First UU Organizations

Social Justice Committee

The Social Justice Committee (SJC) initiates and coordinates social justice activities and projects both within the church and with partners in the larger community, and provides opportunities for our members to live out their commitment to the values and principles of our faith.  Our committee works to put our congregation’s faith into action. We represent people with a passion in any or all areas of social justice, and act to advocate for the marginalized and oppressed.  We respond to concerns brought by congregation members, Minister(s), Board of Trustees, and partner organizations.  We serve as a resource to other congregational committees to encourage aspects of social justice in their work.  

Our areas of focus are largely determined by the interests and needs of our members and congregation,  and partner organizations.  Committee members volunteer to follow an issue or partner organization, or the committee may recommend that a Team of individuals form to organize around an area of focus. These Teams or sub-groups may hold separate meetings, recruit members, and plan events outside of SJC, but continue to participate and communicate with the Social Justice Committee.  

Areas of focus include:  Democracy, Justice in the Middle East, Inclusion work, Immigration Justice,  Racial Justice,  LGBTQ+ Justice, and Reproductive Justice.  

The  SJC responds to calls for action, and sign-on letters or petitions,  brought forward by members of our committee, congregation, Board of Trustees, or by outside organizations, according to established protocol and  procedure. 

Other administrative functions of the SJC include over-sight of the congregation’s Share the Plate (STP) program and Courageous Love Award program. At the local, state, and national levels, the SJC works with several partner organizations and coalitions.  Our budget includes a commitment to the regular financial support of local partner COPS/Metro, Texas UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM), and the national UU Service Committee (UUSC).  In addition, we raise funds to support the work of state legislative organizations such as Texas Impact and Free Battered Texas Women (FBTW).  We organize contributions and participation in local annual events such the Planned Parenthood of South Texas Luncheon and the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner.  We form groups of congregants to participate in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day March, Gay Pride activities, and at Haven for Hope and San Antonio Food Bank.  We also organize congregants to participate in other events promoting democracy, peace, and justice, including non-violent protests and marches.  Please review “Before You Go to a Protest” if you are considering attending such an event.  

For more information about the Social Justice Committee, contact socialjustice@uusat.org.

Partner Organizations

COPS/Metro Alliance

Communities Organized for Public Service (COPS)/Metro Alliance is a broad-based interfaith community organization dedicated to organizing local citizens and working on a range of issues of concern to San Antonio families. 

Texas Unitarian Universalist Justice Ministry (TXUUJM)

TXUUJM is a statewide justice ministry that raises the voice of Unitarian Universalist values in the public arena and seeks to have those values enacted into legislation and promulgated in public policy. Guided by UU values and principles, TXUUJM educates and organizes member congregations, and partners with sympathetic organizations, in order to advocate effectively for just public policies. 

Texas Impact 

Texas Impact is a state organization that equips faith leaders and their congregations with the information, opportunities, and outreach tools to educate their communities and engage with lawmakers on pressing public policy issues. We help people live out their faith in the public square, moving the faith community from charity to justice.  

Free Battered Texas Women (FBTW)

FBTW is an education and advocacy group whose mission is to stop arrests of female abuse survivors; to promote clemency; and to support incarcerated/formerly incarcerated survivors, ensuring they live whole, productive lives. 

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)

 UUSC supports programs and policies that empower women, defend the rights of children, and support the struggles of indigenous people and oppressed racial and ethnic groups through advocacy, education, and partnerships with grassroots organizations. 

Side With Love 

Side With Love is the Organizing Strategy Team of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We harness the power of love to confront and transform systems of oppression and build a world where all people can thrive. Through organizing, education, and mobilization, we equip Unitarian Universalists and aligned communities to take spiritually grounded, justice-oriented action. 

Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)

The UUA is the central organization for the Unitarian Universalist (UU) religious movement in the United States. The UUA holds an annual
General Assembly and provides information about current social justice issue priorities and Actions of Immediate Witness (AIW) as well as links to social justice statements and other social justice resources.