Advancing Justice Council
| | Welcome! We're so glad you're here... | |
And we’re excited to be here with you! As Unitarian Universalists, our shared values of interdependence, pluralism, justice, transformation, generosity, equity, and love call us to build a loving and just community together.
To kick off the new church year, UUCL’s Advancing Justice Council is launching this newsletter to share social justice news and invite you into this meaningful work. Whether you have five minutes to call a representative or a whole afternoon to attend an event, there is a place for you to make a difference.
| | | | Let's get a few admin items out of the way. | |
Our goal is to help you discover opportunities to build solidarity in community with like-minded people. We hope you’ll stick with us, but if you don’t want these messages, you can reply to this email and we will unsubscribe you.
Sometimes (quite often, really) justice work opportunities crop up at the last minute and we won’t have a chance to include them in this newsletter. If you’re interested in more up-to-date and in-depth conversations about a specific area, or if you want to join a justice group, please reply to this email and we’ll get you signed up.
Ok! Without further adieu...
| | Here's your chance to help a local family | |
For over a decade, the [redacted] family has been an integral part of our community. [Redacted] works in healthcare, while she and her husband raise three children, two of whom are currently working their way through college. After years of navigating the exhausting and expensive path toward citizenship, their lives were suddenly upended by targeted policies against Nigerian immigrants, forcing them into proceedings at the Sterling immigration court.
Returning to Nigeria poses a threat to their safety due to the father's past government work, making their upcoming September 28th asylum hearing a matter of survival. They are fighting to retain their right to stay, but they urgently need our financial support. We are asking for your support in raising $10,000 to retain two dedicated asylum lawyers ($5,000 each) to defend them. This goal covers only a fraction of their mounting legal fees, so please be as generous as you are able.
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Data Centers: Why Should We Care?
October 11, 2026 11:30am - 1:00pm
As the "Data Center Capital of the World," Loudoun County has been on the front lines of the data center build-out since the beginning. Technology has changed over the decades and the increasing environmental, health, financial, and other impacts of data centers are on the minds of Loudoun County residents and people all over the nation.
| | | Join us in person in the sanctuary or online after church on October 11 from 11:30am - 1:00pm to hear from local experts and community members, identify the connection to our UU values, and engage in conversation with fellow UUs. Bring your questions. Small group discussions will follow the presentation. | | | | |
UU the Vote
Midterm elections are coming up in just a couple of months, and we want every UUCL member and friend to be ready. Here are some key dates to keep in mind:
- Apply for absentee voting: ends at 5pm on Oct 23
- Early in-person voting: Sept 8 to Oct 31
- Registration and updates: ends Oct 23
- Election Day: Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026 – 6am to 7pm
- More information
| | In preparation for election day, our very own Ann Marie will host weekly letter-writing gatherings until October 21 for UU the Vote. Please email Membership to get more information and join the party. | | | |
Good News
Equality Loudoun has moved into a new space - a community hub for LGBTQIA+ people, family, and allies to connect, learn, and thrive.
Learn more about Equality Loudoun.
Find out how to visit or support the new center.
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What We're Watching
Three constitutional amendments are on the ballot in November, giving Virginians a chance to guarantee reproductive healthcare, marriage equality, and the restoration of voting rights. We urge a “yes” vote on all three!
Virginia’s new law restricting Sheriff Mike Chapman’s office from cooperating with ICE was temporarily blocked by a Federal judge. Attorney General Jay Jones “strongly disagrees with the judge’s order” and will appeal.
East Coast grid operator PJM is asking Federal regulators to require new data centers to supply their own power, raising concerns about increased carbon emissions from backup generators. In response, the Piedmont Environmental Council and Sierra Club have asked Gov. Spanberger to protect residents by mandating the use of air quality monitors, cleaner generators, and public notifications when generators are used.
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Please reply to this email with any questions, ideas, or concerns. We'll respond as soon as we're able. | | Unitarian Universalist Church of Loudoun | 20460 Gleedsville Rd | Leesburg, VA 20175 US | | | | |
