First UU Church of San Diego
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Journey Toward Wholeness

A place to nurture and enhance

Journey Toward Wholeness (JTW) is the Unitarian Universalist Association's initiative, which implements each congregation's anti-racism, anti-oppression commitment on a church-wide basis. At First Church, this group focuses on dismantling racism, eradicating oppression, and on bringing about transformation through increased awareness. The JTW Committee at First Church is composed of People of Color and people of Anglo/European descent, who are of various gender identities and sexual orientations. Anyone may request to serve on this committee, and members are appointed by the church Board of Trustees.

Learning Opportunities

Beloved Conversations
Announcing a NEW & DIFFERENT Beloved Conversations: Virtual Program!
Next to the upcoming election, there’s no more pressing issue across our nation than addressing systemic racism in its many forms. Since the 2018 Town Hall meeting, our congregation has been working to understand how we contribute to oppression as an institution as well as individually and engage in various ways to change hearts, minds, and behaviors. More than 80 in our congregation have participated in the original Beloved Conversations since February 2019. This has been deeply spiritual and necessary work; this work is on-going and a state of being; it’s a journey.

In this time of pandemic and on-going racial tension, a new and different Beloved Conversations: Virtual has been developed. We are very pleased that feedback from our facilitators and participants has been incorporated into this new program based on individual reflection and processing. We believe it will better meet the needs of First UU’s Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) and non-BIPOC members and friends.

This program is for you, no matter how much or how little you know about systemic racism. The emphasis is on the internal work each of us needs to do as we work for racial justice—in a safe & supportive spiritual community. Unlike the previous program, materials and small groups will be organized by racial/ethnic affiliation or caucuses to allow for differentiated learning for Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) as well as for non-BIPOCs.


As previously, JTW Education focus leaders, Jan Garbosky and Steve Howard, are coordinating this new version. They will provide information about the program and a sign-up/interest form and are available to answer questions.

We encourage you to sign-up for the Fall 2020 term of Beloved Conversations: Virtual–including those of you who participated in the original version of Beloved Conversations. JTW hopes to cover as much of the costs as possible and no one will be turned away. This work is too important!

​In faith, Rev. Kathleen

For more information contact Jan Garbosky (she/her/hers) jgarbosky@cox.net or Steve Howard (he/him/his) steveh4544@icloud.com.

Below are two documents, one a Sign-up Form, the other an updated document with information for potential participants on this fall's programming.

bc_virtual_sign-up_form_fall_2020_term_8_30_20.doc
File Size: 64 kb
File Type: doc
Download File

updated_info_for_fall_2020_bc_virtual_participants_9_5_20.pdf
File Size: 144 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File

Tentative Fall 2020
Tentative Spring 2021
Sept. 1-20: Registration
Feb. 1-20 Registration
Beginning of Oct.: Welcome/Orientation
Beginning of March: Welcome/Orientation
Mid-Oct.: Meaning Making Session 1
Mid-Mar.: Meaning Making Session 1
Mid-Nov.: Meaning Making Session 2
Mid-Apr.: Meaning Making Session 2
Mid-Dec.: Meaning Making Session 3
Mid-May: Meaning Making Session 3
Ongoing - Every 2 Weeks
Ongoing - Every 2 Weeks
Online Individual Lessons
Online Individual Lessons
Small Group "Learning Pod" Meetings
Small Group "Learning Pod" Meetings

Videos

Learn more about Beloved Conversations & its impact from your friends in Cohort 1 & 2 or by watching the following videos.
View "Beloved Conversations Virtual Fall 2020" on Vimeo at vimeo.com/452406802
View "Beloved Conversations Virtual: Why Caucusing?" on Vimeo at vimeo.com/453373334. ​​
View "Beloved Conversations Virtual: Engaging in This Work as Black, Indigenous, People of Color" on Vimeo at vimeo.com/453371968. ​​​
View "Beloved Conversations Virtual : Within, Among, Beyond" on Vimeo at vimeo.com/453375050. ​
View "BCV: Is This for Individuals or Congregations?" on Vimeo at vimeo.com/453372892. ​​
Our Lead Minister, Rev. Kathleen Owens, discusses racial justice in our congregation, including explaining the differences between white accomplices and white allies beginning at 7:09. View "A Hope Made Real" on YouTube at youtube.com/watch?v=8WERiyvOeA8.

Race: Are We So Different?

Most of what we think about race is based on myth, folklore, or assumptions unsupported by genetics or biology. No one is free of misunderstandings about race, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Come join JTW for this 2 part class on the origins of race and racism. 
Day 1: Participants will meet at FUUSD for a one hour foundation. 
Day 2: We'll have free entry and tour the "Race: Are We So Different?" exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Man in Balboa Park. Then we'll participate in a workshop to learn about the science and history of race in America, talk openly about race an ethnicity and the ways it affects our lives personally and professionally, build trust among group members, and develop tools to continue these important conversations. Join us for an eye-opening look at human nature and biology. You’ll leave transformed. For new dates, check The Window.

