Our 2026 UUFBR annual congregational meeting went very smoothly, thanks to the hard work of many volunteers and our wonderful Administrative Assistant. In fact, it was more like an event than just a business meeting, complete with cheery decor and a delicious potluck feast beforehand. Thank you to the many hands who made it a celebration of our UU principles and values and our unique UUFBR community.

We DID do business, of course: we approved a budget for the upcoming fiscal year here and we elected leaders to the Board of Trustees (Patrick Larson, Claire Smith, and Lynn Smith) the Endowment Committee (Mitch Major and Rona Solomon), and the Nominating Committee (Myra Terry and Amanda Bowers).

But that’s just the beginning:

• Our Stewardship Team will continue to urge all members and friends to pledge generously to support the budget and enable the programs we value so highly
• Our Ministerial Search Committee will continue to receive and evaluate applications from potential ministers
• Our Program committees will continue to enrich our communal lives through worship, events, Sharex partnerships and community-building activities
• Our Endowment Committee will continue to invest and share the financial assets entrusted to us for long-range development and special projects
• Our Nominating Committee will continue to strengthen our leadership development efforts so we make full use of all talents and skills represented by our diverse community
• Our Board of Trustees will continue to move forward as stewards of our assets and coordinators of our ongoing efforts to live out our vision and mission

Please Note: Despite an erroneous statement in the meeting, the Board is able to fill the two vacancies on the Board immediately if there are members interested. If you think you’d like to serve our community in this way, please contact the Nominating Committee – we welcome new energy and ideas.

Congratulations on a productive and pleasant Annual Congregational Meeting – and thanks again to all who made it so.

Judy Keiser
Secretary

[NOTE: Meeting minutes to come]

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Our minister, Rev. Edith A. Love spoke about her experience:

Last Sunday afternoon, before our Solstice ritual, I joined others at a vigil for those who are being unjustly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Broward county. We stood in front of the facility where people are being held, holding signs and candles, the flames flickering as the wind blew. People drove by, honking their support. 

 

We had several speakers, and someone led us in singing. And then, to our surprise, a large bus drove out of the gates. The windows were heavily darkened, so that we could not see any of the human beings inside. We drew closer, holding up our signs and our candles, so those imprisoned could see our support. One woman in the crowd raised her fist in solidarity. I felt tears begin to rise within myself, knowing that moving people around from one barred detention center to the next is a deliberate tactic, used to cut people off from any support they might otherwise receive. The families don’t know where their loved ones are, or even if they are still alive….the uncertainty is brutal.

 

These are our neighbors, they live in South Florida just like we do. They buy food at the same stores. Their children are in our schools. Like you and I, they just want to be able to live their lives in peace. And yet, in our current reality, immigrants are hunted. 

 

Masked men, agents of the government, are snatching people up. This isn’t what Jesus stood for. Jesus was a radical who warned of the evils of unchecked power. If you look at the gospels, Jesus always, always, always sided with people who were marginalized, not the system that was oppressing them. 

 

As Unitarian Universalists, we hold love at the center of our values. Love drives us in everything we do. And because we also hold sacred our seventh principle, the interdependent web of life, of which we are all a part, this matters, deeply. Our neighbors who are immigrants make this country a better place. As Unitarian Universalists, we hold our values dear, and we express those values by taking action. One way to do that is to support our immigrant siblings who are under attack. Whether that might be in prayer, protest, funding the opposition, feeding them, or vocalizing your support to lawmakers, there is a place for you in this movement for justice. 

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CBS Miami reported

About two dozen protesters gathered outside the Broward Transitional Center immigration detention facility on Christmas Day. Holding a vigil under the slogan, “Injustice doesn’t take a holiday. Neither does resistance,” the demonstrators said they came together to call attention to what they describe as a nationwide crackdown on immigration enforcement and to stand in solidarity with people being held inside. Organized by three South Florida groups — Joyful Resistance, Resist Wilton Manors and Wilton Manors Indivisible — the vigil lasted about an hour.

 

Several protesters said they were speaking out for immigrants taken into custody during routine appointments or enforcement actions, arguing that detainees deserve due process and shouldn’t be “grabbed” from jobs or courthouses. Deputies with the Deerfield Beach Sheriff’s Office told the group they had the right to protest as long as they didn’t obstruct traffic, and organizers said they plan to return in two weeks.

