The Racialized Identities Awareness Book Group invites you to a powerful evening of reflection and dialogue as we dive into Gordon Parks’ seminal memoir, A Choice of Weapons.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Parks’ photography and filmmaking or are picking up his prose for the first time, this session promises to be a profound exploration of resilience, systemic struggle, and the transformative power of art.

Why This Book Matters
In A Choice of Weapons, Parks chronicles his journey through the United States during the mid-20th century. Facing a world defined by poverty and crushing racism, he famously decided that his "weapons" would not be violence, but a camera and a pen. It is a raw, honest look at how one individual navigated a landscape of inequality to become one of the most influential artists of his generation.

Event Details
We are offering a hybrid format to ensure everyone can join the conversation, regardless of where they are.

• Date: Friday, April 3rd
• Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
• Location: Room 321 OR Online (Link provided upon RSVP)

What to Expect
Our book group focuses on fostering a safe, intellectual, and empathetic space to discuss how race and identity shape our world. During this session, we will:

• Analyze Parks' philosophy of "creative resistance."
• Discuss the historical context of the 1940s and how it mirrors (or differs from) today's social climate.
• Share personal reflections on the "weapons" we choose in our own lives to combat injustice.

"I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs. I knew at that point I had to have a camera." — Gordon Parks

How to Participate
You don’t need to have finished the entire book to join—though we certainly encourage it! Come ready to listen, share, and learn from one another.

Contact Louise Titlow ([email protected]) for more info.

The Displaced: Confronting the Climate Refugee Crisis
We often talk about climate change in terms of degrees Celsius and carbon parts per million. But for millions of people today, the climate crisis isn't a statistic—it’s a suitcase.

Every year, more than 30 million people are forced to flee their homes due to the devastating impacts of a warming planet. Projections for 2050 are even more sobering, with estimates of climate-driven displacement ranging from 200 million to 1 billion people.

How do we respond when the very ground beneath our feet becomes uninhabitable?

A Legal and Political Vacuum
Despite the scale of this migration, the international community is stuck in a stalemate. Currently, those fleeing environmental disaster are not recognized under the 1951 Refugee Convention, leaving them without the legal protections or compensation afforded to those fleeing war or persecution.
While populist rhetoric often uses the "specter" of migration to justify closing borders, the reality is that many regions are being forced to innovate in the absence of a global consensus. From Asia to Latin America, the communities most affected are already building the blueprints for survival.

Join the Conversation
Our next Social Justice Film Screening and Discussion Series takes a deep dive into this urgent human rights issue.

• Film: Climate Refugees: A Global Challenge
• When: Thursday, March 26 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
• Where: Bard Hall
• Free to the public. Save your spot here.

Schedule for the Evening: The event will begin with a screening of the film (approximately one hour), followed immediately by a one-hour moderated discussion where we can unpack the themes of the documentary and discuss potential solutions together.

Why Attend?

• Understand the Legal Gap: Learn why the current definition of "refugee" is failing millions.
• See Local Innovation: Discover how regions in Asia and the Pacific are taking the initiative where global powers have stalled.
• Engage in Dialogue: Stick around after the credits for a moderated discussion on how we can advocate for a more just international response.

The climate is changing. Our definitions of justice must change with it.

There is something uniquely powerful about sharing a meal. It’s where stories are told, laughter is shared, and the foundations of a strong community are built. On Saturday, March 21st, Rainbow Action invites you to do just that.
Whether you are a long-time member of the congregation or looking to connect for the first time, our upcoming Potluck Lunch is the perfect space to find your "people" and celebrate the vibrant LGBTQ+ community at First UU.

Event Details

• When: Saturday, March 21st
• Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
• Where: The Common Room at First UU
• Who: All LGBTQ+ individuals, families, friends, and allies. Everyone is welcome!

Why We Gather
The goal of this lunch is simple: connection. In a busy world, we want to create a dedicated space to slow down, build intentional relationships, and strengthen the bonds that make our community resilient and inclusive.

What to Bring
As this is a potluck, we encourage you to bring a dish to share! Whether it’s a family favorite, a store-bought treat, or a seasonal specialty, your contribution adds to the "flavor" of our gathering.

Pro-Tip: If possible, please include a small note or card with your dish listing the ingredients to help those with food allergies or dietary restrictions dine safely.

RSVP Today
To help us ensure we have enough tables and chairs for everyone, please send a quick RSVP to Louise.

• Contact: Louise Titlow at [email protected]

As Unitarian Universalists, our faith calls us to do more than just believe in justice—it calls us to embody it. In a world often overshadowed by authoritarianism, corruption, and cruelty, we are standing together to uphold the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

On Saturday, March 28th, the "No Kings" movement will take to the streets of San Diego, and First UU is showing up in force. In America, we have no kings!

Event Details

• When: Saturday, March 28th | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
• Where: Starting at Waterfront Park (1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego, CA 92101)

How to March with First UU
We are stronger together! If you’d like to march alongside your fellow congregants, we are organizing a group meetup and carpool to head downtown.

• Meet-Up Location: First UU Hillcrest Parking Lot
• Time: Arrive by 9:15 AM. We will depart for Waterfront Park promptly at 9:30 AM.
• RSVP: Please reply to Valeria ([email protected]) if you plan to join so we can coordinate a headcount and carpooling.

Alternatives & Accessibility
We believe in community care, which means ensuring everyone can participate regardless of physical mobility.

