First Church Walks the Talk

The First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego (aka First Church) has focused on social justice for more than a century. Our Social Justice Ministry Team, with nine “Action Groups,” liaisons with two internal groups and three denominational affiliates.

Our faith is founded on the belief that all human beings have dignity, and it is the cornerstone of our on-going efforts to ensure our world becomes more just and equitable for all people. In the broader scope, we work with the UU-United Nations Office, our California and national UU Legislative Ministry, our UU Service Committee and a partner church in the path of the Gulf Coast hurricanes.

In January 2006, the Reverend Dr. Arvid Straube, our Lead Minister, laid the foundation for forming the Faith Leaders for Peace. In March, more than 50 clergy held their first action, calling for the end of the unjust war in Iraq, followed by a silent peace vigil to the Hall of Nations in Balboa Park. It was an awesome interfaith experience for everyone in attendance. Our Peace and Democracy Action Group provides monthly programs addressing a wide-range of topics related to promoting world peace and justice, including true democracy throughout the United States.

Action Groups collaborate closely with the San Diego Organizing Project, the Interfaith Coalition for Worker Justice, the Interfaith Shelter Network, the San Diego Coalition for Fair Banking and California/San Diego area Campaign Finance Reform Coalitions. Working with community-based groups builds a stronger voice and power base to affect such issues as healthcare, affordable housing, living wage, education, homelessness, economic justice and campaign reform. Three additional church groups continue a long history of working internally and in the legislative arenas for reproductive rights, to end racism and oppression and to obtain equal rights for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Internally, three social justice groups focus on the environment, voluntary simplicity and starting the work toward our congregation’s Green Sanctuary Program certification.

At First Church we “walk the talk” in matters of social justice.

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