Social Justice Council Programs at UUCB

SOCIAL JUSTICE IS FRONT AND CENTER AT UUCB

Social Justice News

From support of immigrant families to forums and speakers on anti-racism, climate justice, housing and more, we coordinate with local groups, acting to place our UU values in public spaces around issues of racism, immigrant rights, housing, education, voting rights, health and the environment.

  • We run a Social Justice Tableevery Sunday in the Atrium and during special events to inform people about what’s happening and opportunities for participation.
  • We bring social justice consciousness into all UUCB programs and services within our church life.  We involve the parents and youth from our Family Ministry, in food and clothing drives, the tiny houses for youth, and other projects.
  • We represent social justice at congregational events as well as organize the congregation to participate in rallies, marches, conferences, political meetings, and the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade in El Cerrito.
  • We develop and support Sponsored Projects focusing on timely social justice issues.

Sponsored Projects

Climate Justice Committee (CJC)meets the 4th Monday of each month on Zoom from 5-6:30 p.m. to provide accurate information and inspiration for action to address related environmental and social justice issues as well as climate. UUCB participates in the UUA’s Green Sanctuary program by pursuing actions to transform our congregation, mitigate climate impacts, and build resiliency in our communities, all while addressing social justice goals. Contact Sheila Tarbet at socialjustice@uucb.org.

The Literature, Film, Drama and Music Contingent (LFDMC)

Meets quarterly on Zoom to read and discuss books, attend or create relevant plays, watch films, and share personal moments of awareness of unconscious bias. This is a courageous group that talks openly about race, culture, genderism and oppression and its solutions. Contact Christina Creveling at socialjustice@uucb.org.

The People of Color Caucus (POCC)

Meets monthly on Zoom to provide a safe space for racial and ethnic minority members to name, heal and reconcile past and current personal and group racial wounds. Members, who come from and reflect the richness of the cultural, racial and ethnic traditions of people of color, act to build partnerships with the congregation and wider community. Contact Helen Tinsley-Jones at socialjustice@uucb.org.

Working to Overcome White Supremacy (WOWS)

Meets the fourth Sunday of each month on Zoom from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and is a group at UUCB whose open dialogues increase awareness of the “preference for whiteness” and the systemic nature of racism in society.  Everyone is welcome. Contact Julia Rogers or Julie Winkelstein at socialjustice@uucb.org.

The Honoring Indigenous Peoples Group (HIP)

Meets monthly to engage in deep learning of Indigenous peoples’ history, acknowledging the harms, including genocide and land theft, done by settler colonialism and to take action. We plan and offer educational and cultural experiences to the congregation and wider community, provide consultation to the minister and congregation, and partner with Indigenous communities and local groups supporting those communities.  Contact Helen Tinsley-Jones at honoringindigenous@uucb.org.

This project gives UUCB congregants opportunities to learn about the issues facing immigrants as well as opportunities to participate in supporting immigrants, from passing out “know your rights” information to attending forums and vigils to taking part in rapid response teams. In May 2025, UUCB strengthened its commitment to immigrants, adopting a new sanctuary pledge outlining our commitments to our immigrant neighbors.

Accompaniment Team – Sanctuary Church. As a Sanctuary Church and in our work aiding immigrant families, this congregation supports the Accompaniment Team that provides legal, financial, housing and educational support to families. Contact Anita Mermel at socialjustice@uucb.org.

The Pride Committee is active in the church, holding social events, discussion and support groups, and joining in letter writing, protests, and political action with the rest of our Social Justice Council, supported at the national level by the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Questions? Want to join us? Please contact Marsha. 

Good Neighbor (Sharing Our Collection Plate)

  • Each month we share our offerings from the Sunday worship services with local non-profit organizations serving communities in need in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. The Social Justice Council nominates (from suggestions given by the congregation) and votes annually which organizations will receive these much-needed funds. Every year, approximately $20,000 has been donated by the church through the Good Neighborprogram to more than 30 organizations. Contact Natalie Campbell at socialjustice@uucb.org.

Friends of Developing Indigenous Resources (DIR)

  • A UUCB group, UUCB Friends of DIR(FoDIR) supports the work of an NGO working in two bustees (slums) near Chandigarh, Punjab State, India. Contact Roberta Shaw at socialjustice@uucb.org.

Supporting the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP)

  • On the fourth Tuesday of each month, volunteers from our church prepare and serve lunch at the Souper Center located at 165 22nd Street in Richmond. To volunteer or for more information about this lunch program, please contact Gillian Smith.
  • For more ways to get involved with GRIP throughout the year, from clothing drives to Harmony walk, click here.

Supporting the Read Aloud Program

  • Read to two kindergarteners, 1stor 2nd graders once a week for the school year. The more readers, the more students participate. Readers and students love this time together!  Contact Judy Sam at socialjustice@uucb.org.

Transylvanian Partner Church Committee

  • UUCB is one of many UU congregations with a long-established relationship with a Transylvanian church. We make pilgrimages to our partner church village every few years, and help support their students.  Contact Anne Greenwood or Stephanie Ann Blytheat socialjustice@uucb.org.

The World Peace Committee

  • The members of the World Peace Committee, stand for peace by promoting human rights for all people, rejecting violence as a solution for conflict, and demanding justice as a necessary condition for peace among peoples and nations. ContactDon Klose or Roberta Shaw or Dean Flint at socialjustice@uucb.org.

Discover how together we can support your passion for Social Justice!

Visit our Social Justice Table and sign up for our listservs. Or send an email to socialjustice@uucb.org and let us know if you wish to be on our email list to receive announcements of social justice actions, meeting agendas, and our Zoom meeting links.

Please join us at our monthly Social Justice Council meeting every second Wednesday at 7pm Pacific on ZOOM. We hold quarterly in person potluck meetings – September, January, and April. All are welcome!  

What We Believe 

At this extraordinary time in our nation’s history, we are called to affirm our profound commitment to the fundamental principles of justice, equity and compassion, to truth and core values of American society.

In the face of looming threats to immigrants, Americans of the Islamic faith, African Americans, Americans of the Jewish faith, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, all peoples of color, and the LGBTQIA+ community and the rise of hate speech, harassment and hate crimes, we affirm our belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

In opposition to any steps to undermine the right of every citizen to vote or to turn back advances in access to health care and reproductive rights, we affirm our commitment to justice and compassion in human relations.

We are against actions to weaken or eliminate initiatives to address the threat of climate change – actions that would threaten not only our country but the entire planet. We affirm our unyielding commitment to protect the interdependent web of all existence.

We will oppose any and all unjust government actions to deport, register, discriminate, or despoil. As people of conscience, we declare our commitment to translate our values into action as we stand on the side of love with the most vulnerable among us.

We welcome and invite all to join in this commitment for justice.

The time is now.