Greetings on this unusually balmy September day in Missouri. A new church year has just begun, and at my congregation in Columbia, we have many new members and guests. With heartbreaking news assaulting us every day, it’s easy to understand a revived need for spiritual sustenance and community.
As people with all sorts of bodyminds enter your building, join your Zoom, or show up at your rally for the first time, I’m grateful to offer you this reflection from recently elected UUA Co-Moderator, Bill Young:
“I recently became the UUA’s Co-Moderator, along with Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson. Before that, one of my UU involvements was the EqUUal Access leadership circle and board of directors for a long time. That experience was one of the most important to me in helping me learn many things, especially about what well-practiced accessibility includes and how deep and resistant ableism can be.
During the 1990s and 2000s, prior to my involvement with EqUUal Access, I was a member of the Unitarian Society of Hartford (CT) alongside Carolyn Cartland. The EqUUal Access annual sermon contest is named in honor of Carolyn. Carolyn was a dedicated congregation member and leader, an advocate for accessibility and disability justice within the congregation, and a disability justice organizer across Connecticut. She was my mentor and how I became involved with EqUUal Access.
Disability inclusion and accessibility are essential in Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations and communities because they embody the core principles of justice, equity, and compassion. The UU faith affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and that affirmation is incomplete without intentional efforts to welcome and support individuals with disabilities. Inclusion ensures that everyone—regardless of physical, sensory, cognitive, or mental health differences—can participate fully in the spiritual, social, and leadership life of the congregation.
Accessibility extends beyond ramps and large-print hymnals; it means removing barriers—physical, attitudinal, and systemic—that can prevent individuals with disabilities from engaging in worship, community events, and leadership roles. By prioritizing accessibility, UU congregations demonstrate that their commitment to radical hospitality is not just theoretical, but lived in practice. This approach fosters a culture of belonging, where diverse experiences are valued and celebrated, strengthening the spiritual community as a whole.
Moreover, disability inclusion challenges ableism and promotes social justice. It encourages congregations to examine their assumptions, language, and practices, ensuring that all people are treated with respect and empathy. When UU congregations make accessibility a priority, they send a powerful message to both members and the wider community: everyone is welcome and everyone has gifts to share. This not only enriches the congregation but also models a vision of inclusivity for society at large.
I am heartened that so many UU congregations and communities are prioritizing this work, and there is still much to do.”
– Bill Young (he/him) UUA Co-Moderator
For many congregations, putting love at the center means prioritizing this work, and, for others, it’s taking those first critical steps to learn how. Thank you for your work to make your UU space inclusive and accessible to all. Please reach out with questions and keep reading to find out more about the Carolyn Cartland sermon contest!
With Gratitude,
Gretchen
EQUUAL ACCESS CAROLYN CARTLAND SERMON AWARD CONTEST
Image Description: The EqUUal Access logo with “EqUUal Access” in pink and maroon colors, a gray equal sign, and pink and maroon open doors.
The EqUUal Access Carolyn Cartland Sermon Award Contest is accepting sermons on disability-related themes and topics.
The entry deadline is May 1, 2026.
A cash prize of $500 will be awarded and presented as the online annual celebration!
ELIGIBILITY
- The sermon must be an original work on a disability theme or topic
- The sermon must be preached between May 1 and April 30 of the current contest year.
- Entries (sermon text and entry cover information) must be submitted before midnight on May 1st.
- This sermon contest is open to all lay or religious professional Unitarian Universalists.
CONSENT: In entering the contest, the author grants permission for EqUUal Access to publicly post and publicize their sermon text, name, and photo. Authors retain copyright to their work.