UNIVERSITY UNITARIAN CHURCH

Justice & Community Service Groups

Our justice teams, program committees, and community service groups live their Faith in Action. They work together to understand and take action on issues that are affecting the oppressed and marginalized in our region.  Email Morgan Sherwood, our Congregational Engagement Coordinator, to ask about any of the groups mentioned below.


Social Justice Steering Committee

The Social Justice Steering Committee (SJSC) supports and guides the church’s various social justice ministries. SJSC serves as a sounding board to the the Rev. Victoria Poling, and attends to congregational interests and broader community developments related to social justice. SJSC creates space for justice group leaders to learn and share ideas with each other, and may help to catalyze new efforts when an urgent call to action arises.

Meetings: The Social Justice Steering Committee is not open for drop-in. For more information, contact the UUC office.

Acting for Racial Justice

As individuals of faith, we find meaning in learning more about systemic causes of racism and seek to understand our places in our racist society, both historically and in the present moment. As a group, we are moved to bear witness in our community, to stand in solidarity with communities of color as they work for change, and to be anti-racist agents in our interactions with the people and institutions in our lives. Our goals are fourfold: to educate UUC members, friends, and allies about racism; recognize and act upon the intersectionality between race and other social justice issues; support the local Black Lives Matter movement; and respond rapidly to racial incidents or other events calling for our witness. We believe there is power in understanding the intersection between race and other social justice movements. We hope to explore and strengthen the connections between our anti-racism work and other social justice initiatives at UUC.

Meetings: 1st Sundays from 12:30-3:00 pm in the UUC Conference Room.


Leaders: Betty Williams and Debbie Maranville

Climate Action Team

The Climate Action Team’s mission is to seek reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. In the spirit of the second UUC principle – justice, equity and compassion in human relations – the team advocates policies to begin to redress injustices already set in motion by past and present emissions. 

Meetings: 2nd Sundays from 12:30-1:30 pm in the Emerson Room.


Leader: Jane Howard

Pink Haven Coalition

As many of you know, our trans and gender expansive Beloveds are under attack and being criminalized in many US states right now. This is so serious that they fit the criteria to be designated as internally displaced people (IDPs) by the United Nations. The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) are partnering directly with frontline trans-led organizing to create networks of safety and direct support for Beloveds who need to relocate, access healthcare across state lines, or stay as safe as possible where they are. This network has come to be known as the Pink Haven Coalition. Come join us!

Meetings: Contact the UUC office for more information.

Homelessness Ministries

UUC members and friends interested in learning about, building relationships around, and advocating for justice and services for the unhoused and housing insecure. Communities of interest include Tent City 3, SHARE/WHEEL, Facing Homelessness, Lake City Partners Ending Homelessness, and Teen Feed. We partner with Congregation Beth Shalom, the Faith Action Network, and the Church Council of Greater Seattle.

Meetings: We host monthly sandwich making for Lake City Partners, cook meals for Teen Feed, and volunteer at the Oaks Shelter. Contact a group leader or the church office for information about how to volunteer.


Leaders: Pam Smith Mentz and Judy Oerkvitz

UU the Vote

UU the Vote is a nonpartisan civic engagement initiative focused on strengthening democracy, ensuring free and fair elections, particularly for the currently and historically disenfranchised, in support of a more just world in which all voices are heard.  With our UU Values as our guide, we organize on the state and local levels, often through partner organizations, and in collaboration with other members and congregations across the UUA. The work is ongoing - we hope you will join us. For more about the national context, read more at uuthevote.org

Meetings: Contact the UUC office for more information.


Leaders: Betty Williams and Meta Thayer

UU's for Justice in the Middle East

To work within the Unitarian Universalist community to educate and mobilize individuals, congregations and denominational leaders to recognize and counter inequality and injustice in Palestine-Israel and to support our allies in the global justice and anti-oppression movements.



Meetings: Contact the UUC office for more information.


Leaders: Emily Joseph and Walter Hatch