Celebrating John Lewis' birthday with our Good Trouble Congregations!

When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up. You have to say something; you have to do something. – John Lewis

 Today would have been John Lewis’ 83rd birthday. Millions of people have been inspired by Lewis’ courageous commitment to racial justice and electoral justice. Along with other people of faith and conscience like James Reeb and Viola Liuzzo, John Lewis is a spiritual elder and ancestor who invites us to side with love rather than fear. 

Last year, hundreds of UU congregations and individual UUs worked tirelessly ahead of the 2022 election, which helped us reach more than 2 million voters during a time when voter suppression was strong. Inspired by Lewis’ famous quote – Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble. –  UU the Vote debuted Good Trouble Congregations, an ambitious effort for congregations to support democracy in their communities with the following goals:

  • Average 20 postcards or letters per member

  • Average 200 text messages per member

  • Average 20 calls per member

  • Average 20 doorknocks per member

  • Reach 20 percent volunteer engagement

  • Average 2 newly registered voters per member

  • At least 2 congregants are line warmers, poll workers, or poll watchers

We are delighted and thrilled to announce the congregations who fulfilled 4 or more of the above criteria to become Good Trouble Congregations.

  • Aiken Unitarian Universalist Church (SC)

  • All Souls Church Unitarian (DC) 

  • All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation (CO)

  • Bay de Noc UU Fellowship (MI)

  • Borderlands UU (AZ)

  • Chalice UU Fellowship of the Conejo Valley (CA)

  • Georgia Mountains Unitarian Universalist Church (GA)

  • High Plains Church Unitarian Universalist (CO)

  • Olympia Brown Unitarian Universalist Church (WI)

  • Unitarian Society of New Haven (CT)

  • Unitarian Universalist Church of Surprise (AZ)

  • Unitarian Universalist Church of Spartanburg (SC)

  • Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester (MA)

  • Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica (CA)

  • Unitarian Universalist Community of the Mountains (CA)

  • Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport (CT)

  • Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick (MD)

  • Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady (NY)

  • Universalist Unitarian Church of Farmington (MI)

  • UU Congregation of Caldwell County (NC)

  • UU Congregation of Phoenix (AZ)

  • UU Fellowship of Marshfield (WI)

  • UU Westside Congregation (NM)

  • Valley Unitarian Universalist Congregation (AZ)

Join us on February 28 at 7:00pm ET/6pm CT/5pm MT/4pm PT for the Good Trouble Congregation Celebration. Come hear from partners, President Susan Frederick-Gray and keynote speaker Tiffany Flowers from The Frontline.  There will be a special recognition ceremony for congregations as well as folks who served as poll workers and Election Defenders. 

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