“Even as fear abounds and reverberates, may I notice the life-saving, persistent presence of Love. May I be that love for others.”
— Manish Mishra-Marzetti, from UUA’s Braver/Wiser

As autumn deepens, our Healing Justice community continues to nurture connection, courage, and collective action. Below are highlights and opportunities from our October meeting — and an invitation to join us in honoring Transgender Day of Remembrance this November.

🌍 Racial Justice

Our Racial Justice team is collaborating with the Worship Team to bring a special speaker to UUFBR in March 2026 — stay tuned for details.

We also encourage participation in the ongoing Community Healing & Transformation Initiative, co-hosted by United Way and DISC. These Community Healing Action Workshops build trust across differences and turn dialogue into meaningful action for change.

📅 Upcoming Workshops

• Sunday, Oct 26, 2025

• Saturday, Nov 9, 2025

• Sunday, Nov 23, 2025

• Sunday, Dec 7, 2025 (possible location change)
  🕑 2:00–4:00 PM
  📍 First United Methodist Church, 625 NE Mizner Blvd, Boca Raton, FL 33432
  ☕ Refreshments provided

RSVP to Gwyn Williams: gwynettewilliams@unitedwaypbc.org

🕊️ Immigration Justice

At our October meeting, Amanda shared an excellent presentation on Immigrant Advocacy in Palm Beach County — thank you, Amanda!

🌆 Vigil Against the 287(g) Agreement

Join us to oppose harmful immigration enforcement policies and stand with our immigrant neighbors.
📅 Tuesday, Nov 4, 2025 | 7 PM
📍 West Palm Beach
🚗 Carpool departs from UUFBR at 5:45 PM
👉 Sign up here

🤝 Get Involved with the Florida Immigrant Coalition

Learn about statewide immigrant rights work and how to help:
secure.everyaction.com/VXH3a3aErE-WGzUGls8rxw2

Amanda serves on the South PBC Immigration Rights Committee and continues to represent UUFBR in this vital work.

Further Reading from the UUA:

• Immigrants Are People Who Have Inherent Worth and Inalienable Rights

• Immigration as a Moral Issue

💜 Reproductive Justice

Stay connected through Floridians for Reproductive Freedom: floridareprofreedom.org
Sign up for their newsletter to receive updates on state and local reproductive rights advocacy.

🩸 Service Project:
Make Travel Care Kits & Period Packs with UU Palm Beaches
📅 Saturday, Nov 1 | 1–3 PM EST
🔗 Register here

🏳️‍🌈 LGBTQ+ Justice

While the Delray Pride Intersection has been removed, Delray Beach is considering a statue honoring the LGBTQ+ community.
If you live in Delray, please attend City Council meetings or contact your representatives to express your support for visible LGBTQ+ inclusion.

✊ PEACE (People Engaged in Active Community Efforts)

Nine UUFBR members attended the Community Problems Assembly on Oct 27, where Immigration was chosen as PEACE’s new focus issue for 2025–26.  A research team — including Amanda — is forming now, and new participants are welcome!

Learn more or get involved: peacepbc.org

🗓️ Save the Date:
Nehemiah Action Assembly
📅 Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 7–9 PM
📍 Jupiter First Church

🥫 Supporting Families During the Government Shutdown

The Florida Department of Children and Families reports that while October SNAP benefits were distributed as usual, November benefits may not be issued if the federal shutdown continues — affecting 3 million Floridians, most with children.

🧭 Find local food resources: 211.org
🌽 Access statewide Farmshare maps and regional distribution sites
📞 Call 211 for assistance with food, material, or financial needs (note: some centers may refer callers to anti-abortion organizations).

If your family is not affected, please consider donating to food pantries or diaper banks to help those most in need.

🕯️ Transgender Day of Remembrance

Together, we will honor and remember the lives of our transgender siblings who have been tragically lost to violence — and reaffirm our shared commitment to justice and safety for all.

📅 Thursday, November 20, 2025
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 The Pride Center at Equality Park, 2040 N Dixie Hwy, Wilton Manors, FL 33305

🕯️ 6:30 PM – Memorial Event
Following the march, join us for an evening of reflection and solidarity including:

• Spoken word and music performances

• A shared community meal

• Space for mourning, remembrance, and hope

🔗 Register here: Transgender Day of Remembrance (link to be added when available)

This day is a powerful reminder of the ongoing struggle for transgender rights and the lives that have been tragically cut short. Let us gather as a community to honor those we’ve lost and to stand united in the fight for dignity, equality, and love.

