In response to the posted deadline for Delegates for Responsive Resolution of Tuesday, June 16, 4:00 pm ET, and in reply to the 2026 Executive Report, where Carey McDonald noted, “At last year’s GA, we told you about the ways your UUA is showing up powerfully for your values in the public square and in the courts…That work has become deeper and broader, and led to powerful coalition relationships that make us stronger. …approaching our work through coalition is so essential.”
We affirm that the greatest midwife of justice is relationship. We ask the congregations and our association to reaffirm our demonstrated commitment to organizing in community, prioritizing relationships, and centering the most impacted.
Let us show up in authentic and grounded solidarity on July 13th at Delaney Hall in Newark, NJ.
Thank you so much for this! Like many of you, I answered the call and went to Minneapolis after ICE murdered Renee Good. Like many of you, I knelt on the concrete and prayed in -40 degree weather. I received donated wool socks (I don’t own any, coming from Florida like I do) and ate potluck meals prepared by hard-working organizers. I was trained on doing neighborhood watches - was issued a whistle to blow if/when we saw ICE hassling anyone.
The day before yesterday, I took a bus down to the Everglades Detention Camp, which my governor has cruelly named “Alligator Alcatraz.” I met a man who had been released after seven months of unjust imprisonment - he was only released because his daughter worked tirelessly to let authorities know they had detained a US citizen.
Both of these events were organized carefully, relationally and with great discernment. The Florida presence was blessed by local Indigenous leaders (other protests, organized without making relationships with Indigenous leaders, have not been blessed). HOW the events came about is as important as specific actions we took.
I was asked to speak at the event on Sunday - one of the things I stressed to the crowd was the importance of following the leadership of formerly detained people and their families, along with the Indigenous leaders who stood alongside us.
I have to say though - I’ve gotten this wrong much more than I’ve gotten it right. I’m a 60 year old white man, and I often rush in to help or do the right thing, especially when it seems so urgent to do so, without first pausing to see what other work is already being done by folks who are NOT white. I’m guessing I’ll make this mistake again before I’m done, and I hope I’ll have the grace to admit I’m wrong when I do. I depend on you, beloveds in this denomination, to “call me in” and hold me accountable when I make these sorts of mistakes. I’ll try my best not to be defensive when you call me in, and I thank you in advance for helping me, for helping us do this essential work together.
I look forward to voting for this Responsive Resolution that gives our denominational leaders, along with me and others here in Florida, the support we need to close these facilities and make our country safe again. Love and blessings, Rev. Ben.
That resource is being edited a bit but we’ll make sure to share it widely when it’s back online. The signup link that Rev. Robin mentioned is here: finj.info/Delaney