In partnership, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson (UUJXN) and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tupelo (UUCT) are seeking to create a shared ministry to grow and sustain our congregations and establish a new foundation for liberal religious exploration in Mississippi. By joining resources, UUJXN and UUCT are seeking to hire the Reverend Edith A. Love as their shared half-time traveling minister. This will provide each congregation one in-person joint service and one remote joint service per month along with a religious leader to guide our growth. But, we cannot do this alone! We need your financial help to get started!

Our churches are rare sanctuaries for the marginalized and vital places of refuge for diverse and progressive voices in a very conservative state.

We are seeking $24,000 towards one year of ministry to supplement what each congregation is able to afford, with a push goal of $48,000 to fund two years.

It isn’t easy being a religiously progressive person in the deep South. It’s even harder to be a minority or LGBTQ+. Congregations like Tupelo and Jackson provide a safe haven in the ever-evolving culture war in the South which includes homophobia, transphobia, racism and hatred. Mississippi has four small UU congregations offering liberal religious learning and open-minded community.

Founded in 1951 in Mississippi’s capital city, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Jackson (UUJXN) has long been active in the struggle for civil rights and equity. In 2019, the congregation, with a current membership of 35, was given ownership of a former water bottling plant. UUJXN holds weekly services in a building on the property and plans extensive renovations. The congregation is focused on growth and community outreach in its majority African-American city.

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tupelo (UUCT) serves the north Mississippi city. The group of about a dozen members meets at the local reform synagogue, and they are visibly supportive of progressive causes in the area, such as Tupelo PRIDE, Oxford Pride, and the interfaith food bank.

Each of our congregations has lost many long-time members over the past few years, with some passing away during Covid. Each congregation is held together by a small group of dedicated and hard-working volunteers.

In partnership, UUJXN and UUCT seek to create a shared ministry to grow and sustain our congregations and establish a new foundation for liberal religious exploration in Mississippi. By joining resources, UUJXN and UUCT seek to hire the Reverend Edith A. Love as their shared half-time traveling minister. This will provide each congregation one in-person joint service and one remote joint service per month along with a religious leader to guide our growth.

But, we cannot do this alone. We need your financial help to get started.

Our churches are rare sanctuaries for the marginalized and vital places of refuge for diverse and progressive voices in a very conservative state.

We are seeking $24,000 towards one year of ministry to supplement what each congregation is able to afford, with a push goal of $48,000 to fund two years.