A Black Lives Matter UU Theology
Universalists and Unitarians have a long history of involvement in racial justice and abolition work—and a long history of apathy and even derision to accompany our faith’s best moments. Kenny Wiley believes that nothing is guaranteed, and yet much is possible from Unitarian Universalism in the movement for black lives.
Sunday, May 1 is Mid-America Sunday, and we’ll be joined by guest worship leaders Kenny Wiley and Lena K. Gardner.
About this week’s Worship Leaders
Kenny Wiley, a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, joins us from Denver, Colorado, where he works as the Director of Faith Formation at Prairie UU Church. He works for UU World magazine as a senior editor, and is on the core leadership team for Black Lives Matter 5280, the Denver BLM chapter, as well as the leadership team for the Black Lives of UU organizing collective.
Lena K. Gardner, a member of First Universalist Church, is one of the cofounders of the Black Lives Matter Minneapolis chapter, works for the UU Church of the Larger Fellowship and is a part of the founding leaders of the Black Lives of Unitarian Universalist Organizing Collective. She lives in Northeast Minneapolis with her cat Merlin and loves the Boundary Waters.
Offering: Racial Justice Work at First U (give here)
This week our offering goes to the myriad ways we are working toward racial justice within our walls. This offering will support our continued racial justice intensive training with Heather Hackman, the POC group and Marie Michael, films and discussion, and our work in faith in action.
Order of Service: available here
Music: First Universalist Choir and Children’s Choir
May Worship Theme: Doorways
Alexander Graham Bell once said, “When one door closes, another opens.” Although it may sound a bit pollyannaish, there is a deep truth in this saying. Things come to an end. Experiments fail. Initiatives run their course. The truth of the matter is that life does not stop its unfolding. A door is always closing. A door is always opening. In this season of new life, graduations, and coming of age, we mark and celebrate doorways.
Listen to the Wisdom Story, Reflection, and Sermon
