UU Global AIDS Coalition

Last week I participated in my fourth Conference Call for the Unitarian Universalist Global AIDS Coalition (UUGAC) board. I participate in a lot of conference calls (in fact the UUGAC call was my third of the day) but very few have the energy and purpose of the UUGAC call. While I am new to the board and have not witnessed its development over the past three years, I am amazed at all that has been accomplished by these dedicated volunteers. In three short years they have developed a website, a newsletter that is circulated to over 90 congregations, they passed an Action of Immediate Witness, and they continue to reach out and network with multitudes of UU Global HIV/AIDS activists in our many congregations. On top of all of that, the members of the board often are their congregations' coordinators for various on-the-ground programs, such as fundraising initiatives, exchange programs, and health oriented projects.

UUs are wonderful grassroots organizers. I am continuously amazed by the work that is being done, almost exclusively by volunteers. I am so encouraged that our faith fosters a spirit of action. Many UUs earnestly believe that if they do not actively work for justice then their faith is empty. We are called to listen to our conscience, such a calling comes with great responsibility. If you take your spiritual guidance from without you can close your eyes and ears and turn your back on the injustices of the world. But when your guidance comes from within it matters not which way you turn, for you are always facing your truth. As hard as that may be, many UUs take on that challenge. For that I am thankful, and for those persons, my fellow persons of faith I will do my best to be true to my religious community and to my personal conscience as I reach out and try to influence the happenings on the hill.