Racial Justice, LGBTQiA, Indigenous & More
Building Beloved Community
The Building Beloved Community Team encourages East Shore congregants to engage in transformational work around anti-racism, anti-oppression, and healing.
We aim to collaborate with other groups at East Shore using a multi-cultural, anti-oppression lens as we all learn about healing, and work to transform our community. Most notably, we work with Welcoming Congregations and Indigenous Connections.
To get involved in any of our Anti-Oppression work, contact Nicole.
Upcoming Events
Join us for one of our upcoming events as we live our values!
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Issaquah
Pride Parade
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Kirkland
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Bellevue
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Issaquah
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Kirkland
Black Lives Matter Flash Stance: Bellevue
Our Initiatives
Black Lives Matter Flash Stances
Inspired by his 2015 trip to Selma, AL to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1965 Selma to Montgomery March, church member Manuel (Manny) Brown felt called to action. He was further inspired when he attended the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly (yearly UU convention) a few months later when our governing body urged UUs across our country to support the Black Lives Matter Movement. Since then, a group of members meets most Sundays all over the eastside to share the message and spark conversations.
Welcoming Congregations
We know that religious spaces haven’t always been welcoming places for all people, especially when it comes to gender and sexuality. We are out to change that. East Shore Unitarian Church renewed their Welcoming Congregations status in 2023.
Welcoming Congregation Program helps us learn how to undo homophobia and transphobia in our hearts and minds, our congregations, and our communities.
The work of welcome is never done. Join us in doing this important work to make all feel welcome.
Indigenous Connections
If you are interested in learning more about indigenous-settler history and the challenges indigenous communities currently face, consider joining a subgroup of the 8th Principle Team. We are currently brainstorming ideas for programs, field trips, speakers, actions, and discussion groups for books and films. We welcome your presence and ideas! For the next several months, we will meet on zoom every other Thursday at 5:30 p.m. to share ideas, resources and reflections.
Resources
Books & Film Recommendations
Here are recommended books and films from our Building Beloved Community Committee with help from our Indigenous Connections and Welcoming Congregations Teams. In this section of our resources you...
Organizations & Programs We Support
Our Building Beloved Community Committee works with several organizations locally and nationally. We recommend several organizations who offer classes and programs great for deepening your...
1997 UUA Resolution
WHEREAS the 1996 General Assembly resolved that all congregations, districts, organizations, and professional and lay leaders participate in a reflection-action process throughout the 1996-97 church...
Informational Websites
Land Grab Universities, A High Country News investigation, How the United States funded Land Grant Universities with expropriated Indigenous land. Native Land Digital, Search your address to find...
Widening the Circle of Concern
Widening the Circle of Concern series of classes offers a summary and discussion of the 2020 blueprint for the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and East Shore to become more anti- racist,...
News & Opinion Pieces
Gathering of the Eagles: Celebrating as Neighbors, Village to Village
The Indigenous Connections Team invites everyone to participate in the Gathering of the Eagles (GOTE) mini canoe journey, through the San Juan Islands on May 16-22 (see schedule below). Phreddie...
ESUC Shows Up for No Kings Rally
Saturday March 28th was No Kings day. It was a day to celebrate the power of community. Across the country, more than 3,000 demonstration events brought people together in a shared moment of civic...
Share the Plate in November: Puyallup Tribe Community Domestic Violence Advocacy Program
Several times during the year, we Share the Plate with organizations and groups outside our walls that we are trying to support. This month, we will share our plate with the Puyallup Tribe...