In a powerful display of unity and solidarity, faith leaders and congregants from across San Diego County, including First UU ministers and congregants, gathered on Sunday, January 25th, for the "Procession of Faith: Standing for All That is Sacred." This event was sponsored by the San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP) and was a direct response to increased ICE activity in San Diego neighborhoods, aiming to reclaim the sanctity of the streets and stand in unwavering support of immigrant brothers and sisters.

The afternoon began at Cesar Chavez Park in Barrio Logan, where hundreds of people converged. Faith leaders opened the gathering with heartfelt prayers, setting a tone of solemn purpose and hope.
Following the opening prayers, the crowd embarked on a walking procession through the vibrant streets of Barrio Logan. The procession was not merely a walk but a pilgrimage of purpose, stopping at five different locations where recent ICE raids have impacted local San Diegans. Each stop served as a poignant reminder of the human cost of these actions and a moment for collective prayer and reflection.

Local elected leaders also participated, demonstrating their support for the community and the powerful message of the procession. The journey culminated at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, where the participants engaged in a deeply meaningful act: the signing of a prophetic declaration. This declaration boldly affirmed their commitment to standing for all that is sacred, specifically for and with their immigrant neighbors who face intimidation and fear. Reverend Kristen read the English version of this powerful pledge, resonating with the hearts of those present.

The "Standing for All That is Sacred" procession was a powerful testament to the strength of faith, community, and solidarity in the face of adversity. It was a day when the streets of Barrio Logan became a sacred space, reclaimed by those who believe in justice, compassion, and the inherent dignity of all people.

Sign the Prophetic Declaration: Standing for all that is Sacred.

When: Thursday, February 26
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Where: Bard Hall, First UU Church of San Diego
Admission: Open to the public. Bring your perspective and an open mind.​
Free event

​In an era of political noise and global uncertainty, sometimes the most profound insights come from a flickering screen and a man with a toothbrush mustache.

​The Social Justice Film Series is honored to invite you to a special screening and discussion of Charlie Chaplin’s 1940 masterpiece, The Great Dictator. This isn't just a "classic movie night"—it’s a deep dive into the roots of tyranny, the power of resistance, and the enduring hope for human dignity.

The Story: A Tale of Two Identical StrangersThe film follows two parallel lives:

• The Barber: After spending 20 years in a hospital following WWI, a Jewish barber returns to find his shop covered in cobwebs and his community living in the shadow of fear.
• Adenoid Hynkel: The tyrannical dictator of Tomania (a thin veil for Adolf Hitler), who is obsessed with world domination and "purifying" his nation.

As the barber and his spirited neighbor, Hannah, navigate the cruelty of Hynkel’s henchmen, the film builds toward one of the most famous and moving speeches in cinematic history—a plea for humanity that still brings shivers to audiences today.

Why This Film? Why Now?
The Great Dictator was a "visionary satire" in the truest sense. Chaplin began filming before the full horrors of WWII were known, yet he managed to capture the absurdity and the danger of authoritarianism with uncanny precision.

History marked the film, and the film marked history. It serves as a reminder that:

1. Satire is a weapon: Humility and humor can disarm even the most imposing figures.
2. Apathy is the enemy: The barber’s surprise at the graffiti on his window mirrors our own need to stay awake to the changes in our society.
3. Universal Humanity: The struggles faced by the characters in the 1940s echo the social justice battles we continue to fight today.

• "We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness." — The Great Dictator

Join us for the screening followed by an engaging community discussion where we’ll bridge the gap between this 80-year-old satire and our current social landscape.

Our stories are the threads that weave our community together, and some stories offer a unique mirror to our own identities. This February, the Racialized Identities Awareness (RIA) Book Group invites you to pull up a chair and dive deep into a masterpiece of contemporary literature.


We will gather to discuss this year's One Book, One San Diego selection: "Deacon King Kong" by James McBride.

About the BookSet in 1960s Brooklyn, Deacon King Kong is a vibrant, funny, and deeply moving novel that begins with a startling act of violence and unfolds into a beautiful tapestry of interconnected lives. McBride explores themes of race, faith, and the complex social structures of urban life with wit and profound humanity.
It is the perfect catalyst for our ongoing conversation about racialized identities and how they shape our world.
Gathering DetailsWhether you’ve finished the book or are still mid-chapter, we welcome your voice and your perspective.

