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UU Church of Sarasota
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Welcome! The UU Church of Sarasota is proud to offer ways the church and our members can be involved in dismantling the systems and the culture of white supremacy, racism, and anti-semitism. The table below is broadly organized into “educational opportunities” and “action opportunities”. It is further organized with three columns across the top for individuals, groups and for the church (as an institution). Check out the links below to see what is available or what we are doing or check out our other Racial Justice pages. Our Racial Justice Coordinating Team is ready to answer any questions about the program or take comments on improvements we can make.
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Individuals |
Groups |
Church / UUA |
Awakening |
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Taking Action |
OPPORTUNITIES FOR SELF AWAKENING– There are so many resources of becoming more educated or "woke" to racial justice and systemic racism. The Church has created a graduated education program of books and videos that one can go through at there own pace. YOU CAN FIND THAT PROGRAM HERE. If you are seeking educational resources about racial justice you can find a rich list of recommended books, articles, movies, videos, podcasts and workshops for gaining a deeper understanding of our racial history, racism, white supremacy and racial justice. HERE IS A BROAD LIST OF RACIAL JUSTICE RESOURCES
ANTI-RACIST ACTIONS YOU CAN PURSUE - Being an Anti-Racist means supporting groups that are actively looking to create equity in our communities of color. You can find local opportunities to support people of color, local organizations needing donations, minority-owned businesses needing support, local racial justice advocacy groups that one can join, political action groups focused on racial justice and national racial justice advocacy organizations. Examples of local opportunities for volunteering are shown below. A more complete list can be found HERE.
Volunteer Opportunity |
Contact |
Notes |
All Faith’s Food Bank |
food relief |
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Children First |
children support |
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Mothers-Helping-Mothers |
mother support |
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Multicultural Health Institute |
Healthcare/School support |
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Second Chance- Last Opportunity |
at risk teens, families, individuals |
LEARN WITH OTHERS - The Racial Justice Coordinating Team continually is offering or promoting educational forums in house and in our community on the topic of racial justice. Our Racial Justice Reading Program is currently the only in-house program we offer dedicated to understanding topics of racial justice. Many of the existing church groups (Forum, Cinema Talk, Chalice, other Groups) also will offer educational forums on racial justice topics. Use the links below to learn about group learning opportunities.
Racial Justice Action Page Racial Justice Reading Program Forum Cinema Talk Chalice Groups
Racial Justice Action Page Racial Justice Reading Program Forum Cinema Talk Chalice Groups
ANTI-RACIST GROUP ACTIONS- Group action opportunities have traditionally been organized by the Social Justice Committee or one of its subcommittees, i.e. the Green Team, the Advocacy Team, or the Racial Justice Coordinating Team. Going forward, it is likely these groups will continue to be the primary organizers of community racial justice initiatives on behalf of the Church. An “ad hoc” group may form to organize anti-oppression activities, but coordination through the Social Justice Committee is recommended to have the full support of the church. Examples of Social Justice organized anti-racist activities are shown here. Check the weekly newsletter, the Contact, for upcoming events.
RACIAL JUSTICE FROM THE PULPIT- The Racial Justice Coordinating Team recognizes the potential power of the pulpit for inspiring and motivating members and friends to confront racism. Recent educational and inspirational sermons and publications by our ministers, staff and UUA over the recent months are shown below. Some are available for review via the links in the table.
Sermons and Other Presentations |
Lead |
Notes |
Rev Brock Leach |
Sermon- Nov 29, 2020 |
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Rev B. Friend-Jones |
Sermon- Nov 1, 2020 |
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Rev B. Friend-Jones |
Sermon- Aug 2, 2020 |
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Race and Reality in America |
Rev B. Friend-Jones |
8 week zoom class |
2020 UUA General Assembly Sessions |
various |
Multiple sessions in GA- June 2020 |
Catherine Bonner |
Sermon, July 26, 2020 |
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Rev B. Friend-Jones |
The Contact, article July 24, 2020 |
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Luz Corcuera |
Sermon, July 19, 2020 |
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Rev. Beth Miller |
The Contact, article- July 3, 2020 |
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Rev. Beth Miller |
Sermon- June 14, 2020 |
ANTI-RACIST ACTIONS BY THE BOARD-This document lists actions by the Church Board of Trustees and Executive Committee that pertain to racial justice for our community and nation. Such actions include publishing or endorsing position statements related to racism and anti-Semitism, and adopting goals related to advancing racial justice,
Board Initiative or Action |
Date |
Notes |
Petition to the Sarasota County School Board |
10/20/2020 |
As part of the Manasota Anti-racism Coalition |
Support of the Boxer Institute Iniative |
10/20/20 |
Initiative to create memorial to those lynched in Manatee/Sarasota |
Adoption of the 8th Principle (Evaluation) |
09/15/20 |
Evaluation for potential adoption March 2021 |
Newtown AA Museum Partnership |
08/18/20 |
Signed on as an official partner |
Board Support for “Campaign Zero” |
08/18/20 |
Advocacy Group initiative for police reform |
Black Lives Matter Support Statement |
6/16/20 |
Black Lives Banner posting approved |
Anti-Racism Collation Membership |
6/7/20 |
MARC Anti-Racism Ad: Herald Tribune |
Manasota Anti-Racism Collation (MARC) |
1/21/20 |
Joined Coalition and assigned reps |
Formation of the UUCS Advocacy Group |
1/21/20 |
Appointed 3 members as local advocates |