As Unitarian Universalists, putting our faith into action isn't optional—it's at the heart of who we are. Our values call us to help build a more just, inclusive, and representative democracy where every voice counts and every community is heard.

That is why we are thrilled to bring the national UU the Vote campaign back to First UU!

Reflecting on Our 2024 Impact
In 2024, our congregation showed up in a big way. By organizing, reaching out, and connecting directly with underrepresented voters in key swing areas, we helped make real, measurable moves toward greater democratic participation:

• 4,200+ postcards written and mailed
• 2,500+ phone calls placed to voters

Every stamp, every phone call, and every conversation was a step toward a fairer, more inclusive process.

Raising the Bar for 2026
Building on that incredible momentum, the Social Justice Executive Team is officially issuing a challenge to our First UU members and friends: let’s go even further this season!
Here is what we are aiming to accomplish together:

• 6,000 Postcards Sent — building on the 4,200 we sent in 2024
• 4,500 Phone Calls Placed — up from our 2,500 calls in 2024
• Text Banking Launch — rolling out our first-ever program!

Off to a Strong Start!
We’ve already kicked things off! At our first postcard-writing party on August 2nd, our team completed 120 postcards.

How to Get Involved This Sunday
We will be staffing a table on the patio every Sunday. Stop by to:

• Pick up postcard packets to complete at home.
• Turn in your completed postcards.
• Sign up for upcoming outreach shifts.

Look out for even more opportunities to get involved between now and November!

Questions or Want to Volunteer?We need everyone's voice and hands to reach our goals. Contact Valeria at mail@firstuusandiego.org to get plugged into upcoming trainings, events, and text-banking launches.

​Let's organize, show up, and vote our values together!

What is the reality behind "The California Dream"? Is it a golden land of endless opportunity, or a story built on complex, often overlooked histories of struggle, resistance, and transformation?
Starting this September, First UU member Bob Nowlan—Professor Emeritus of Critical Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire—will lead a deep dive into these exact questions with his new course: "California: Critical Histories."

This marks Bob’s third San Diego Free University class, and it promises to be a compelling exploration of our state’s past, present, and future.

What the Class Covers
Together, participants will dissect the myth and reality of the California Dream. The curriculum draws from a powerful selection of texts that highlight the diverse peoples and movements that truly shaped the state:

• Bad Indians: A Tribal Memoir by Deborah A. Miranda
• We Are the Land: A History of Native California by Damon B. Akins and William J. Bauer Jr.
• Angel Island: Immigrant Gateway to America by Erika Lee and Judy Yung
• La Nueva California: Latinos from Pioneers to Post-Millennials by David E. Hayes-Bautista
• Wherever There's a Fight: How Runaway Slaves, Suffragists, Immigrants, Strikers, and Poets Shaped Civil Liberties in California by Elaine Elinson and Stan Yogi
• Palo Alto: A History of California, Capitalism, and the World by Malcolm Harris

Class Details

• When: Eight consecutive Sundays, September 13 to November 1
• Time: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Where: The Common Room at First UU
• Cost: Free!
• Sponsorship & Endorsements: Sponsored by Democratic Socialists of America–San Diego and endorsed by First UU's Social Justice Executive Team.

How to Register
Like all San Diego Free University classes, enrollment is completely free and open to all.
To express interest in enrolling, ask questions, or learn more about the course, reach out directly to the instructor:
Contact: Bob Nowlan (mail@firstuusandiego.org)

Come pull up a chair, engage in vital conversation, and see the Golden State through a critical new lens!

Join us for a powerful evening dedicated to peace, history, and community action as we welcome San Diego Veterans For Peace to honor the Golden Rule—the legendary anti-nuclear peace sailboat that has been making waves for disarmament since 1958.

Whether you've followed the journey of the Golden Rule for years or are learning about its historic mission for the first time, this evening offers a unique space to reflect, listen, and connect with fellow community members committed to peace.

What to Expect
We’ve put together a rich program designed to inspire dialogue and action through several distinct moments:

• Symposium & Panel Discussion: Hear directly from peace activists and veterans as they discuss the legacy of nonviolent resistance and current peace efforts.
• Documentary Screening: Watch the story of the Golden Rule and how a small crew using a wooden sailboat helped ignite the modern anti-nuclear movement.
• Live Music: Enjoy performances interspersed throughout the evening to build warmth and shared community.

Event Details
Anti-War Program & Evening Gathering

• When: Monday, July 27 | 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Where: First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego (4190 Front St, San Diego, CA 92103)
• Hosted By: San Diego Veterans For Peace
• Admission: Free — no registration required!

Bring a friend, bring your questions, and join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating peace and history.
For more background on the voyage and mission, feel free to explore additional information about the Golden Rule ahead of the event!

Join us to help wrap burritos for the unsheltered.

Mark Your Calendars
To help us plan accordingly, please get these dates on your radar and RSVP as soon as possible. 

• Tuesday, July 28, 2026 | 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM

​Location: Common Room at First UU San Diego
298 W Arbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92103

What to Expect (The Itinerary)
Whether you can stay for the whole time or just a portion, your help makes a difference. You are welcome to participate in the preparation, the distribution, or both!

• 4:00 PM – Assembly: We gather in the Common Room to assemble burritos. This involves scooping beans, rice, and corn into warmed tortillas, wrapping them, and bagging them with cold water.
• 5:00 PM – Distribution: After cleaning our workspace, we load the supplies into the van and caravan downtown to distribute the meals.
• 7:00 PM – Return: We will be back at the Hillcrest campus by 7:00 PM at the latest.

