First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh

Casa San José, founded in 2013 by Sister Janice Vanderneck, now features a team of 35 staff and 100 active volunteers to create a welcoming space for Pittsburgh’s growing Latino population. Casa San José serves as a vital bridge for 3,500 Latinos annually in Allegheny County, connecting them to essential social services that promote their well-being and support their integration into the community.  We are proud to support their mission, and CASA San Jose was voted First UU’s # 1 charity to receive our Share the Plate Support for 2025-2026. Due to the extreme circumstances of ICE interactions, CASA San Jose has established a Rapid Response Team of volunteers who respond by recording video arrests, and provide help to family members, etc. To join this team, call 412-736-7167, which is the CASA San Jose Emergency Hotline. The need is great!

  In 2025 we launched an exciting campaign to make our church more welcoming, accessible, and sustainable. Planned improvements include energy-efficient heating and cooling, upgraded lighting and sound, a modern video system, outdoor enhancements, and a long-term endowment. We invite every member to get involved. Learn more.

Caste: the Origins of Our Discontent, written by Isabel Wilkerson, provides insights into the persistence of racism in the United States. An anti-Black caste system has predominated since before the founding of our nation, limiting our vision and our lives. While unique in many ways, anti-Black racism shares characteristics with other caste systems.  In these four workshops we will develop our ability to recognize the characteristics of the anti-Black caste system, understand how and why it is perpetuated, and discuss what we must do to get ourselves and our society out of the racist caste box. Four sessions – Sundays 12 to 1:30pm – Lunch will be provided September 28, October 5, October 19, & November 2 Sponsored by the Racial Justice Task Force of First Unitarian Church. Sign up at RacialJustice@first-unitarian-pgh.org