• Date: Friday, February 6
• Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• Location: Room 321 at First UU
• Focus: Deacon King Kong by James McBride

Why Join the RIA Book Group?The RIA Book Group provides a safe, reflective space to explore how race and identity impact our lived experiences. Through the lens of literature, we practice active listening, empathy, and critical thinking to better understand ourselves and our neighbors.
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Have questions? For more information or to find out how to get a copy of the book, please reach out to Louise at [email protected].


We look forward to a night of rich conversation and community building. See you in Room 321!

In times of uncertainty, our greatest strength lies in our faith and our community. Recently, we have witnessed an increase in ICE activity that has brought a growing sense of fear to the doorsteps of our neighbors, friends, and families.
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As people of faith, we know that we cannot remain silent when our community is hurting. We are called to a higher purpose: to act as a public witness, rooted in prayer and moral clarity.
Why We WalkThis isn't just a march; it is a prayerful procession. We are coming together to demonstrate that every person is sacred and that our solidarity is stronger than fear. This is an invitation to stand on the side of love, dignity, and justice for all our families.

Event DetailsWe invite you, your family, and your congregation to join the San Diego Organizing Project (SDOP) for this vital community action.

• Date: Sunday, January 25th
• Time: 4:00 PM
• Starting Point: Cesar Chavez Park (1901 National Avenue)
• Ending Point: Our Lady of Guadalupe Church
• Parking: Paid public parking is available at the Cesar Chavez Parking Structure.

How to Join UsTo help us prepare and ensure we move as one united body, please let us know you are coming.
RSVP here: bit.ly/SDOPsacred
Let’s walk together, pray together, and show our community that they do not stand alone. We look forward to seeing you there.

A message from Tony Bianca, Director of Spiritual Exploration and Worship Arts.
Watch the video or read the transcript below!

As many of you know, we will hold a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, February 8 at 11:30 am at our Hillcrest campus. At this meeting, we will decide together whether to call Rev. Kristen as a settled minister at First UU.
According to our bylaws, decisions of this significance require a quorum of 35 percent of our voting members. For our congregation, that means 144 voting members must be present, either in person or live online, for the vote to take place. In the coming weeks, you will likely receive several reminders encouraging participation so that we can meet this requirement.
I would like to extend a slightly different kind of invitation. Rather than focusing on 144 as a minimum number to reach, imagine what it would feel like if everyone who is able to vote chose to participate. Picture the meeting house filled with 350 or even 400 people, gathered as a community committed to spiritual growth and to making important decisions together through our democratic process. Imagine the joy, the energy, and the shared sense of purpose in that moment.
This meeting is not only about meeting a requirement. It is an opportunity to celebrate who we are as a congregation, to be together in joy, and to affirm our commitment to one another and to our shared future.
I hope you will join us on February 8 at 11:30 am at Hillcrest, bringing a spirit of joy, connection, and community as we make this important decision together and continue our journey toward becoming a beloved community.

As we approach the one-year mark of the current administration, ICE Out of San Diego has grown from a local movement into a pillar of resistance. Week after week, our community has met cruelty with courage, refusing to let intimidation silence the demand for justice.

This Thursday, January 22, the momentum continues. The San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium (SDIRC) and Alliance San Diego are co-hosting our weekly rally at the Federal Building. We are standing together to demand accountability, due process, and a return to fundamental human rights.

Why We Are Still Here
Even in the face of rising federal overreach and intimidation, San Diegans continue to show up. We are gathering not just to demand that ICE get out of San Diego, but to call for a total end to the brutality and impunity that have defined this past year. We believe our city’s safety and dignity should always come before enforcement games.

A Year of Courage
This rally marks one year of resistance. It is a celebration of the ways you have shown up, spoken out, and stood firm.
We invite you to bring your signs from this past year. Let’s lift up a visual history of our collective struggle and a single, clear demand: SHAVE ICE OUT OF SAN DIEGO.

Rally Details

• When: Thursday, January 22
• Gathering: 10:30 AM
• Program Begins: 11:00 AM
• Where: Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building (880 Front Street, San Diego)

RSVP and Join Us: Sign up on Mobilize here

Together, We Stand For:

• Dignity and Justice for all families.
• Community, not cages.
• Accountability for those who lead in our name.

Bring your voice, your courage, and your friends. We’ll see you on the front lines as we continue to meet cruelty with courage.