The Rev. Dawn Cooley, Justice Center Coordinator
One of the questions that comes up pretty often is “What happens to the Justice Center now that we are starting the Kentucky UU Justice Action Network (KUUJAN)?”
The answer is both simple and complex! I see the Justice Center as a 3-legged stool which encompasses the Justice Coordinating Council, KUUJAN, and the old Farmhouse. The TJUC Justice Center Coordinator (me!) is the connective thread that runs through all three legs. So that is the simple answer.
It gets a little more complex as we get into the details of what this looks like. The Justice Center has an internal component – the Justice Coordinating Council that is made up of representatives from the 3 justice-related committees of the church: Social Justice Committee, International Justice Committee, and the Green Sanctuary Committee. Each of these committees have their own missions within the congregation. As the Justice Center Coordinator, I facilitate these meetings and conversations, but they have been working together since before my arrival and will continue to do so.
The new Kentucky UU Justice Action Network (KUUJAN) is an external component of the congregation’s Justice Center that is a network of Unitarian Universalists in the state of Kentucky. If you haven’t already checked out some of what KUUJAN is up to, I recommend checking out the website! We have a lot going on, from working on democratic justice, racial justice and figuring out how to enunciate and embody the values of this new organization! As the KUUJAN coordinator, I facilitate these meetings (I have a lot of meetings!) and help drive the direction of the organization.
And finally, the building you have referred to as the Farmhouse is the physical manifestation of the TJUC Justice Center! The three office spaces in the space-formerly-known-as-the-Farmhouse are all to be used by nonprofit organizations that work for justice. Currently, KUUJAN and Kentucky Interfaith Power & Light are in the building, and as I type the small office is in search of a tenant. The hope is that folks will start referring to this building as “The Justice Center”.
And in case you are wondering, the Dorzback Chapel is absolutely a part of the Justice Center. How? Because TJUC is a Welcoming Congregation and this is one of the spaces that is available for same-sex weddings. Additionally, the Dorzback Chapel is also used for 12-step groups, and others that are working to address addiction as a justice issue. And, finally, the Dorzback Chapel can also be used by other Justice Center renters for in-person workshops and events (when they are finally able to resume).
If you have any questions about any of this, please don’t hesitate to ask me! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate being a part of the TJUC community, and working on all this with you. It is an exciting time!