​Note for Families: Children are more than welcome to support this project under the direct care of a guardian. It’s a wonderful way for families to give back together!

How to Sign Up
Please RSVP to our Youth and Young Adult Coordinator, Lara Anderson, if you are interested in serving on one or both of these days.
RSVP Email: lara@firstuusandiego.org

This initiative is proudly funded through our Young Adult Ministry program. We are so grateful to the young leaders in our congregation for making this second project possible. We hope to see you there!

As Unitarian Universalists, putting our faith into action isn't optional—it's at the heart of who we are. Our faith calls us to build a more just, inclusive, and representative democracy where every voice counts and every community is heard.

That is why we are thrilled to launch this year’s UU the Vote campaign at First UU!

Reflecting on Our 2024 Impact
In 2024, our congregation showed up in a big way. By organizing, reaching out, and connecting directly with underrepresented voters in key swing states, we helped make real, measurable moves toward democratic participation:

• 4,200+ postcards written and mailed
• 2,500+ phone calls placed to voters

Every stamp, every phone call, and every conversation was a step toward a fairer, more inclusive process.

Raising the Bar for 2026
Building on that momentum, the Social Justice Executive Team is officially issuing a challenge to our First UU members and friends: let's go even further this season!

Here is what we are aiming to accomplish together:

• Send 6,000 Postcards (building on the 4,200 we sent in 2024)
  
• Make 4,500 Phone Calls (up from our 2,500 calls in 2024)
  
• Launch Our First-Ever Text Banking Program
  

In the coming months, we will offer structured, easy-to-join opportunities to write postcards, make calls, and get trained on text banking basics. Whether you're a seasoned organizer or a first-time volunteer, there is a place for you in this effort.

Kicking Off: Postcard Writing Party!
Ready to dive in and help us crush our goals? Mark your calendar for our first official gathering!

Event Details

• What: Postcard Writing Party!
• When: Sunday, August 2 at 11:30 AM
• Where: First UU (Location TBA)
• What to Bring: Just your enthusiasm! We will provide all cards, voter lists, pens, and refreshments.

Come share refreshments, great community, and meaningful work as we start chipping away at that 6,000-postcard target.

Get InvolvedTogether, we can ensure voters across the country have the support and encouragement they need to make their voices heard this November.

Questions or want to volunteer? Email Valeria (mail@firstuusandiego.org) to get plugged into upcoming trainings and events.

Show Your Pride! Join the First UU Contingent in the San Diego Pride Parade
You don't want to miss being in our First UU contingent in the "Pride Shines On" Pride Parade on Saturday, July 18th! It is a wonderful opportunity to show our Pride together with family, friends, and allies. Bring your rainbow smiles, your energy, and your laughter, and join in on the fun!

​We just received the final staging details from San Diego Pride, and we are ready to march. Here is everything you need to know to find us and stay comfortable:

Parade & Staging Logistics

• When: Saturday, July 18th, from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
• Our Contingent Number: #158.
• Staging Location: Centre Street between Harvey Milk Street and Lincoln Avenue.
• Arrival Time: Please aim to arrive at our staging area by 11:15 AM. This will ensure everyone is gathered, checked in, and ready before our official move time.

Check out the map to see where we'll meet.

Tips for a Great Parade Day
Because the parade officially begins at 10:00 AM, the surrounding area will already be very crowded and vibrant by the time our contingent gathers. To ensure you have a fun, safe, and stress-free day, keep these tips in mind:

• Plan Your Transportation: Parking in Hillcrest during Pride is notoriously difficult. We highly recommend taking public transit (buses or trolleys) or getting dropped off near the site.
• Beat the Heat: July days in San Diego get warm quickly! Please remember to bring plenty of sunscreen, snacks, and hydrating beverages to keep your energy up while we wait and march.

Want more info? You can find additional routing, parking, and event details directly from San Diego Pride by visiting the official San Diego Pride Parade Page.

We can't wait to look out at a sea of First UU faces celebrating love, equity, and community together. See you on Centre Street!

Mark your calendars! The next gathering of our book club is just around the corner, and we are diving into a deeply moving story of friendship, family, and history.

We invite you to join us for a thoughtful discussion of Laila Ibrahim’s captivating novel, Golden Poppies.

Details
Date: Thursday, July 30th
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Room 321 at First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego (4190 Front Street, San Diego, CA. 92103)
Who: All readers and perspectives are welcome!

About the Book
A powerful sequel to Yellow Crocus and Mustard Seed, Golden Poppies continues the sweeping multigenerational saga of Mattie and Lisbeth. Set in the late 19th century against the backdrop of a rapidly changing America, the novel follows their daughters, Jordan and Sadie.

As the next generation navigates the complex social landscapes of the Gilded Age, the Jim Crow South, and the early women's suffrage movement, they must confront the legacy of their families' pasts. Ibrahim masterfully explores themes of race, privilege, resilience, and the enduring bonds of female friendship.

Join the Conversation
Our book club is a warm, engaging space where we look forward to unpacking the rich historical layers and emotional depth of this novel together. Whether you have read all of Ibrahim's books or are jumping into the saga for the first time, your voice will make our conversation richer.

Want to find out more?
If you need help sourcing a copy, want a sneak peek at our discussion questions, or have any logistics questions, please reach out directly to Louise for more details (mail@firstuusandiego.org).

Happy reading, and we look forward to seeing you in Room 321 on July 30th at 6:30 PM!