Ministers of UU churches in blue states have reached out to me, wanting to know how they can help. We are all at a loss and we search in vain for historical references that might provide instruction: do we need an underground railroad, church partnerships like the American/Transylvanian churches, are there things from Holocaust Europe to learn from?

It feels overwrought and yet the reality is this: families are making the hard decision to move out of Texas because there is legitimate risk that their children could be removed from their homes, and/or their youth will not be able to get the gender-affirming healthcare they need. And this is on top of all women in this state not being able to get abortion services or even appropriate care for a miscarriage.

This is not hyperbole. This is not overdramatic. People are moving out of Texas because here, they cannot be free, and their lives are in danger.

I’ll be talking with those who are most affected to see what they need, and what their thoughts are about how other churches can help. But right now, we are still in the fight. The Texas Legislature will be in session through May 29. (And the governor can call for a special session after that if he wants.) For those of us who are here in Texas, the rest of May will be intense. The clock is ticking, both for bad legislation and good. And our activists who have been going to the Capitol on a regular basis are exhausted. They need reinforcements.

Now is the time to stay connected with the Texas UU Justice Ministry to know what is needed on any given day, knowing that it changes rapidly. On one of those days when they say we really need people to come to the Capitol to be present, see if that can be a day you go down, especially if you haven’t been present this session. If they say they need cards dropped (this is a need when a bill is in committee, not when it goes to the floor for a vote), see if you can drop by the Capitol early just to do that, before you go to work or start your normal day. If they say, “please call your representative/senator,” especially if you’ve never done that, pick up the phone.

I say this not just because your involvement is needed, but because I know it will help you. We are living through an unbelievable time. I worry about what this is doing to our spirits, our hearts, our souls. But I know this – to do any of these things – make a phone call, drop a card, go to the Capitol – it is care for our spirits, hearts, souls. These actions fight back against despair, they let the others in the fight know they are not alone, and they do make a difference.

Last Friday, as I sat in the gallery when they brought forward SB 14, the bill that would ban gender-affirming care for trans youth, I had the benefit of sitting in front of a woman who has been an activist in Texas for decades. She is heartbroken at what social conservatives are attempting to do, yet still, she marveled at what she saw, telling us, “Look at all the people here. The people wearing purple (those of us supporting trans healthcare). The trans flags on the desks. You wouldn’t have seen this 10 years ago. This is wonderful.”

Be part of the wonderful.