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Guided by Unitarian Universalist principles, TXUUJM educates & organizes member congregations, and partners with sympathetic organizations in order to advocate effectively for public policies that:

  • Uphold the worth and dignity of every person;

  • Further justice, equity, and compassion in human relations;

  • Ensure the use of the democratic process;

  • Protect religious freedom; and,

  • Promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence.

  • Accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.

Introduction to TXUUJM

The motto of the Texas UU Justice Ministry is: Bending Texas towards Justice. Gabe Gelb says “I hope it expresses your own belief in our First UU Principle: ‘We support and affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person.’”

The Rev. Erin Walter is the executive director in Austin. The TXUUJM Advisory Board, consisting of member representatives from participating churches, selects focus issues for each year and legislative session.

Non-Partisan work to protect democracy

Reach out to encourage voters by postcard, phone banking and block-walking

TXUUJM provides a vehicle for our congregations to express and advocate for statewide public policies that uphold Unitarian Universalist values. This is the meaning of social justice: attempting to make systemic changes that lift up the disadvantaged.

TXUUJM and Transforming Hearts Collective Team Provide Access to Transgender Inclusion course and Worship Service

The Texas UU Justice Ministry is thrilled to officially announce our new partnership with the Transforming Hearts Collective! Through this partnership, Texas UU congregations will have lifetime access to the Transgender Inclusion in Congregations course, for use this year or any time. The program also comes with a worship service, put together by Transforming Hearts leader Alex Kapitan and TXUUJM Minister and Executive Director Rev. Erin Walter.

One leader from each congregation may fill out this form to get started with access to the curriculum and worship materials.

TXUUJM is deeply grateful to Live Oak UU Church Endowment and to the North Texas UU Congregations for funding the curriculum, and to Transforming Hearts for working with us to shape this partnership! Appreciation also goes to San Gabriel UU Fellowship (Georgetown) and Northwoods UU Church (The Woodlands) for their contributions.

Role of Emerson in forming TXUUJM

TXUUJM received its 501(c)(3) status in 2014. The organization, similar to UU “legislative ministries” or “state advocacy networks” in other states, was started when three Emersonians (Rev. Mark Edmiston-Lange, Larry Huelbig and Gabe Gelb), after receiving Board of Trustees approval, organized a meeting in Austin that launched TXUUJM.

Emerson has two advisory board members to represent us in guiding priorities for TXUUJM; if you are interested in serving, please contact Emerson’s Board of Trustees.

Financial Support

Financial support is provided through Emerson’s Share the Plate Program, and you can help by sending a check to this 501 (c) (3) organization:

Our mailing address is:
TXUUJM
24348 Cherry Spring Dr.
San Antonio, TX 78255