Our goal has always been to improve the lives of others in our immediate community, and to make a small dent in what at times have seemed like impenetrable barriers to social justice in our world.
In pursuit of those goals, we have adopted local families whose children needed school supplies, clothes, and holiday and birthday gifts. We have made the homes of citizens of Saratoga County safer, warmer, and dryer through our work with Rebuilding Together. We have taken up collections for disaster victims, held bake sales and bottle drives, donated tons of clothing and linens and furniture to benefit the Backstretch workers in the racing industry, served and delivered food to the needy, and even shepherded an Afghani girl through a perilous childhood in her war-torn country.
We have also taken rigid and unrelenting positions on social issues such as the death penalty, women’s reproductive rights, marriage equality, and war. Sometimes our objective seemed impossible, even absurd, such as in the buildup to the war in Iraq when our small band could hardly be heard over the roar of nationalism that existed in 2003.
But we never lost sight of our mission, never lost hope, and we now find ourselves in the unusual and delightful position of having contributed in some small part to actual legislative and judicial triumphs. Our work toward the abolition of the death penalty was not in vain, for today the death penalty is not a reality in New York State, and has been all but forgotten as a political issue. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, while hardly ending, may someday be conducted without American soldiers.
But of course what is most fulfilling to those of us who have worked for social justice is our triumph with Marriage Equality. Unitarian Universalists everywhere can celebrate that the efforts of the UUA’s Standing on the Side of Love advocacy campaign helped move the dream of marriage equality to the law of the land in New York State. Those of you who worked with the Social Justice Committee of this church on Marriage Equality can take great pride in your efforts: You signed letters, contacted your representatives, lobbied legislators at their offices in Albany—take the credit! Together we have made a difference in the social structure of this state, and New York and its citizens are now models of leadership for every state in the union.
The work of justice continues—and we hope you will join us, whether it be on the Social Justice Committee, Green Sanctuary, or simply take part in one of the many activities, projects, fund drives, and events where we can stand witness to justice, stand firm in our faith, and stand on the side of love.
