people.” That mission depends on more than passion or policy expertise — it depends on continuity, shared wisdom, and the ability of communities to learn from experience and carry that learning forward.

Knowledge stewardship is one of the quiet, powerful ways UUs strengthen that mission. It ensures that advocacy efforts, partnerships, and congregational justice ministries do not lose momentum when people transition, circumstances shift, or institutional memory thins. It helps communities stay resilient, grounded, and connected to the wisdom that makes justice work sustainable.

In this way, knowledge stewardship is not separate from UUSJ’s mission — it is one of the ways we live it. It is a practice of care that supports dignity, interdependence, and the long arc of justice.

Knowledge Stewardship Is Justice Work

When we talk about justice, we often talk about courage, advocacy, and moral clarity. But justice also depends on something quieter: the ability of communities to remember.

Your congregation already holds enormous wisdom — stories, traditions, lived experience, ministry practices, and the tacit knowledge that keeps things running — perhaps a legacy of learning from faith-based organizing in local coalitions. 

Churches thrive when the wisdom of many — not just a few — is shared, remembered, and passed on. The same is true for our community partners.

Knowledge stewardship is how we honor that wisdom and make it usable.

Eight Practices That Strengthen Community Resilience (continue reading)

 

Kim Rebecca-Murray

 

Events

A Movement Ten Years in the Making

For a decade, the Unitarian Universalists for Justice (UUSJ) has been guided by a steady hand, a generous spirit, and an unshakeable commitment to the beloved community. Under Pablo's leadership, UUSJ has grown from a small faith-rooted advocacy organization, a fellowship of social justice advocates, into a courageous voice for justice on Capitol Hill and across the country, our Federal Ministry—a growing movement for UU federal engagement.

Attend one of two sessions, a kick-off (8/10) or a capstone (8/20). We gather now — supporters, congregants, activists, and community leaders — to celebrate what 10 years of principled leadership have built and to empower the next 10 years of transformative work.

Join us to say and hear nice things about Pablo. Share some appreciative things, perhaps some humorous things; we hope for some ribbing, but not a full or formal roast.

Faith In Public Life/We the People 

Monday, August 17
8:00 p.m. ET • 7:00 p.m. CT • 6:00 p.m. MT • 5:00 p.m. PT • 4:00 p.m. AT • 2:00 p.m. HT
RSVP (Online)

We’re living in a moment that calls for moral clarity—and imagination. We, the People: A Multi-faith Call to Consciousness is an invitation to help shape a shared vision for the world we do not yet have—one where all humanity and all creation can thrive. This project brings people of faith together to name this moment and give voice to what comes next. We the People

HR.1 (OBBBA) The Long Game: Impacts for our Communities and Prospects for Repeal
In conjunction with our No Frills Action Hour

Wednesday, August 19
7:00 p.m. ET • 6:00 p.m. CT • 5:00 p.m. MT • 4:00 p.m. PT • 2:00 p.m. AT • noon HT
RSVP (Online)

Our communities have been suffering from H.R.1 (the One Big Beautiful Bill Act), yet many of the changes authorized were scheduled to come into effect after the Midterms. We are entering a period when the harms will start to compound and become acute with implementation. But it’s also a season to ramp up our accountability engagement. 

Join us as we host Americans for Tax Fairness for a briefing on H.R.1, addressing how it has impacted our communities thus far and will continue to do so. We will also discuss what it will take to unspool the policies, claw back the funds, and repeal the legislation over the next 2-3 governing cycles. This briefing is offered in preparation for the Covenant For Our Future, Week of Action, August 23 - 30, on the need to repeal H.R.1.

Advisory: Those who linger after the briefing can continue for our No-Frills action hour (RSVP) to leave messages for their legislators urging repeal of H.R.1.

August UUSJ Board Meeting

Our Trustees will meet on Friday, August 21, 2026; for more information, email [email protected]

 

Kickoff Call: Covenant for Our Future, Week of Action

Monday, August 24
8:00 p.m. ET • 7:00 p.m. CT • 6:00 p.m. MT • 5:00 p.m. PT • 4:00 p.m. AT • 2:00 p.m. HT
RSVP (Online)

You are invited to join our Covenant For Our Future (CFOF) Week of Action (WOA) Kickoff Call, where we will gather in shared purpose, align our strategy, and energize our collective commitment for the week of August 23 - 30. Review the toolkit for action ideas.

