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
Jubilee Three Anti-Racism Training
Find out about this training here.
Find out about this training here.
A Renewed Invitation From the 8th Principle Collaboration Group of San Diego
The 8th Principle Collaboration Group of San Diego invites you to join us in continuing a study of Widening the Circle of Concern. We will continue to meet virtually monthly this fall until next spring at 10 am on second Saturday mornings: September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, and May 13. We have found these discussions to be enriching and fulfilling work and hope to share that joy among our congregations. This work is an affirming way to celebrate the adoption and implementation of the 8th principle. More details.
The 8th Principle Collaboration Group of San Diego invites you to join us in continuing a study of Widening the Circle of Concern. We will continue to meet virtually monthly this fall until next spring at 10 am on second Saturday mornings: September 10, October 8, November 12, December 10, January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, and May 13. We have found these discussions to be enriching and fulfilling work and hope to share that joy among our congregations. This work is an affirming way to celebrate the adoption and implementation of the 8th principle. More details.
Cluster-Wide Reading of the Widening the Circle of Concern Report Starts April 30, 2022
Our congregation will be participating in a cluster wide reading of “Widening the Circle of Concern” report beginning in April, along with other UU congregations in the San Diego area. If you are curious about this denominational report on how to live into our aspirations for racial justice and radical welcome. More details.
Our congregation will be participating in a cluster wide reading of “Widening the Circle of Concern” report beginning in April, along with other UU congregations in the San Diego area. If you are curious about this denominational report on how to live into our aspirations for racial justice and radical welcome. More details.
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) [email protected] or Steve Howard (he/him/his) [email protected].
Below are two documents, one a Sign-up Form, the other an updated document with information for potential participants on this fall's programming.
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) [email protected] or Steve Howard (he/him/his) [email protected].
Below are two documents, one a Sign-up Form, the other an updated document with information for potential participants on this fall's programming.
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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.
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View "Beloved Conversations Virtual Fall 2020" on Vimeo at vimeo.com/452406802
View "Beloved Conversations Virtual: Engaging in This Work as Black, Indigenous, People of Color" on Vimeo at vimeo.com/453371968.
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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.
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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.
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.
South Bay Campus:
Every other 3rd Saturday - 11:00 am in the Social Hall. For more info contact Kathleen Garcia-Horlor by email at [email protected].
More events to be announced soon!
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.
South Bay Campus:
Every other 3rd Saturday - 11:00 am in the Social Hall. For more info contact Kathleen Garcia-Horlor by email at [email protected].
More events to be announced soon!
What we doEducation
Museum of Man Race Exhibit tours and microaggressions workshop. Beloved Conversations: Meditations on race and Ethnicity. Planning Fifth Tuesday Board Meetings. Worship and Music Participating in planning and leading worship services. Updating the Welcome Words. Building and Deepening Relationships 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 Reviewing hiring, training, and evaluations of staff with regard to inclusion. Finance |
Downloads |
Who to contact
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JTW Core Team members
Valerie Jaques Christina Imhoof Rosalba Ciampi To contact anyone on the JTW Core Team, email us at [email protected]. |
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