We opened with a grounding prayer from UUA’s Braver/Wiser:

“Even as fear abounds and reverberates, may I notice the life-saving, persistent presence of Love. May I be that love for others.” – Manish Mishra-Marzetti

That call to embody love guided the evening’s work across racial, immigration, reproductive, and LGBTQ+ justice, as well as upcoming opportunities for direct community action.

🌿 Racial Justice: Building Understanding and Action

Our recent screening of Race: The Power of an Illusion sparked meaningful discussions. Feedback emphasized the importance of expanding our reach by inviting other groups earlier in the planning process. Looking ahead, we’re considering a program on intersectionality, with possible training sessions in February 2026.

Meanwhile, Linda shared her experience at the Community Healing Circle in Boca Raton. Through diverse table conversations, participants unpacked prejudice, privilege, and discrimination in powerful and personal ways. One concrete idea already emerging: restructuring Boca’s City Commission so each commissioner represents a district, rather than serving “at large”—a change already in place in Delray Beach.

✊ Immigration Justice: Standing with Our Neighbors

Amanda is leading the way with an upcoming event: Empowering Our Neighbors: A Workshop on Immigrant Advocacy in Palm Beach County
📅 October 26, 2025, 9 AM
📍 UUFBR, Parker Room

This workshop will highlight local organizations like the Florida Immigrant Coalition, ACLU of Florida, and Indivisible’s Immigrant Committee. Attendees will learn hands-on ways to support immigrant communities.

In the spirit of generosity, we’ll also be collecting food, supplies, and holiday gifts for immigrant families. Items include rice, beans, pasta, diapers, sunscreen, cooling towels, and new/unwrapped toys. Donations will go to the Guatemalan-Maya Center and Caridad Center.

Amanda also shared recent outreach in Lake Worth, where volunteers distributed Know Your Rights packets to local businesses. The urgency is real: Florida Highway Patrol is working with ICE under the state’s 287(g) program, increasing risks for immigrant communities.

Progress continues in shutting down the Everglades Detention Center, though challenges remain. Many who have been moved are not anywhere in ICE’s records – they are missing. Interfaith vigils are still held Sundays at 5:00 PM.

💜 Reproductive Justice: Protecting Healthcare Access

The Presidential Women’s Center in West Palm Beach continues its 40 Days of Light witness (9 AM – 3 PM daily). Volunteers are always welcome to escort patients seeking care. See Amanda if you want to get involved.

Upcoming virtual events:

• Sept 24, 6:00 PM – Planned Parenthood Statewide Training: Access to Care in Florida
• Sept 25, 3:00 PM – Policing Pregnancy: The History of Personhood

Both programs will help us understand the ongoing assault on reproductive rights and equip us to fight back.

🌈 LGBTQ+ Justice: Creativity Amid Challenges

While Delray’s City Commission has ended its legal fight to defend rainbow crosswalks, community members are exploring other ways to visibly honor LGBTQ+ residents. Ideas include banners, murals, plaques, and rainbow light projections on city landmarks. The conversation continues at the Commission’s October workshop.

🕊 PEACE: Listening to the Community

As part of its mission, PEACE (People Engaged in Active Community Efforts) begins each year with listening sessions. Our UUFBR session is scheduled for Sunday, Sept 28, after service. 

Listening is not just symbolic—it informs PEACE’s campaigns.

📣 Upcoming Actions You Can Join

• De-escalation Training with Corky resumes late October: Register here
• NO KINGS Protest – Stand up against authoritarianism.
  📅 Oct 18, 10 AM – 12 PM
  📍 Boca Raton City Hall, 201 W. Palmetto Park Road
  Learn more & RSVP

💫 Moving Forward in Love and Justice

Our work touches many areas—racial equity, immigrant dignity, reproductive freedom, LGBTQ+ visibility, and more—but they are bound by one shared truth: justice begins with love in action.

We invite you to join us, whether through showing up at a protest, contributing supplies, listening in community, or simply holding space for conversations that matter. Together, we can continue creating hope, resilience, and meaningful change.

✨ “May I notice the life-saving, persistent presence of Love. May I be that love for others.”

In Love,

Karen E. Matroni

Our Healing Justice Committee gathered this week in a spirit of love, courage, and action. We opened with a grounding prayer from UUA’s Braver/Wiser:

“Even as fear abounds and reverberates, may I notice the life-saving, persistent presence of Love. May I be that love for others.” — Manish Mishra-Marzetti

That theme of love-in-action carried us through powerful updates, reflections, and new calls to justice.

