MUUSAN: What's It All About?
The Maine Unitarian Universalist State Advocacy Network (MUUSAN) is a statewide advocacy and public policy network anchored in our Unitarian Universalist faith and animated by its principles. This legislative ministry links Maine's 26 Unitarian Universalist congregations to promote just, humane laws and policies in keeping with our UUA Seven Principles. We welcome as partners and collaborators all those who share our values.
In 2012, Maine became the 17th state to create a State Advocacy Network. At work today in 25 states, SANs are the fastest-growing arm of Unitarian Universalism nationwide, and for good reason.
UU congregations and individuals are creating Advocacy Networks, including MUUSAN, because they realize that, vital as they are, worship services, good works, and study groups are not enough. In a denomination that is characterized by social activism, we are called to bring our values to bear in the public arena: in the State Legislature, the news media, the development of policy, and the pursuit of justice.
In 2012, Maine became the 17th state to create a State Advocacy Network. At work today in 25 states, SANs are the fastest-growing arm of Unitarian Universalism nationwide, and for good reason.
UU congregations and individuals are creating Advocacy Networks, including MUUSAN, because they realize that, vital as they are, worship services, good works, and study groups are not enough. In a denomination that is characterized by social activism, we are called to bring our values to bear in the public arena: in the State Legislature, the news media, the development of policy, and the pursuit of justice.
The Grassroots Role of State Advocacy Networks
Unitarian Universalist Association former President Rev. Peter Morales says, "Our State Advocacy Networks are powerful agents for justice. They stand strongly for the values of our faith and comprise an essential component of our national effort.
"The grassroots actions of our networks can make a dramatic
impact. As UUs work on the issues of the day in their
communities, meeting their legislators and neighbors from across the state, their experience of our faith changes and deepens. Sometimes the world changes, too."
Across the nation, UUs are finding that State Advocacy Networks spur congregational growth. They add value to being a UU and deepen denominational identity through publicly seeking justice. Developing collaborative power to influence legislation and public policy, State Advocacy Networks meld UUs, kindred spirits and partner organizations into statewide communities of effective voices for justice.
CUUSAN, the Coalition of Unitarian Universalist State Action Networks, is a central meeting place for existing UU State Action Networks (SANs) and newly forming SANs. They seek to give voice to UU State Action Networks and support their efforts in upholding UU principles through social action.
"The grassroots actions of our networks can make a dramatic
impact. As UUs work on the issues of the day in their
communities, meeting their legislators and neighbors from across the state, their experience of our faith changes and deepens. Sometimes the world changes, too."
Across the nation, UUs are finding that State Advocacy Networks spur congregational growth. They add value to being a UU and deepen denominational identity through publicly seeking justice. Developing collaborative power to influence legislation and public policy, State Advocacy Networks meld UUs, kindred spirits and partner organizations into statewide communities of effective voices for justice.
CUUSAN, the Coalition of Unitarian Universalist State Action Networks, is a central meeting place for existing UU State Action Networks (SANs) and newly forming SANs. They seek to give voice to UU State Action Networks and support their efforts in upholding UU principles through social action.