Why are Unitarian Universalists hosting a Climate Justice “Revival”? Environmental justice is pretty familiar to a lot of us in UU spaces, but what do we really mean by “revival”? The word might conjure images that seem far removed from some people’s impression of Unitarian Universalism.
And yet, it seems to me that something needs to be revived. So many people have really difficult feelings about climate justice. For one thing, the justice part of the equation involves addressing systematic harm experienced by other human beings.
Many of us have a tendency to hold people who are suffering at arm’s length. Maybe we contribute some funds or vote in a way that we think will bring about systemic change. But being in meaningful relationship with people who are most harmed by our societal tendency to treat Earth like a commodity rather than a partner? That’s challenging. It’s easier to just make sure I’m composting and recycling and planting pollinators in my own yard.
Even then, without engaging with other human beings who are suffering, we find the challenge of climate change too massive for us to hold as individuals. Or even as community. It feels like anything we do will be too little to make significant change. For some people, that means basically ignoring the issue because it seems like there’s nothing we can do to make a difference. And yet, we still feel anxious, because we can’t completely ignore the issue.
So, for me at least, the word “revival” speaks to a need for new perspective. A need for reinvigorated hope. Not wishful thinking, but a hope that fosters engagement in our own local spaces. A hope that fuels deeper relationships with the human beings around us. A hope that gives momentum to our concern so our anxiety about the planet doesn’t just swirl around directionless in our minds.
Joanna Macy writes, “Active Hope is a practice. Like tai chi or gardening, it is something we do rather than have. It is a process we can apply to any situation, and it involves three key steps. First, we start from where we are by taking in a clear view of reality, acknowledging what we see and how we feel. Second, we identify what we hope for in terms of the direction we’d like things to move in or the values we’d like to see expressed. And third, we take steps to move ourselves or our situation in that direction.”
That’s what we’re inviting at our Climate Justice Revival. Together, as a community, taking in a clear and honest view of current reality, defining a hopeful vision based on our shared values, and identifying specific steps we can take to move purposefully in the direction of that vision. Even if you aren’t feeling particularly needful of revival, your presence might remind someone else that we’re in this together—that active hope isn’t a solo endeavor. We uphold and encourage and inspire one another to keep moving toward that vision of wholeness and well-being.
Saturday, September 28, from 9:00AM until 1:00PM, we’ll have activities for all ages to revive our sense of hopefulness and empowerment. And after worship on September 29, we’ll have a special time to start getting into a space of active hope together. If you haven’t already registered, you can do so now at https://forms.gle/DbqVQfmsMBaz1GfD9