• The Accessible/Family Space: If you would like to support the event but are unable to walk the full distance, please consider joining the alternate location at Ruocco Park (585 Harbor Ln, San Diego, CA 92101). This is a dedicated space for children and families, and it’s a great spot if you’d like to bring your own chair and sit while showing your support.

Can’t March?
ou Can Still Help!Showing up doesn’t always mean walking the line. We are looking for volunteers to help our contingent get to and from the event.

Volunteer as a Driver: If you have a vehicle and can offer rides to or from the protest, you are providing an essential service of solidarity. Please contact Valeria at [email protected] to sign up as a transportation volunteer.

In the industrial landscape of Otay Mesa, a steady pulse of community and compassion beats every Sunday. If you’ve been looking for a way to turn empathy into action, this peaceful  vigil offers a powerful, peaceful space to stand in solidarity with those held inside the Otay Mesa Detention Center.

More than just a protest, this is a community-led gathering focused on human connection. Every week, activists, neighbors, and families gather at the gates to ensure that the individuals inside know they are not forgotten.


​The atmosphere is one of resilient peace—often filled with music, shared stories, and a collective commitment to dignity for all.
Key Details for AttendeesIf you’re planning to join, here is everything you need to know to get involved:

• Location: 7488 Calzada de la Fuente, San Diego, CA 92154.
• Time: Every Sunday, 1:30 PM – 4:00 PM.
• Weather: These vigils are rain or shine. The commitment to solidarity doesn't take a day off for the weather!
• Hosts: Often organized and supported by local grassroots groups like Activist San Diego and @raiseyourvoicesd.

Why We Gather
The goals of the vigil are practical as much as they are symbolic. The community focuses on:

1. Direct Support: Raising funds for commissary accounts and essential phone calls, allowing detainees to stay in touch with their legal counsel and loved ones.
2. Messages of Hope: Providing a visible, audible presence to remind those inside that there is a community outside fighting for them.
3. Advocacy: Keeping the public eye on the detention system and advocating for humane treatment and systemic change.

The smallest act of solidarity is louder than the silence of indifference.

How to Prepare
If it's your first time, welcome! It’s helpful to bring water, comfortable shoes, and perhaps a sign with a message of support. Whether you stay for thirty minutes or the full two and a half hours, your presence makes a difference.

• Community service is best served warm—and wrapped in a tortilla. On the 4th Tuesday of every month, the Common Room at First UU San Diego transforms into a hub of action for the Burrito Project. This grassroots initiative is a direct way to support our unsheltered neighbors in San Diego through nutritious food and human connection.
  Whether you have a few hours to spare or want to commit to the whole evening, there is a seat at the table for you.
  
  

The Game Plan: What to Expect

• The evening is split into two phases. You are welcome to join for the assembly, the distribution, or the entire journey.
• 4:00 PM – The Assembly: We meet in the Common Room to get to work. This is a high-energy "assembly line" where we scoop beans, rice, and corn into warm tortillas, wrap them up, and pair them with cold water for distribution.
• 5:00 PM – The Distribution: Once the kitchen is clean, we load up the van and caravan downtown. We hit the streets to hand out the meals directly to those who need them most.
• 7:00 PM – The Return: We wrap up our distribution and head back to the Hillcrest campus, usually arriving by 7:00 PM at the latest.
• Location: First UU San Diego (Common Room)
  298 W Arbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92103

​A Note for Families
​The Burrito Project is a family-friendly event. We believe it’s never too early to learn the value of giving back. Children are more than welcome to participate under the direct supervision of a guardian. It’s a tangible, hands-on way for kids to see the immediate impact of kindness.

Many hands make light work—and many burritos.

Ready to Help?
To ensure we have enough supplies (and enough hands!), please RSVP to our Youth and Young Adult Coordinator.
Email: Lara Anderson at [email protected]

​Are you looking for a way to express your creativity, meet fellow local artists, and walk away with a pocket-sized gallery of original art? Whether you’re a seasoned illustrator or someone who hasn’t picked up a colored pencil since grade school, we have the perfect afternoon planned for you.

Join us for a Free Art Workshop dedicated to the global phenomenon of Artist Trading Cards (ATCs).

Event Details

• When: March 1, 2026 | 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM (Workshop) & 2:00 PM (Live Trade)
• Where: Bard Hall, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego, Hillcrest
• Cost: Completely Free
• Registration required: Complete the registration or email [email protected]

What are Artist Trading Cards?
Think of them as baseball cards, but instead of athletes, they feature original art! ATCs follow a few simple traditions:

1. Size: They must be 2.5 x 3.5 inches.
2. Signature: The artist signs and dates the back.
3. Exchange: They are meant to be traded, never sold.

Why You Should Attend
This isn't just a class; it's a social experience. You’ll learn the techniques to create your own cards using any medium you like—ink, watercolor, collage, or even digital prints.

Already working on something?
Artists are encouraged to bring their works-in-progress to work on in a collaborative, inspiring environment.

The Big Trade
The highlight of the day happens at 2:00 PM, when we hold a live trade session. This is your chance to swap your handmade creations with others and start your own unique collection of miniature art from the San Diego community.

How to Join
Space is limited, so make sure to reserve your spot!

• Register: Complete the registration or email [email protected].

Pro Tip: If you have favorite pens or supplies, feel free to bring them along, though we'll have plenty of inspiration to go around!