Nico Van Ostrand is a Youth and Emerging Adult Ministries Specialist with the UUA. In today's episode, Nico emphasizes the interconnectedness of diverse justice movements and the deep need for intergenerational activism in community. Whether engaging on a large scale or a very personal level, Nico believes that social justice should be joyful, even as it is challenging and sometimes painful. Join us as we explore the deep interdependence between social justice and faith, and what justice work can look like when we hold love at the center. How can Unitarian Universalism address white supremacy culture and create a more inclusive and justice-centered faith community? By finding our people, and following our joy.

01:55 Relationship to Unitarian Universalism

04:15 Early Engagement in Social Justice

07:33 College Activism and Finding Purpose

10:53 The Power of Community and Collective Action

13:53 Attitude and Approach in Activism

16:55 Balancing Theory and Praxis

22:58 Interconnectedness of Justice Movements

23:27 Finding Ways to Engage in Activism

31:04 The Importance of Relationships in Justice Work

36:50 The Joy and Fulfillment of Justice Work

40:51 Impact of Disengaging from Justice Work

43:09 The Importance of Joy and Connection

44:42 Navigating Racism in Beloved Communities

47:44 Intergenerational and Multicultural Approaches in Unitarian Universalism

53:36 Why Get Involved?

56:52 Love is at the Center

59:01 The Use of Ritual

01:00:52 Activism Informing Faith

01:05:08 The Intersection of Filipino Community and Unitarian Universalism

01:08:56 Find Your People

Sparks of Justice is a podcast hosted by Leslie Mills with the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA). The first season consists of six episodes interviewing UU activists from Minnesota, exploring each person's path to getting involved in social justice, resources for overcoming heartbreak, and the rewards of being involved in movements for change.

Lena K. Gardner is the executive director of Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (BLUU). She shares her journey of finding community and activism within Unitarian Universalism, her call to social justice work, and the importance of anger in creating change. Lena also talks about the challenges and heartbreak involved in social justice work, and how she finds strength and hope in the power of collective action. The conversation explores the themes of power, liberation, and the importance of community. Lena emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-determination as sources of power, and the need to challenge societal systems that perpetuate inequality. She encourages individuals to cultivate a healthy sense of mistrust and to envision and create a better world. 00:00 Finding Unitarian Universalism 05:37 Getting Started in Social Justice 09:51 Justice Work in Personal and Professional Life 13:35 The Transformative Power of Anger and Buddhism 19:20 If Not Justice, Then What? 24:59 Navigating Heartbreak and Despair in the Pursuit of Justice 28:39 A Taste of Power 32:21 Believing in the Possibility of Collective Liberation 39:43 Love as Power 49:20 The Limitations of Making Others Care 57:08 The Power of Love and Challenging Shame 01:05:03 Supporting MUUSJA Sparks of Justice is a podcast hosted by Leslie Mills with the Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA). The first season consists of six episodes interviewing UU activists from Minnesota, exploring each person's path to getting involved in social justice, resources for overcoming heartbreak, and the rewards of being involved in movements for change.