Election support for UU communities

By Central East Region of the UUA

Friends, this week is an uncertain one, and much is at stake. As we approach Election Day and beyond, how are you and your people sustaining your bodies, your spirits, your values, and your relationships to community?

We in the Central East Region have been hearing stories from so many communities grounding themselves in the values and relationships that drive our fight for justice. Whether you are holding fierce care and protection for one another and for your wider communities; mobilizing on issues of climate protection, democracy, de-criminalization, or more; and/or providing spiritual nourishment--thank you.

In times like these, any action may feel small, or the situation we're facing so large it's difficult to decide what to do. That's when moving with purpose, grounded in our values and connected in community, is all the more important. When we take some time to prepare to join with our strategic partners, and when we ground with our spiritual communities, the work we are doing is amplified. We can be prepared to move with power and resilience.

Below, we offer three practices of preparation and sustaining for this week.

Spiritual grounding. We hope you can take some moments throughout the upcoming days to return to the spiritual practices you hold within you. Are there songs you turn to to remind you of your voice, your power, the love you have for your communities? Is it time to go outside and touch the living earth, as UUA chaplains the Rev. Dr. JJ Flag and the Rev. Victoria Safford offer us?

If you could use some new practices, we amplify this pre-election grounding resource packet, created and freely offered by therapist and UU minister Rev. Dr. Laura Solomon.

Anchoring in community. We invite you to join us in Forward Together: Anchoring in Community Post Election, a virtual series designed to offer space for reflection, spiritual grounding, and practical organizing in response to the evolving political landscape.

Forward Together: Anchoring in Community Post Election, three groups of people coming together to text, serve food, and write letters. Date information in article.

Join Side With Love, UUA Congregational Life, and UUA senior leadership for this special three-series event following the 2024 Election. Each event is at 8pm ET / 7pm CT / 6pm MT / 5pm PT. Registering at the link will register you for all three events. Please note: our second event in the series currently does not have a date; it will be scheduled for the day the election is called. We will send reminders and updates!

  • Session One - 11/6: After Election Day: Take a moment for spiritual grounding during this critical time. Join us to explore the resources UUA has prepared to support community resilience, receive insights from Side With Love on the evolving political landscape, and connect with your Regional Life staff for localized support.
  • Session Two - TBD (When the Election is Called): Meaning-Making & Immediate Action: Gather with UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, Side With Love, and UUA Regional Life staff for a time of reflection and response. Together, we'll assess congregational needs, explore immediate action steps from Side With Love, and find pastoral care and sustenance for the journey ahead.
  • Session Three - 11/19: The Way Forward: As we transition from uncertainty to resilience, join us to hear from Side With Love field staff about the movement landscape and congregational responses. Regional Life staff will host breakout sessions for each region to discuss next steps and strengthen plans moving forward.

Planning for response. Making your plans now to respond to what may lie ahead is an important part of moving through this election week. As part of our commitment to building resilient, safe, and thriving communities, we encourage you to visit the UU Community Resilience Hub: a comprehensive resource offering tools, training, and support to help protect our communities and democracy. The hub contains everything from conflict de-escalation to leveraging spiritual and physical assets during critical times.

We will be updating this space often to bring you the latest information and resources to equip our communities to meet the challenges and opportunities of this moment.

This video (YouTube) offers concrete practices of preparations for UU communities right now.

Community Resilience Message transcript in English_0 (TXT)

Friends, your Unitarian Universalist Association and Central East Region are here with you. We are stronger and more resilient together. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need support.