About UUJAZ

Our Vision

The vision of UUJAZ is to energize people of faith to create an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling, socially just life for all those who live in Arizona.

Our Mission

The mission of UUJAZ is to engage Arizona Unitarian Universalists in justice making through strengthening congregational social justice ministries, connecting UU activists and congregations across the state, partnering with like-minded justice organizations, and empowering UUs to work for socially just public policy.

The work of UUJAZ is grounded in the values of Unitarian Universalism as stated in our Seven Principles. We affirm and promote:

The inherent worth and dignity of every person;

Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;

Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our Congregations;

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;

The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Our Values

Learning We learn by reflecting in community and taking action, as well as individual curiosity, effort, and dedication. The work of UUJAZ is at the growing edges: the gap between where we are as UUs and where we want to be.

Courage We strive to move beyond our comfort zones. We understand that safety isn’t always possible or guaranteed so we work from a place of bravery and encourage risk-taking.

Accountability We strive to build more restorative and transformative practices as part of our justice work. We are intentional in our engagement with punitive cultures when necessary. We take responsibility for the harm we may have currently and historically caused and strive to build a culture where relationships can be restored and empathy can grow. We balance the transparency and confidentiality that is often required during these processes.

Relationship We organize on teams, with partners, and in coalitions because we know that we are better together and our wellbeing is intertwined. We nurture our relationships of mutual trust through clear communication and by doing what we promise. We value the emergent needs of people over adhering to established processes.

Discernment We approach our work thoughtfully to ensure alignment with our mission and vision. When our values conflict with one another, we lean into complexity and don’t expect a one-size fits all solution to every decision.

Equity We use a frame of equity instead of equality because what works for one person doesn’t work for all. We seek to subvert dominant cultural norms by centering the margins and normalizing the radical. We follow the lead of directly impacted persons and organizations who are focused on taking direct action for policy and societal change. We anticipate and accommodate for needs, holding space for all those who may join us.

Self-Awareness We believe that everyone has a role to play in the ecosystem of justice work. There are times when some or all of us may need to listen, move back, and de-center our own experiences and priorities. We take power dynamics into consideration when deciding when to lead and when to follow.

Imagination We approach our work with an attitude of curiosity and creativity. Radical change requires us to reimagine the way that things can change from the root, rather than replicating systems of oppression or maintaining the status quo.

Joy We reject the idea that justice "work" is only hard or tedious. It is also the path to meaning and joy in life. We approach our work with play and silliness, enjoy the process of doing justice, and remember to celebrate milestones, progress, and efforts along the way.

Sustainability We prioritize sustainable work by allowing ourselves time and space to be human: to handle personal matters, care for family, take sick leave, and just plain rest. We support an attitude of work that includes us as whole people and believe that cycles of work and rest make long-term sustainability possible. To support this, we close in July and December to prioritize intentional rest and push back against capitalism's lie that we are only worth what we produce.

What is a UU?

We are brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the good. We have a track record of standing on the side of love, justice, and peace.

We have radical roots and a history as self-motivated spiritual people: we think for ourselves and recognize that life experience influences our beliefs more than anything.
We need not think alike to love alike. We are people of many beliefs and backgrounds: people with a religious background, people with none, people who believe in a God, people who don’t, and people who let the mystery be.

We are Unitarian Universalist and Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Humanist, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, atheist and agnostic, believers in God, and more.

On the forefront of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer inclusion for more than 40 years, we are people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

We seek to welcome you: your whole self, with all your truths and your doubts, your worries and your hopes. Join us on this extraordinary adventure of faith.