Focus on Social Justice: It Is Not (Was Never) Okay

• General Interest

Meet Reggie REJG

If you’ve heard a Follenite mention “Reggie,” chances are it was not to name a person, but rather REJG, the Racial and Economic Justice Group, a subgroup of SJAT (Social Justice Action Team).

REJG is guided by its mission to work within Follen and in the broader community to advance racial, economic, and social justice and to strive for Beloved Community. REGJ aims to provide Follen with spiritual and practical resources for addressing injustices that are both historic and evergreen in the United States and to support people working for change, wherever they are in their understanding and aspirations.

Photo of the Black Lives Matter banner in front of the church
Follen’s BLM banner has publicly affirmed our commitment to racial justice since 2017.

REJG was formed by a merger between Follen Responds to Racism and UU Urban Ministry Congregational Team, based on their closely aligned goals and overlapping membership. The congregational resolution to be an intentionally antiracist congregation, multiple educational programs, volunteer engagement at the UU Urban Ministry in Roxbury, and raising our Black Lives Matter banner are highlights of what the groups accomplished.

Community Roots

At Follen, REJG members today plan the Justice Book Group and are integral to the Immigration and Sanctuary Group and other Follen initiatives related to our mission as they arise. Its ongoing relationships with justice-seeking community organizations includes support of the Association of Black Citizens of Lexington, the Lexington History Museums, Lexington United Against Antisemitism, and especially the UU Urban Ministry in Roxbury. (More to come on the UUUM.) All are welcome to join our efforts!

Join Us in the Walk for Peace

One of its longest relationships is with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute in Dorchester and participation in its major fundraiser, the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace (this year on May 10). Clementina Chéry founded the Peace Institute 31 years ago, after her 15-year-old son Louis was caught in the crossfire of a gang shootout, with the goal of providing help and healing for people affected by murder, trauma, grief, and loss. It has grown into a dynamic and far-reaching resource for violence prevention and healing.

This year will mark the 13th year of Folllenites’ participation in the walk. Look for details in future newsletters, but for now put May 10, Walk for Peace, 8:00 AM, Town Field Park, Dorchester on your calendar. Follen has a team! You can donate and/or sign up as part of Follen’s team. For more information, contact Tempe G. at rejgroup@follen.org.