On September 23, 2025, the Healing Justice Committee gathered once again to share updates, strengthen our commitments, and remind each other that even in difficult times, we can be bearers of love, courage, and hope.
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