Faith in Action News
Updated: Sep 29
"Democracy, safety, and survival are all built the same way: by ordinary people refusing to leave anyone behind."
From Side With Love
 | |
Save the Date! Saturday, December 5, 2026 AI data centers Book bans Unfair redistricting Election protection Gun safety Human rights These were all issues taken up last year under Georgia’s Gold Dome—and UUs were there, fighting for justice. Together. Join us for the 4th Annual UUGALAN Conference, Voices for Justice: Georgia UUs Rise Up, a day of preparation, planning and organizing that will bring together UUs from across Georgia, our congregations, and our strategic partners. Coming Soon: Be ready to register by signing up at the UUGALAN website for contacts. | Mission Unitarian Universalist values dictate that the UU GA Legislative Action Network advocate on behalf of Georgia residents who would include but not be limited to – renters, the medically uninsured, people of color, those who identify in non-binary gender roles, victims of gun violence, immigrants, individuals whose reproductive healthcare rights are threatened, public school students and Georgia citizens who seek to vote without impediment. |
Questions? Contact Mary Lasris at marylasris@gmail.com | |
The Welcoming Congregation Program is part of the Unitarian Universalist commitment to justice and liberation. It calls us to keep widening the circle of belonging, to remain accountable to one another, and to practice a faith grounded in love made real through relationship.
The Welcoming Congregation Program is a volunteer program for congregations that want to take intentional steps to be more welcoming and inclusive of people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Being welcoming and inclusive is a never-ending commitment.
All of you who are is sacred. All of who you are is welcome.
Welcome Congregation Days of Observance – October
LGBT History Month (USA) October
LGBT American history includes significant events and milestones such as the founding of the first gay rights organization in 1924 and the Stonewall Riots in 1969, which sparked the modern LGBTQ rights movement. Key achievements include the removal of homosexuality from the American Psychiatric Association's list of mental disorders in 1973 and the legalization of same-sex marriage in 2015. LGBT History Month was first celebrated in 1994 in October. It was declared a national History month by President Barack Obama in 2009.
More information may be found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_history_in_the_United_States.
National Coming Out Day October 11
National Coming Out Day 2026 is a day of celebration and empowerment for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies. It encourages people to embrace their true selves and live openly, free from fear and discrimination. This day also provides a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals to share their stories and experiences, helping to break down barriers and foster understanding among the broader community.
For more information, see https://www.awarenessdays.com/awareness-days-calendar/national-coming-out-day/ .
Intersex Awareness Day October 26
Intersex Awareness Day is an international observance designated to raise public awareness of intersex people and to highlight the problems they face every day. It's observed every year on October 26.
Intersex is a term applied to people whose biological sex can't be easily determined as female or male due to presence of biological attributes of both sexes or lack of some attributes necessary for identification of one or another sex. It's a congenital condition caused by hormonal, genetic of chromosomal variations. And sometimes it's even a combination of all three variants.
Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intersex_human_rights .
This week: protecting the vote as the Supreme Court clears expanded voter roll checks, pushing back on detention expansion and mass surveillance, and how our congregations can become hubs of climate resilience. Plus: honoring 10 years of Standing Rock, No Kings trainings ahead of Oct 17, and actions you can take with your community. The Update:As people of faith, we believe democracy is a sacred process where all share in the co-creation of our world. Honoring the inherent worth and dignity of all requires us to make sure every voice is heard. Unfortunately, this regime and the Roberts court continue to threaten that sacred process. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily cleared the Trump administration to use an expanded version of the Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE system to check state voter rolls against federal immigration, Social Security, and citizenship data. At the same time, a federal judge dismissed the Department of Justice’s lawsuit seeking Washington state’s complete voter-registration database, including sensitive information such as birth dates and partial Social Security or driver’s-license information. This past week made the stakes in the struggle for a multiracial democracy even clearer. As those in power seek to consolidate authority in the hands of the few and reshape the systems that determine who can participate in our democracy, people across the country are organizing in solidarity to protect our elections and defend the right of every eligible voter to participate. Again and again, history teaches us that democracy is not secured by courts or institutions alone. Pro-democracy victories are made possible by organized people acting together. We will experience victories and setbacks in the courts, but our power has never rested there alone. Right now, one of the most powerful ways we can defend our elections is by building a mass mobilization of voters, election protection volunteers, faith communities, and neighbors prepared to protect access to the ballot and accompany one another through this election season. Democracy is something we practice together. And in this moment, solidarity is how we defend it. Join No Kings for trainings and resources leading up to the Oct 17 National Day of Action.
Watch Side with Love’s Gathering on Solidarity to be inspired and motivated by song, prayer, and UU leaders like Rev. Kellie Kelly (“I had to get to a place where I could open myself up to realize that there isn't scarcity in our liberation.”), Aisha Hauser (“As a Unitarian Universalist, I lean into the affirmation that everyone deserves to thrive, not just survive”), and Rev. Jason Lydon (“Solidarity means trying to run the same risks, and being willing to put ourselves at risk.”) |
 Side With Love The Gathering Throughout history, people of faith and conscience have come together to resist injustice and build a better world. Now, it's our time. October 12 The Gathering: Honoring 10 years of the Standing Rock Movement Register HERE 10 years after the Water Protectors began their encampment at Standing Rock, Joseph McNeil (Dakota) joins us to reflect on energy sovereignty work today, the No Dakota Access Pipeline movement of 10 years ago, and longtime Dakota/Lakota/Nakota values and cultural practices. Rev. Clyde Grubbs (Texas Cherokee) will draw connections with UU involvement and the Doctrine of Discovery. Side With Love's monthly event to strengthen your spirit, make sense of the threats to democracy, and take meaningful action alongside others! Join us live or watch the recording later. See Recordings of past The Gatherings HERE |
 | Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Guest at Your Table Imagining Belonging: Next Door, Across Borders, Worldwide. |
Justice movements grow from—and are sustained by—strong community connections. When human rights and international aid are under attack, we must stand with all our neighbors, locally and globally. UUSC’s Partners put neighboring into practice, demonstrating how community care can transcend borders. This year, grassroots leaders share how they strengthen communities—whether those communities are connected by a local neighborhood or by the global struggle for human rights. GMUUC’s GAYT program this year will begin on Sunday, October 25. During the next month, the Unitarian Universalist Service committee will be our congregation’s shared offering. As an intergenerational outreach, you are encouraged to invite four of UUSC’s Partners to your table and learn from their stories about ways you can be involved in global social justice. GAYT Kits will be available at back of our sanctuary or contact wwewing@gmail.com for more information. Short videos about our Guests may be viewed at: · Alejandro & Martha of Casa Tochan: Radical Neighboring · Yulia Konder of Chiricli: Neighboring beyond Borders · Community Leaders of CAPAS: Welcoming our Neighbors · Widlore Mérancourt of Ayibopost: Uplifting Neighbors Narratives We invite all families and individuals to participate. Place the GAYT Donation Box and Stories on your kitchen or dining room table, to remind you of the many people around the world who are fighting injustice and would benefit from your support. Place money in the box and learn about UUSC’s global partners, Guests at Your Table. | |
 |
 |
 |  |
If you have an announcement you’d like to add to the weekly FiA update,please send to wwewing@gmail.com. | |
| |
