Dear Friend, 

It’s Pride month again—or at least it is in much of the U.S. It’s a joyful season and a perfect time of year to revel in the warmth and exuberant beauty of LGBTQ+ community. 

I love Pride and will celebrate this month as I always do, though this year is also a time of grief and anger. The beauty remains, but it also feels like the world has gone mad.

Every day we see the overwhelming harm caused by attacks on LGBTQ+ people, especially trans folks. Every day we witness a distressing and harmful politic of dehumanization in the U.S. and across the globe.

It’s not okay.

I’m grateful to say that with the support of Unitarian Universalists like you, the UUA has expanded support for LGBTQ+ organizing and ministry—an initiative we call UPLIFT. 

UPLIFT has two components, UPLIFT Action, which is focused on organizing, and UPLIFT ministries, which offers direct ministry to LGBTQ+ UUs. We are positioned to engage in this faithful work due to the organizing capacity we have built over the last six years under the leadership of the Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, our outgoing UUA President, dedicated staff, and volunteers.

Rev. Susan has asked that those who wish to honor her presidency with a gift to the UUA direct their gift to support UPLIFT. I can think of no better way to honor her service than to advance the work of equity and justice!

As always, thank you for all the ways you support Unitarian Universalism and the UUA. This Pride month, may you and yours be well, safe, and happy.

Recent news from President Susan Frederick-Gray

• Editorial from Susan Frederick-Gray: Letting the Moment Carry Us Forward (UU World)
• Susan Frederick-Gray: Selected Sermons and Writings (UU World)
• Leadership in Unprecedented Times: Reflections on the transformational presidency of Susan Frederick-Gray (UU World)

Last Chance for Matching Gifts: Donate by June 15

June is Pride Month: Resources for UUs

To quote the Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray in the colorful graphic below, this Pride month we pray especially for and with all our trans and nonbinary+ kids and adults, their families, and the communities supporting them. 

Remember to check out The Uplift Collective on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook for UUs preaching queer and trans liberation. 

Side with Love recorded a webinar that you may find helpful: Preparing for Pride: A Webinar for Religious Professionals, an informal gathering of religious professionals from across the United States. Side with Love describes,

"We spent time sharing observations about the national context and emerging patterns among our congregations, offering some resources for congregations as you make plans for security and crisis response, and engaging one another’s experiences, wisdom, and questions to both foster connection and shape future resource and training creation at the UUA. We were grateful for all those who gathered in real time and are happy to share the video and collected links and resources offered."

A Farewell Message from Susan Frederick-Gray

As her time as UUA President winds down, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray shares a message of appreciation for the work we’ve done together and excitement for what’s to come. 

In this moment of great challenge and cultural change in our world, Rev. Frederick-Gray reminds us that Unitarian Universalist values matter. This is an opportunity to be bold and unwavering in living and leading in love. We have done amazing things, and we will continue. With excitement for our next president, Rev. Frederick-Gray is confident in how new leadership will guide us through these continuingly fraught times

General Assembly 2023: Next Week in Pittsburgh, PA

General Assembly begins next week, on June 21. If you're attending in person, please visit the UUA booth in the Exhibit Hall! 

If you won't be in Pittsburgh, remember you can still watch events online. See below for times and dates. Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Co-Moderators Meg Riley and Charles Du Mond preside over the general sessions in which the business of the Association is conducted.​ All events listed here include ASL interpretation. 

