About the UU Legislative Ministry

Current Focus Issues
Civic Engagement
UULM Action Network
Board of Trustees
Clergy and Staff
Sacramento Office
Congregational Covenant of Collaboration
Calendar
Donations & Sponsors
Put a Link to Our Web Site
Privacy Policy

Unitarian Universalism: a Faith with a Spiritual Center and a Civic Circumference.

UULM California is a statewide justice ministry that serves to empower the moral voice of Unitarian Universalist values in the public arena. Guided by Unitarian Universalist principles, the Ministry seeks to develop the skills of civic engagement that we may educate, organize, and advocate for public policies that:

• uphold the worth and dignity of every person
• further justice, equity, and compassion in human relations
• ensure use of the democratic process
• protect religious freedom
• promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence

Charitable activity is a familiar and important part of a religious life. However, when poverty, environmental degradation, inequitable access to health care, and higher education are part of the structures of society, rather than unforeseen exceptions, then we know that charity is not enough. Our faith calls us to change policies and structures that inhibit human development, harm the environment, and destroy communities. We are called to educate and organize for justice.

We seek to build a statewide education and advocacy network that:

• is anchored in our UU faith, and informed by its history and principles
• shares information and policy expertise, particularly
  from member UUs
• can inspire and mobilize coordinated action through a network of mutual support and accountability
• trains new leadership, with special attention to involvement of youth and young adults
• is celebratory, sustainable, and fun
• raises the visibility of Unitarian Universalism and its values to policy makers and the larger community

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UULM’s 2007-2008 Issue Priorities

Freedom to Marry for Same-Sex Couples

Unitarian Universalist clergy have been officiating at the religious weddings of same-sex couples in our congregations for over 30 years. Unitarian Universalists have a vital role to play in educating and organizing to achieve full civil marriage equality for same-sex couples. UULM-CA is actively organizing Freedom to Marry Task Forces in our local congregations, and is part of the Let California Ring public education campaign. UULM-CA also organized the interfaith amicus brief on the consolidated marriag cases now before the CA Supreme Court.

Health Care Reform

UULM-CA is working with a broad coalition to support the Californians for Healthy Kids 100% Campaign, working to assure that every CA child has access to affordable health insurance. UULM-CA is also working with the many UUs who are active in "Health Care for All", championing a comprehensive single payer solution to the health care crisis. UULM-CA organizes educational opportunities through which UUs can learn more about the health care crisis, proposed solutions, and the ethical questions we face.

Global Climate Change & the Impact on Water Justice

Unitarian Universalists respect the interdependent web of Life. Global climate change will have a profound impact on California's water supply, demand, quality, and risk of flooding. We must reduce greenhouse gases, and support conservation, democratic management of water resources, and environmental justice.

Our Guiding Principles for Water Democracy include:

• Water is essential for life, and holds spiritual meaning for many.
• Access to clean water for basic human needs is a fundamental human right and is essential for human health and dignity.
• The health, integrity, and stability of ecosystems must be respected and preserved.
• Water is a public trust and part of the global commons; it should not be treated as a commodity.
• Public control and regulatory oversight are necessary to ensure the public's interest is protected.
• All people, including those in low-income and marginalized communities, must have meaningful input into water management decisions in their own communities.
• Water conservation, responsible use, and stewardship should be a top priority for all.

Choosing Priorities

Priorities for education, action, and reflection are chosen every two years. The Board chooses priorities after consideration of the issue surveys from California Unitarian Universalists, interviews of clergy and lay leaders, and with consideration of both Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) priorities as well as opportunities for interfaith collaboration.

You are invited to fill out our issues survey. Also, see our Listening Campaign page.

Civic Engagement

In order to promote use of the democratic process in our society, the UU Legislative Ministry has established a Virtual UU Meeting House to provide an on-line community for California UUs to share insights on complex issues of legislation, ethics, and faith. To see an archive of material from previous elections go to http://www.uulmca.org/programs/forums.html

UULM Action Network California

The UU Legislative Ministry has organized and incorporated a separate non-profit, the UU Legislative Ministry Action Network, California, 501 (c) 4 to which donations are not tax deductible. The UULM Action Network will focus on advocating for legislation that is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles and values, and will coordinate UU action in Sacramento. 

UULM-CA Board of Trustees

The members of the UU Legislative Ministry Board are drawn from UU clergy and lay leaders from both northern and southern California. Board Roster.

Clergy & Staff

Executive Director
Rev. Lindi Ramsden ( biography)
lramsden@uulmca.org
(916)441-0018 ext 202

Sharon Stone
Operations Manager
ssstone@uulmca.org
(916)441-0018 ext 200

Beverly Boido
Office Assistant
volunteer@uulmca.org
(916)441-0018 ext 201

Web Mistress
(and Low Carbon Challenge contact)
Rachel Morris
webmistress@uulmca.org

Sacramento Office
UU Legislative Ministry, CA
717 K Street, #514
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-441-0018
admin@uulmca.org

Congregational Covenant of Collaboration

We welcome the formal affiliation of California UU congregations. A first step is to invite a speaker from the UU Legislative Ministry to lead a worship service, workshop, or meet with your Board of Trustees. Please read the congregational covenant information for further details about opportunities and expectations for collaboration.

Calendar

Please consult our calendar for information about upcoming activities and meetings.

Donations and Sponsors  

UU Legislative Ministry and the UULM Action Network depend on your support. On our secure website you can sign up to give a monthly donation, or make a one-time gift. Or, you are welcome to send a donation to our office at 717 K St, #514, Sacramento, CA 95814.

Donate to the UU Legislative Ministry, CA (tax deductible)

Donate to the UULM Action Network (not tax-deductible)

Thanks to the hundreds of generous individual donors and to our institutional sponsors:

• The San Francisco Foundation
• Unitarian Universalist Veatch Program at Shelter Rock
• Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
• The William and Alice Hinckley Fund
• Pacific Central District of the UUA
• Pacific Southwest District of the UUA
• Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association, Pacific Central District
• Society for Community Work - First UU Society of San Francisco

Link Up!

If you would like to create a link from your congregation’s web site to ours, feel free to use one of the icons below, and link to our URL.

UULM-CA Privacy Policy

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