How Will You Act, Speak, and Advocate?

Dear Beloved Community,

As we step into the new year, we are called to reflect deeply on what it means to live into the promise of pluralism. In Unitarian Universalism, we affirm that diversity strengthens the fabric of our shared existence. This belief takes on heightened urgency in a time when democracy itself feels precarious.

The recent election of Donald Trump as President has stirred a storm of emotions—fear, anger, and uncertainty among them. Many of us worry about the potential erosion of civil rights, environmental protections, and the foundational ideals of equity and justice. While these concerns are valid, they also remind us of our shared responsibility to remain steadfast in our commitment to a pluralistic vision of democracy—one that honors every voice, every identity, and every story.

In January, we are launching Celebrating Diversity: Bringing Our Wholeness, a month-long series that uplifts the fullness of our humanity—our theologies, families, races, disabilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. This series invites us to lean into the sacred work of building communities where everyone belongs and where every person is not just recognized but cherished.

In times of uncertainty, love becomes our greatest source of courage. Love as pluralism asks us to hold space for diverse perspectives, to resist forces that seek to divide us, and to embody the radical hospitality that our faith calls us to practice. It is not enough to hope for change; we must be the change, showing up in solidarity for those most at risk in this shifting political landscape.

So I ask: How will you show up for pluralism this year? How will you act, speak, and advocate in ways that protect the rights and dignity of all? Together, we must embody the values we proclaim—because democracy thrives when pluralism is its heartbeat, and love is its guiding principle.

May we face this year with resilience, resolve, and an unshakable belief in our collective power to bend the moral arc toward justice.

In faith and solidarity,

AJ
Pastor AJ Blackwood
Executive Director
Bridges: A Unitarian Universalist Network