Schedule for Live-Streamed Events

Wednesday, June 21
General Session I, 1 hour, 30 minutes
7:30 p.m. EDT / 6:30 p.m. CDT / 5:30 p.m. MDT / 4:30 p.m. PDT

Thursday, June 22
General Session II & Presidential Candidates Forum, 3 hours
2:30 p.m. EDT / 1:30 p.m. CDT / 12:30 p.m. MDT / 11:30 a.m. PDT

Service of the Living Tradition: "Toward Our Metamorphosis into Who Knows What", 2 hours
7:30 p.m. EDT / 6:30 p.m. CDT / 5:30 p.m. MDT / 4:30 p.m. PDT

Friday, June 23
General Session III, 3 hours
2:30 p.m. EDT / 1:30 p.m. CDT / 12:30 p.m. MDT / 11:30 a.m. PDT

Synergy Bridging Worship, 1 hour, 15 minutes
7:30 p.m. EDT / 6:30 p.m. CDT / 5:30 p.m. MDT / 4:30 p.m. PDT

Saturday, June 24
General Session IV, 3 hours
2:30 p.m. EDT / 1:30 p.m. CDT / 12:30 p.m. MDT / 11:30 a.m. PDT

Sunday, June 25
Sunday Worship: Ever Willing: Becoming the People Our World Needs, 1 hour, 30 minutes
11:00 a.m. EDT / 10:00 a.m. CDT / 9:00 a.m. MDT / 8:00 a.m. PDT

General Session V, 2 hours
2:30 p.m. EDT / 1:30 p.m. CDT / 12:30 p.m. MDT / 11:30 a.m. PDT

Ways to Support Campaigns on Faithify

First UU@UN Spring Seminar in Minnesota

This past April, the UU Office at the UN hosted their Intergenerational Spring Seminar in Minneapolis, MN, a change from previous events held in New York, NY. Check out the photo below at left for the happy group.

And below right, hear from members of the youth group at Cedar Lane UU Church in Bethesda, who attended this year's seminar. For their youth service in May they offered their reflections on the experience and incorporated elements of the theme.

Upcoming Events in June

Green Sanctuary Teams: Climate Justice Brainstorm

Wednesday, June 14 | 7 pm - 8:30 pm ET / 4 pm - 5:30 pm PT

Hosted by Rachel Myslivy. We know we need to focus on climate justice, but where do we start? For many Green Sanctuary Teams, the Justice campaign is the most challenging and also the one with the most room for growth and collaboration.  Bring your questions and ideas and join the conversation! Register here to attend. 

Get Green to Go Green: How to Get Energy Efficiency Grants for Congregations (co-sponsored event)

Thursday, June 15 | 5 pm - 6:15 pm ET / 2 pm - 3:15 pm PT

Hosted by Rachel Myslivy. Commercial and residential buildings are responsible for 13% of carbon emissions in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Energy recently announced a first-of-its-kind investment to fund energy-efficiency improvements in the nonprofit sector which includes houses of worship. The Renew America's Nonprofits program will provide $50 million dollars for efficiency projects, reducing carbon emissions and lowering utilities costs, allowing critical funds to be redirected to mission-focused work. On June 15, Daniel Bresette, Environmental and Energy Study Institute President, will educate us about how to take advantage of the grant and the grant process. Co-sponsored by Side With Love. Read about the event. Register here. 

UPLIFT Trans and Non-Binary Monthly Gathering

Tuesday, June 27 | 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT

Join the UPLIFT monthly gatherings for trans, nonbinary, and other not-entirely-or-at-all-cis UUs. Join us to connect with other trans/nonbinary+ UUs and co-create support and community across our faith. All you need to bring is yourself (and other trans/nonbinary friends, if you’d like)! These gatherings focus on getting to know each other and on sharing our collective dreams, ideas, and talents for this space. Expansive definitions of trans, nonbinary, and UU all apply. Non-UUs are welcome if they are OK with being in a UU-focused community. If you are interested in this space, and you aren’t (entirely or at all) cisgender, it’s a space for you. To attend the next gathering and join the community, register today. Children and youth attendees, please see the instructions for how to register and attend.

Seasons of Giving is the monthly e-newsletter from the UUA's Stewardship and Development Office. Questions can be directed to Suzanne Murray at development@uua.org or (617) 948-4392.

Check UUA.org and UUWorld.org, as well as UUA regional websites, for the latest updates.