by Rev. Meagan Henry, First Unitarian Congregational Society Brooklyn, NY
I remember exactly where I was when I first read an email about a new Unitarian Universalist College of Social Justice. More importantly, I remember the feeling of elation and excitement I felt, and I knew then that I wanted to get involved. I am so grateful that I did!Serving as a program leader with the UU College of Social Justice since 2013 has been one of the most transformative experiences of my ministry as a Unitarian Universalist religious educator and minister. Over more than a decade of involvement, UUCSJ has fundamentally reshaped how I understand and practice justice work within our faith tradition.
Perhaps most significantly, while I came to UUCSJ with an understanding of social justice as solidarity rather than charity, my time there gave me the practical skills and frameworks to translate this knowledge into effective action. UUCSJ taught me how to move beyond theoretical understanding to develop concrete strategies for working alongside communities for liberation and structural change. This practical grounding revolutionized my approach to ministry, providing me with the tools to build authentic partnerships and mutual aid relationships rather than falling into well-intentioned but ineffective service models.
The leadership training I received through UUCSJ made me a more effective advocate and organizer for social justice causes. The skills I developed in facilitation, conflict transformation, and community organizing have proven invaluable in my congregational work and broader justice ministry. I learned to move beyond good intentions to develop concrete strategies for creating meaningful change.
UUCSJ provided me with robust frameworks for designing and leading immersion learning experiences that center justice work as spiritual practice. Whether working with teenagers exploring their emerging social consciousness or adults seeking to deepen their faith through action, I now have tools to create transformative educational journeys that connect head, heart, and hands. These immersion experiences have become a cornerstone of my religious education ministry.
Through UUCSJ, I came to understand social justice and activism not as add-ons to faith formation, but as essential spiritual practices that cultivate our Unitarian Universalist values. This integration has allowed me to present justice work as a natural expression of our theological commitments rather than an optional political activity. It has enriched my preaching, teaching, and pastoral care by grounding them in our tradition’s call to build beloved community.
Finally, my involvement with UUCSJ has deepened my relationships with others and with myself while significantly developing my intercultural competency. Working alongside diverse communities and examining my own privilege and positionality has made me a more effective minister and a more authentic human being. The vulnerability required for this growth has strengthened my capacity for meaningful connection and more ethical leadership.
Throughout this journey, I have been consistently inspired by the UUCSJ staff team. Their unwavering commitment to this transformative work, their deep theological grounding, and their skillful leadership have made all of this growth possible. Working alongside staff members who embody the values they teach has been a privilege and a joy. They approach this challenging work with both prophetic courage and pastoral care, creating spaces where real transformation can occur. Our Unitarian Universalist faith owes them a profound debt of gratitude for their dedication to nurturing justice-centered spiritual formation and their tireless efforts to build beloved community.
The UU College of Social Justice didn’t just enhance my ministry; it transformed my understanding of what faithful living looks like in a world crying out for justice. I am profoundly grateful for how this experience has shaped me as both a religious leader and a person of faith committed to the long arc of justice.