A central aspect of Unitarian Universalism is to restore balance to our community and the world. This translates to a firm commitment to social justice action, which traces back to our values. Because every person is sacred and there is an interdependent web of all existence, we cannot turn away from injustice.

Our justice work is more than just learning and sharing information. We aim to transform the world — and ourselves in the process. Social justice is woven throughout all of our programs, from religious education to worship to events. You are invited to join in this mission. Transform yourself, as you transform the world. Visit our Volunteer Page for current social justice (and general FUSIT) volunteer opportunities and check out our Social Justice Activities below.

Social Justice Activities

Side with Love and Shared Plate
Each Sunday in January, we are collecting food and personal items for young people supported by the Village at Ithaca and unhoused youth staying at the Village House. Needed items: socks appropriate for children age 6- 20, toothbrushes and toothpaste, cereal bars, raisins and dried fruit, peanut butter in plastic jars, dry boxed mac n cheese, ramen noodles.

Information about upcoming social justice events can be found below. See the Weekly Announce email or contact office@uuithaca.org for Zoom links.

Upcoming Events

UUs of Color
Monday, January 5 at 6 pm
We invite people of color (having African, Latinx, Asian, Arab, Middle Eastern, Native American, Pacific Islander identities) to gather with us. Our purpose is to commune with one another, amplify our voices, and promote diversity in our UU community. Activities may include having meals together, welcoming new POC into the congregation, planning a service, collaborating with other groups at (or beyond) FUSIT, and more. We meet the first Monday of the month at 6:00 pm and around meaningful events. Please contact poc@uuithaca.org for more information.

The Environmental Interest Circle
Wednesday, January 7 at 7pm
The Environmental Interest Circle meets to discuss/exchange ideas and actions that further sustainable living for each one of us, for the FUSIT congregation, and for our congregations’ role in the greater community. We will meet on January 7 at 7 pm in the Parlor and over Zoom, and continue to meet every first Wednesday of the month.

Democracy Circle
Sunday, January 11 at noon in the Sophia Lyon Fahs room
We will be looking at the future direction of the group and how to sustain our efforts to share ideas and companionship, engage with one another and educate ourselves and each other during this turbulent time in our history. All are welcome. 

Braver Angels Workshop
Sunday, January 25, 2026 
The FUSIT Democracy Circle will sponsor a workshop with Braver Angels on Sunday, January 25, from noon to 2:00 pm.  Braver Angels is a cross-partisan, volunteer-led movement to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic.  https://Braverangels.org
The goals of this workshop are:
1. To gain a greater understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically;
2. To develop better skills for listening in a way that the other person feels heard; and
3. To develop better skills for sharing your perspective in a way that the other person might hear, even if they disagree.
The workshop is free, and refreshments will be provided.  

Please register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/skills-for-disagreeing-better-standard-registration-1977728779017?aff=oddtdtcreator&discount=BRAVER   

Contact office@uuithaca.org with questions.

LGBTQ+ Group
Meets Monthly
This Small Group is especially for FUSIT’s LGBTQ+ community and meets monthly. All who identify on the LGBTQ+ continuum are welcome. Come enjoy this opportunity for fellowship and community within our larger FUSIT community, in a safe, confidential and nurturing environment. Please reach out to dre@uuithaca.org for more information.

Action Teams

Action Teams are formed by a person or group of people who identify a social justice topic on which they want to focus. These teams are somewhat dynamic and are created and discontinued based on current events and issues. The following is a description of the current or recent action teams:

• Environmental Interests Circle: meets monthly to support one another in developing sustainable habits and to provide information and resources to learn about how to live in a more environmentally sustainable way. Below are some resources we use to guide our monthly discussion. Check the Upcoming Events Page for further information.
  • Sustainable Finger Lakes offers news articles related to sustainability and environmental conservation, lists sustainability-minded organizations for networking in a shared region, and offers resources and tips for an environmentally-conscious future.
  •  Tenant Resources Document– Ithaca’s Electrification Program
    This document helps tenants understand how an energy-efficient upgrade, made by their landlord, would benefit them.  
  • Electrification Document
    A release from Cornell Cooperative Extension, this details what electrification means, how it works, and lists the benefits of “electrifying.”
• Health Care Reform: Working towards changing New York State and national laws to provide healthcare for all people. This group is currently tracking privatization as well as medical debt issues. Contact Judy Jones jwj2@cornell.edu.
• Your action team here!