Small Groups

DRUUMM (Diverse Revolutionary UU Multicultural Ministries) 
DRUUMM is a Unitarian Universalist People of Color Ministry--a multi-generational collective of BIPOC from Black/African American, Indigenous & Native American, Latinx, Asian & Pacific Islander, Southwest Asian & North African, & multicultural backgrounds. All programs are BIPOC only spaces, unless otherwise noted. Our purpose in gathering is to build & strengthen community through spiritual exploration & faith formation.  Our goal is to work towards anti-racism & healing in our shared UU faith.  Help us lay the groundwork for a revitalized (metaphorical) "Cultural Community Garden" to help sustain us in these troubled times.
Hillcrest Campus:
1st Thursdays - 6:00 pm - Room 323 in the Welcome Center. For more info contact Kia Bordner by email at kiakiali@gmail.com.
South Bay Campus:
Every other 3rd Saturday - 11:00 am in the Social Hall. For more info contact Kathleen Garcia-Horlor by email at ​uukhorlor2@cox.net.
More events to be announced soon! To get involved, contact Kia Bordner by email at kiakiali@gmail.com or Rev. Tania tania@firstuusandiego.org.

Downloads

Dismantling White Supremacy Handout

Who to contact

JTW Core Team members
Kia Bordner (JTW Core Team Co-Liaison)
Issac Castro (JTW Core Team Co-Liaison)
Honor Bell, III
Jennifer Clay
Jan Garbosky 
Steve Howard
​Maggie Marshall
Issel "Izzy" Martinez
​To contact anyone on the JTW Core Team, email us at jtw@firstuusandiego.org.
Education (Jan Garbosky, Steve Howard)
Museum of Man Race Exhibit tours and microaggressions workshop
Beloved Conversations: Meditations on race and Ethnicity
Planning Fifth Tuesday Board Meetings

Worship and Music (Isaac Castro)
Participating in planning and leading worship services
Updating the Welcome Words

Building and Deepening Relationships (Maggie Marshall, Jennifer Clay)
Workshops and presentations on implicit biases, inclusion, and microaggressions to the Lay Ministers and Good Relations Committee.
Coordinating with the Parents Group to give a presentation on JTW, the work we are doing, and how it can be integrated into their group.

Institutional and Cultural Change (Honor Bell, Kia Bordner)
Reviewing hiring, training, and evaluations of staff with regard to inclusion

Finance (Jan Garbosky, Issel Martinez)

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(619) 298-9978  |  Staff Directory
Hillcrest campus 4190 Front Street, San Diego, CA. 92103  |  South Bay campus 970 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA. 91911
For directions, parking and more see our Contact page.
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©2004-2019 First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. All rights reserved. Admin.
  • Home
  • Worship
    • Messages
    • Online Worship Services
    • Participate in a Service
    • Principles & Sources
    • Minister's Blog
  • Connections
    • Staying Connected
    • Welcome Newcomers! > >
      • Next Steps
      • UUism Primer
      • Become a Member
    • Community
    • Family Ministry > >
      • All Church Camp
    • Christian Study Group
    • Earth Centered Spirituality Circle
    • Meditation
    • Men's Fellowship > >
      • UUMF Renewal Registration
    • Neighborhood Groups
    • UU Women
    • Youth Programs
    • Young Adult & Campus Ministry
    • Affinity Groups
    • Wisdom Circles
  • Music
    • Adult Choirs
    • Children and Youth Choirs
    • Handbell Choirs
    • JUUL Tones
    • South Bay Music
    • Women's Choir
  • Education
    • Children's RE > >
      • Family Ministry Library
      • Children's RE Registration
    • Our Whole Lives (OWL)
    • Adult Faith Formation
    • SD Co-op Preschool
  • Programs
    • Archives
    • Art Guild
    • Caring
    • Food Pantry
    • Groups from A-Z
    • Larger UU Connections > >
      • Denominational Relations
      • Friends of De Benneville Pines
      • Philippines Partner Church
      • Transylvania Partner Church
      • UU Service Committee
    • Leadership Development
    • Looking Glass Theatre
    • Social Justice > >
      • Clean Elections
      • Climate Justice
      • Generosity Offerings
      • Organizing for Justice
      • Palestine-Israel Justice Group
      • Rainbow Action
      • Reproductive Justice
      • Sanctuary
      • SOLACE
      • UPTOWN Faith Community Services Center
    • Ushering
  • Giving
    • Donations
    • B&B Program > >
      • B&B Guest Registration
    • B&B Hosting > >
      • B&B Host Application
    • Dining for Dollars
    • Donate Your Vehicle
    • Donate Flowers
    • Planned Giving
    • Pledging
    • San Diego Visit
    • Specialty Sale
    • Shop and Support!
  • News
    • Blog
    • The Window - Weekly Bulletin
    • First Words Magazine
  • About
    • Member Areas > >
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    • Calendar
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    • Journey Toward Wholeness > >
      • BHM
    • Hillcrest Campus
    • Campus Maps
    • Facilities > >
      • Facilities Use Request Form
    • South Bay Campus
    • Forms
    • Reopening Team
    • Visioning The Future
    • Strategic Planning
    • Governance
    • Our History
  • Contact
    • Ministers and Staff
    • Website Update Form
    • Privacy and Terms