Social Justice
As a faith community, we engage in mindful advocacy and action in tune with the earth and all of its inhabitants because we believe in creating a more equitable, just, and peaceful world.
Guided by our Unitarian Universalist principles and values, our members bring this vision to life through a variety of projects. Please contact info@neighborhooduu.org to learn more.
Our Projects
Dr. Robert A. Millikan was a member of Neighborhood UU Church in Pasadena, California from 1925 until his death in 1953. During this time, he was on the church’s board for 15 years. Despite his many scientific and other accomplishments, he was also on the board of the Pasadena-based Human Betterment Foundation from 1937-1942, a eugenics organization that not only promoted junk science and the forced sterilization of people of color, the mentally challenged and other marginalized people in California and nationally; but also provided a conscious model for the persecution, dehumanization, forced sterilization and ultimate murders by the Nazis during the 1930s and WWII. Dr. Millikan never publicly denounced his membership in the Foundation.
In 2017, this community began to explore and confront the mixed legacy of Dr. Millikan. In 2018, the Church removed Dr. Millikan’s name from a place of honor on its church grounds, as did multiple schools in Southern California, including Caltech in 2021. Through education, outreach, and faith-rooted action church members work to dismantle white supremacy and promote reparations for those directly and indirectly harmed.
For more information visit these resources:
- 2026 Press Package
- Four Essays (2018/2019): On Truth and Reconciliation
- Press Release: California Approves $7.5 Million Budget Request to Provide Reparations to Survivors of State Sponsored Forced Sterilizations.
- Video: presentation on T&R from the Regional Assembly (2022).
- Powerpoint presentation: from our June 5th, 2022 service.
Historical Perspectives On Contemporary Issues: (scroll to min. 32 to see Neighborhood featured).
Advocates for and educates on Earth-based spirituality within our congregation and community at large; we encourage interfaith dialogue; and ensure that different traditions are honored in education and worship. The Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans (CUUPS) exists in part to promote the practice and understanding of Pagan and Earth-centered Spirituality within the Unitarian Universalist Association and to enable networking among Pagan-identified Unitarian Universalists.
Is the longest running BIPoC (Black, Indigeunous, and other People of Color) spiritual affinity group within our Unitarian Universalists Association. Created in 2005, by and serving Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color members at Neighborhood Church, this group meets monthly to promote spiritual support and fellowship.
The Foster Kids Helping Hands (ACAC) project engages the congregation to better the lives of local foster children and youth. Neighborhood Church has “adopted” two caseworkers from the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), who identify ways that we can help the kids they serve. We provide ongoing support throughout the year to help with many needs, such as clothing, shoes, food, and school supplies, as well as provide them with gifts at holidays.
Twice a year for over 20 years members work side-by-side with residents of Tijuana, Mexico to build homes in conjunction with Esperanza International in some of the city’s lowest income neighborhoods.
Efforts to erase voting rights, trans rights, and abortion rights for millions of people are escalating across the country. Through education, outreach, and actions members work to eradicate voter suppression, in the United States.
Through education, lectures, and action members and friends work to break down barriers and inspire solidarity among faith communities. Since 2014, this committee has organized an annual interfaith dinner.
At Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church, giving is a spiritual practice where we put our values into action. Each Sunday our congregation donates 100% of its contributions to a local community-based 501(c)3 organization or Neighborhood Church-based social justice program. Since Share the Plate (STP) began at Neighborhood in 2020, the Church has donated more than $50,000 to organizations in our community that focus on topics including food insecurity and support for the unhoused, reproductive rights, voting rights, schools and education, racial equity, LGBTQIA+ support, environmental advocacy, support for children and youth, arts advocacy, and more. Recipient organizations are identified by church members, who oftentimes are longtime volunteers and supporters of these change-making organizations.
To view a comprehensive list of organizations that have been supported through Share the Plate, click here.
To nominate an organization for Share the Plate, click here.