UU FaithAction New Jersey started with an idea — and a committee — in one of our member congregations. Since that initial vision in 2006, our grassroots organization has grown to a statewide network of 19 congregations and over 1,600 supporters.
In 2006, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Princeton, with new minister Rev. Forrest Gilmore, surveyed its congregants to find an exciting commitment in the social justice arena. The congregation chose to support the establishment of a legislative ministry. A $60,000 fund was dedicated to establishing the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey (UULMNJ), envisioned as a collaboration of all New Jersey UU congregations advocating for UU values with the NJ legislature.
Princeton appointed a five-person committee to reach out to their twenty neighboring UU congregations in New Jersey. A statewide Steering Committee was established in 2008, and in 2009 UULMNJ hired its first part-time Executive Director, the Rev. Julia Hamilton.
Following the model of the successful UU Legislative Ministry of California, UULMNJ launched with two arms: one dedicated to education and research and one dedicated to coordinating grassroots advocacy. Issues Task Forces were organized to lead advocacy efforts in collaboration with local Congregational Action Teams. In the early 2010s, the legislative ministry gained steam in the areas of affordable housing, immigration, health care, the environment, and marriage equality.
(For a more in-depth history of our organization, see “Our History: 2006 – 2017.”)
Since our early beginnings, we have grown our presence and impact in the New Jersey public policy space and social justice coalitions. Our members have taken part in rallies and marches, testimony and lobbying, press events and teach-ins. Our lay leaders have cultivated deep engagement with the legislative process, key legislation, and frontline coalition partners. In 2017, UULMNJ rebranded as UU FaithAction NJ, to reflect our expanding scope and central commitment to action in service of justice, equity and compassion.
Today, thanks to the efforts of many dedicated volunteers and our small-but-mighty staff, we are prepared to meet the moral urgency of this moment.
Join us, and be a part of our next chapter!