At the heart of Unitarian Universalism is an insistent call to bring transformative love to bear on the world until all people are free. The prophetic witness of our ancestors calls us to challenge structures of injustice. Our contemporary movement has affirmed through the democratic processes of our association again and again a commitment to dismantle white supremacy culture and other oppressive structures inside and outside of our congregations. It is important that this work be done in partnership with impacted communities. As Lilla Watson says, “If you have come here to help me you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.”
Images and Videos of some of Rev. Jamie’s Social Justice work are below.
Press Conference for Mental Health Care and Crisis Response, October 2022
On October 20th, 2022 I joined faith leaders and community leaders in calling for full funding for a new statewide mental health crisis response system, including expanded mental health and addiction care. The press conference, which was organized by Faith in Indiana, was held inside the Indianapolis Convention Center on the eve of a historic Mental Health Summit for the state of Indiana. Note, when I speak as part of an interfaith group in an act of public witness, I may use different theological language than I would use in a typical UU Sunday service.
At a Faith in Indiana press conference calling for health care for all.
With Faith in Indiana delegates at Senator Joe Donnelly’s office in Washington D.C. discussing health care.
Leading a 2016 Black Lives Matter rally with members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Indianapolis and members of the community at a busy intersection near the church. These rallies were done in communication with a local BLM group, who sometimes joined us. But part of the point was that it was the job of white people to show up for Black lives.
About to be interviewed on a local radio program in 2017 about organizing for resistance after the 2016 election.
Leading the dedication of the church’s solar panel ground array in 2018. The congregation raised $100,000 in a capital campaign to install the panels. The campus is now near-100% solar powered.
Having fun working for justice. In 2016 we fought for and won expanded mass transit in Indianapolis.
In May of 2022 I was featured in an article in a special issue of the Indianapolis Business Journal discussing the congregation’s commitment to solar power and the need for regulatory changes in Indianapolis.
In April of 2021 I was interviewed on the local nightly news about a vigil that neighborhood faith leaders (including myself) organized outside the Governor’s mansion to protest gun violence and call for action. This was in the wake of the 2021 mass shooting at a FedEx warehouse in Indianapolis. That summer I also spoke at an interfaith vigil organized by the Sikh community, who were disproportionately impacted by that shooting.
I was invited to speak at an interfaith rally for climate change on the steps of the Indiana State House. We were delivering a petition calling on the state government to make responding to climate change a priority. The event was done in partnership with Faith in Place (formerly Hoosier Interfaith Power and Light.)
At a 2019 meeting with the Indianapolis Mayor and Faith in Indiana to discuss implementation of a comprehensive gun violence reduction program. We had been working on this since 2014. After our meeting the mayor agreed to implement and fully fund the program.