Social justice opportunities empower members to live their values through meaningful action in the wider community. Grounded in Unitarian Universalist commitments to equity and compassion, these efforts address issues like climate justice, racial equity, and human rights. They are vital to the congregation’s mission, transforming shared beliefs into tangible impact and collective care.
News & Updates
See important news and upcoming dates for finding your people, place, and purpose here.
UU The Vote Postcarding Is Back!
UU the Vote Postcarding returns for the upcoming elections! Put your UU values into action! In partnership with The Center for Common Good, we’re writing postcards for the national midterm elections to encourage voter registration and turnout. Stop by the UU the Vote table after services any Sunday through mid-October to pick up a packet—everything you need is included. Can’t make it to services? Contact Ellen Taylor at elltaylor41@aol.com to arrange another pickup time.
Arlington Interfaith Vigil against ICE cruelty | Saturday, Sep 19, | Optional procession Alcova Heights Park | 2:00-4:00pm
This interfaith public ritual will lift up the memory of those whose lives have been taken unjustly by our own country–a matter of sorrow and shame, and of supreme importance to call out in this national emergency. Together we will honor the over 50 people who have died by the hands of ICE or in ICE custody since 2025 along with the over 15,000 people taken in by ICE in Virginia, 76% having no criminal record.
We will gather to hear from faith voices proclaiming the importance of justice and welcome, and we will remember the names of those we have lost. An optional procession will then go through the neighborhood carrying signs with the names and faces of those who have died. Signs will be provided. Come to join in community and act in public for what is right.
Reproductive Justice gearing up!
The Repro Justice group has opportunities to be involved coming up and we’ll be TABLING this Sunday after the service with info about the Constitutional Amendment and upcoming actions.
A limited number of FREE YARD SIGNS are available to help raise awareness of the Reproductive Freedom Constitutional Amendment that will be on the ballot in Nov. If you are a supporter and live on a well-traveled street, email Marj at marj.signer@gmail.com for details.
On 9/19 there is another POSITIVE PRESENCE event to show up in support of patients, doctors, and staff at a local abortion clinic. For details, you can register at: https://reprorisingva.org/positivepresence/
Palestine-Israel: To What Are We Called in This Moment? An Evening with Mark Braverman
September 29 | 7:00pm
5:00 p.m. Potluck Dinner for UUs who wish to connect with other activists and learn more about the movement within our UU faith for justice in Palestine. In Fellowship Hall.
View the flyer here
A Jewish American with deep family roots in the Middle East, Mark Braverman is a founder of Kairos USA. His midlife encounter with the Palestinian people and with Jewish Israeli peace activists brought about a radical transformation in his spiritual and life path. In his talk and Q&A, he will address strategies to counter the silencing, end the genocide in Gaza, and uphold equality and human rights in the United States. Mark’s lecture is sponsored by UUs for Justice in the Middle East.
Topics of the talk and Q&A will include: The genocide of Gaza — Israel as a settler colonial project. Confronting not only U.S complicity in Israel’s human rights crimes, but our own settler-colonial DNA as revealed in the current U.S. political crisis. Acknowledging the church’s silence now and historic entanglement with colonialism. Countering the weaponization of antisemitism to stifle open discourse. Creating a new Christian-Jewish interfaith agenda in the age of Gaza. Mark’s lecture is sponsored by UUs for Justice in the Middle East.
Expanded Bagged Meals Volunteer Opportunities
We are growing the number of UUCA volunteer opportunities with PathForward to ensure plenty of space for everyone who wants to participate. Starting this September, we are doubling the number of bagged meals we make each month for people experiencing homelessness. We are also expanding the number of volunteer slots available on the 2nd and last Sundays of the month. As always, volunteers of all ages are welcome! Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BA8AA22A1F4CF8-uuca
We also encourage UUCA volunteers to explore other volunteer opportunities available at PathForward’s Homeless Services Center. You can see available opportunities here: https://pfva.org/volunteer/individual-volunteering/
Share the Plate Recipients for 2026-27 have been announced! View the complete list here.
Ongoing Opportunities
See important news and upcoming dates for finding your people, place, and purpose here.
Help those experiencing homelessness
In response to an outpouring of volunteer interest in the Bagged Meals program, UUCA now has FOUR monthly opportunities for congregants of all ages (kids, adults, families, covenant groups, you name it!) to help individuals experiencing homelessness in our community:
1) Assemble bagged meals used by PathForward’s community outreach teams to meet the needs of their clients. Volunteer slots are available to purchase supplies, make sandwiches, pack the meals, and deliver them to the PathForward Homeless Services Center.
2) Serve hot meals to clients at the Homeless Services Center.
Opportunities are available on the second and last Sundays of every month.You can sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BA8AA22A1F4CF8-uuca . Contact uucabaggedmeals@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like to be added to the volunteer mailing list.
UUCA Death Cafe
Death Cafes are group-led discussion about the end of our lives. They are not grief support groups or counseling session, instead they help people around the world confront their mortality with acceptance, compassion, and curiosity. This new group is open to UUCA adult congregants, and you are welcome to bring a friend. Space is limited to 20 people. Please bring a sweet or savory treat to share. Email Kristen P. Patterson at deathcafe@sacredjourneydeathdoula.com with any questions. Meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month, from 6:30-8:00pm. Register here