“(Peace is) not a matter
of the absence of tension,
but the presence of justice.”
— The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

About the PSD Social Justice Program Area

Peace and justice are common themes in the work of Unitarian Universalists who are involved in social action. The UU Social Justice Network brings together individuals and congregations who are dedicated to making a difference in their congregation, community or world.

Mission

While honoring social service, move congregations from service-only work to effecting long-term systemic change.

Vision

Every PSD Congregation has access to information, training, partnership, and assistance for social change organizing.

Taking Action

We look for effective ways to debate and act. We know these times demand the voice of justice in our congregations, the broader society and the world. UU Social Justice Network offers opportunity for taking action by:

• Organizing District and community projects
• Encouraging local congregations to share their social justice experiences with others
• Teaching organizing principles so that new groups may be effective in facilitating positive personal and social change.

While it is true that a single person, working one on one, can have an important impact in the arena of social justice work, the empowerment of group action raises more voices to more ears, so that those who might not act alone will be willing to join with others to create change. The UU Social Justice Network provides resources to congregations so that they can take effective steps to start the change process.

Social Justice Fund

The Chalice Lighters program in Prairie Star District has inaugurated a Social Justice Fund that awards grants of up to $1000 “for use in integrating social justice work into the active life” of the congregation. See the Chalice Lighters pages for more information about how to contribute to this fund or to apply for grants from it.

Contact information

For more information, or if your congregations wishes to associate with the PSD UU Social Justice Network:

Contact Nancy Heege, District Executive, nheege [at] psduua [dot] org or 612-230-3273

or your state representative:

• Iowa: Al Hays, Cedar Falls
• Kansas/Missouri: Sara Banner, Salina
• Central Minnesota: Ralph Wyman, Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance
• Northern Minnesota: Sue Dailey, Duluth
• North Dakota: Vacancy
• Nebraska: D Moritz, Lincoln
• South Dakota: Mary Jo Farrington, Rapid City

Social Justice Brochure

The District publishes a tri-fold Social Justice brochure, with information similar to this web page, handy for handing out. It is posted here as a PDF file (105 KB) so that it can be printed in a consistent format. You will need Acrobat Reader or similar PDF reader program to view or print the PDF file; see About PDF Files for more details.