Women’s Equality Day

On this Women’s Equality Day, we were reminded of the decades-long struggle for the Equal Rights Amendment. Our members have been pushing for over 50 years, and the call is simple: sign on, speak up, and keep pressing forward until equality is fully recognized. Sign and Share the ERA Petition. We also encourage everyone to contact their Senators and urge them to vote NO on the Save Act by clicking here:   Write My Letter

Race: The Power of an Illusion Film Series

The Race: The Power of an Illusion series has been a moving reminder of how history shapes the present. We had 41 people at the first session and 39 at the second, both in-person and online. The conversations have been timely, energizing, and deeply relevant. Upcoming sessions:

• August 31st
• September 14th 

Rev. Edith shared this powerful Instagram reflection on doing the internal work of anti-racism: Click here to read.

Immigration Justice Updates

This continues to be a central focus of our work. Amanda shared urgent updates:

• Everglades Detention Center: Environmental harm arguments have temporarily won in court, with an order to shut down the facility, but the state will appeal. Vigils and demonstrations continue—bring water, sunscreen, mosquito spray, and hope.
• Community Action: The Guatemalan Maya Center hosted an interfaith vigil, and we stand with them in solidarity.
• Kilmar Abrego Garcia: Released from jail, then rearrested at his immigration hearing. Now facing deportation to Uganda. We will keep raising our voices.
• Upcoming Protests & Vigils:
  • Aug. 30 – Boca City Hall protest against ICE
  • Sept. 5 – Protest at FAU over their 287(g) agreement
  • Sept. 10 – Interfaith vigil (details to come)
  • Sept. 10 – BRICA Immigration Vigil at St. Gregory’s, 7:00 pm
• Calls to Action:
  • Opposing Palm Beach County’s 287(g) agreement—emails and calls to the Sheriff and legislators are essential.
  • Learn more at GroundAvelo.com about protests against Avelo Airlines transporting detained immigrants from Palm Beach International Airport.
  • Report ICE activity through the RAISE hotline: 888-600-5762.

Amanda is also exploring a Zoom learning session on 287(g) and immigration justice—stay tuned.

We are also planning a creative skit and postcard-writing campaign on Sept. 21st during coffee hour to raise awareness about ICE practices.

Reproductive Justice

No major updates this month, but our commitment to reproductive freedom remains strong.

LGBTQ+ Justice

The fight for visibility and dignity is alive in Delray Beach. The Pride rainbow crosswalks are under attack, with the federal government ordering their removal nationwide. Local communities are resisting this erasure:

• Delray Beach is holding an administrative hearing on Sept. 2 in Orlando.
• Orlando police are “guarding” the Pulse Memorial rainbow crosswalk against repainting.

For those who want to help, here are trusted organizations supporting LGBTQIA2S+ communities and mental health:

• ACLU Florida
• SAVE https://www.save.lgbt/donate
• Compass Community Center https://compasslgbtq.com/donate/ 
• Pridelines https://pridelines.harnessgiving.org/donate/?checkout=1667&campaign_id=0&selected-method=one-time&amount=50 
• Aqua Foundation https://aquafoundation.org/donate/ 
• Latinos Salud https://checkout.square.site/merchant/PHFMQ5CDZXC23/checkout/N6E4N364TEQNZOFFP6HFHLES 
• Equality Florida https://act.eqfl.org/a/donate?ms=webdonate&_ga=2.8534838.249937457.1755891452-1282883623.1755720722 
• SAGE https://give.sageusa.org/give/501252/#!/donation/checkout 
• PFLAG https://pflag.org/donate/ 

PEACE Update

Betty shared important next steps with PEACE (People Engaged in Active Community Efforts):

• Sept. 11 – Attend the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission meeting on racial equity and ICE holds. (301 N. Olive Ave., 7th Floor, West Palm Beach)
• Sept. 28 – After service at UUFBR: PEACE Listening Session with Paige Shortsleeves, PEACE Director. Each fall, PEACE begins by listening—your stories shape the campaigns we take on.

Next Healing Justice Committee Meeting 

September 23, 2025 at 7:00 pm

A Closing Reminder

Our committee embodies the truth that justice is love in action. Whether you show up at a vigil, sign a petition, make a phone call, or simply hold space for others in prayer and conversation—you are part of this movement.

Stay connected, stay hopeful, and let’s keep moving forward together!