What Does Our Faith Tell Us About Roe v. Wade

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Both virtual and in person services are followed by coffee hour.

Story for All Ages

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Our service this morning is a response and a call to action in the aftermath of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. As Unitarian Universalists, we are committed to reproductive rights and to defend our bodily autonomy. Whether we identify as a straight and cisgender women, non-binary, transgender, or none of the above, any suppression of our reproductive rights is an attack on our humanity, our dignity, and self determination.

Today’s  service is a collaboration among members of our staff, the Women’s Perspective Team, the 8th Principle Team, Our Whole Lives, the Welcoming Congregation team, and our Minister, Rev. María Cristina.

We are aware that the topic of this service might trigger painful feeling for many of us. With this in mind, after the service, we will offer an opportunity to meet with members of our Lay Pastoral Ministry team and with Rev. Maria Cristina, both in person and online.

We are grateful for your presence and your continued commitment to reproductive rights. Let us now lift our voices to Holly Near’s “We Are Gentle Angry People” led by Eric.

On the day of the Supreme Court decision, Unitarian Universalists from around the country were in Portland Oregon for our General Assembly. That evening, many made their way to a protest in Portland.

There, UUA president Susan Frederick Gray spoke. We will listen to it in a moment, but I want to share a few of her words.

“Reproductive justice, reproductive care is healthcare. It is a fundamental human right.

It is about liberation, it is about agency, it is about bodily autonomy.

When we come together, we will win!”

We close with this reading by Rev. Karen G. Johnston

These bodies. These bodies our homes. These bodies our being.

These bodies without which, we can neither have inherent worth, nor recognize it in others. These bodies, without which, we cannot experience the interdependent web of all existence, for it is through our bodies that we are a part of the selfsame web.

Let us pledge ourselves, the whole of ourselves, to the great collective liberation of all bodies.

Let us pledge ourselves, the whole of ourselves, to do the all that we can, to protect against gendered violence against all bodies, known and unknown, near and far, stranger or friend.

Let us pledge ourselves, the whole of ourselves, to inhabit these bodies; to honor these bodies; to celebrate these bodies; to defend these bodies.

So be it. See to it. Amen.

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