Social Justice

Social justice teams are active in research, education, and activism. Specific areas of focus include:

  • Immigration justice: Our work on immigration justice provides assistance to those detained in the Berks Detention Center and works to shut down the center in coalition with Shut Down Berks Coalition. We participate in monthly vigils and meetings with partnering organizations.
  • LGBTQ justice: The Welcoming Congregation Committee focuses on meeting the goals for annual renewal of our status as a Welcoming Congregation.
  • Statewide advocacy: Pennsylvania UUs work together through UU Justice PA. The mission of UU Justice PA is: Pursuing justice by voting, advocating and making just public policies.
  • Anti-racism, anti-oppression: UU Berks participates in anti-racism trainings and other anti-oppression programs, including:
    • Listening Cafe – monthly, hosted by our ADORE team (A Dialogue on Race & Ethnicity) where members can learn and discuss events and explore hard topics in a safe space. Contact g.adore@uuberks.org.
    • Black Lives Matter – We publicly support the movement with a banner on our church building.
    • Scholarships – We offer scholarships for members and friends to participate in transformative racial justice programs. Contact treasurer@uuberks.org to request a scholarship before registering.
    • Jubilee III Anti-Racism Training June 11-13, 2021
      • Learn Together About Systemic Racism in dynamic presentations, skillfully-guided discussions, videos, reflections, and small group exercises. $170 per participant, additional members of the same household receive 50% discount. Register here.
    • Beloved Conversations Virtual! Sept 15-Dec.15, 2021
      • Fall 2021 session of Beloved Conversations Virtual: Within (registration open from June 23-August 31, 2021). This Within Program focuses on the internal work that each of us needs to do as we engage in explorations of race and work for racial justice. This work is different for White folks and for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) and will be done entirely in race-based caucuses. Future programs are called Among and Beyond. Please visit bcvirtual.meadville.edu to learn details about these transformative programs.

“I do not pretend to understand the moral universe; the arc is a long one, my eye reaches but little ways. And from what I see, I am sure it bends towards justice.”

~ Theodore Parker, Unitarian minister