We look forward to collaborating during the Week of Action—and in the work that follows to repeal H.R.1 (OBBBA). Your leadership, voice, and conviction are shaping a future rooted in justice and shared purpose. This moment belongs to all of us.

The covenant is not just a campaign—it is a call to live our deepest values out loud. Join us in that work; together we are more impactful. Invigorate your spirit for the Week of Action.

Early Bird RSVP
Time for Climate Hawks to Update Your Midterms Plans

Wednesday, September 9
8:00 p.m. ET • 7:00 p.m. CT • 6:00 p.m. MT • 5:00 p.m. PT • 4:00 p.m. AT • 2:00 p.m. HT
RSVP (Online)

Join us as we host Climate Hawks Vote for an off-the-record briefing on the dynamics climate-minded voters should know, as we head into the midterms. This will be a C3-friendly, issue-focused discussion designed to help you understand how climate topics are manifesting in the current cycle, among noteworthy races. We are not endorsing candidates, but we will discuss which candidates are taking climate policy seriously.

Featured Actions

 
Sound off, markup expected
The Senate Must Fix SNAP in the Farm Bill 2026

The Senate Agriculture Committee markup for the 2026 Farm Bill—officially titled Farm Bill 2.0 (The Agricultural Act of 2026)—is scheduled for Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Remind the Senate to reject the harmful House Farm Bill proposal and work toward solutions that truly invest in resilient agriculture, healthy communities, and a thriving future for Americans.

Of paramount import, at minimum, the Senate should extend state providers the 2-year delay given to select states, for the cost shift brought on by H.R. 1; otherwise, the new rules and formula will risk withdrawal from SNAP or a full pause of benefits in too many states.

 

SAVE Act Defense Again, 3rd Time Might be the Charm

The federal government should not get in the way of our ability to vote. While the SAVE Act bills show little movement in the Senate, certain proponents of the Act have renewed efforts to attach it to "must-pass" legislation. Ultra-conservatives in Congress are trying, once again, to force it into law. The SAVE Act remains a mechanism to impose unconstitutional restrictions that limit and restrict the right to vote.

Once again, we ask you to tell Congress to oppose the SAVE Act, no matter which legislative vehicle is used or how its text appears in any particular legislation that is moving.

Stop Abusive Immigration Enforcement and Detention

We need to urge Congress to cut back on the huge funding increases for ICE and CBP and to strengthen its oversight of enforcement activities and detention facilities.

In addition to the well-known names, Johan, Lorenzo, Alex, and Renee, at least 50 people have died in ICE custody during Trump’s second term. Currently there are more than 50,000 people in ICE detention, including pregnant women and children. Reports from detention centers like Dilley and Delaney document abusive treatment and poor conditions. A recent report issued jointly by Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union described people being detained in horrific conditions, and fed inedible meals.

Protect Afghan Allies with TPS

Support a bill that extends Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghanistan through July 1, 2029. Take action with our friend in the work, #Afghan Evac.

Unitarian Universalists have supported Afgan Allies, arrivals and refugees since the fall of Kabul, in various ways. UUSJ has been engaged on the issues and disappointed by the indifference show to the Afghan plight by Congress, most egregiously exemplified by the failure to pass an adjustment for those populations.

In 2025, the Department of Homeland Security terminated TPS for Afghanistan, taking away legal protection from thousands of Afghans in the U.S, many of whom supported American troops, diplomats, and journalists during the war. 

Reps. Jason Crow (D-C), Don Bacon (R-NE), Sam Liccardo (D-CA), and Maria Salazar (R-FL), have introduced H.R. 9899, the Afghanistan TPS Act of 2026, to address this situation.

Issue News

Green Issue Coverage

 

A Landscape Transformed

The Brennan Center for Justice asks “How will we remember this Supreme Court term?” See the analysis, Supreme Court Chips Away at Checks and Balance, and The Wrong Moment to Reduce Judicial Power, plus their consideration of Minnesota: How to Push Back.

For similar considerations see:

 

Detainees Are Dying And Suffering In Detention

A recent report, Dying in Detention: Rising Deaths in an Expanding US Immigration Detention System, issued jointly by Human Rights Watch and the American Civil Liberties Union, described people being denied necessary medical care, forced to live in filthy conditions, and fed inedible meals.

For similar considerations see:

Economic And Tax Policy Clippings

UUSJ is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
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