Who We Are
New York Unitarian Universalist Justice - A State Advocacy Network
Our Vision
As UUs, we envision a Beloved Community that cultivates systems based in justice, equity, and compassion where all New Yorkers thrive
Our Mission
Building Justice and Power in New York together we: 
​
Connect Unitarian Universalists with one another and with partners who share our values
Learn from those most engaged in the struggle for justice and follow their lead
Activate collective power to advocate for a just New York
Our History
NYUUJ is the Unitarian Universalist successor to Interfaith Impact of NYS, an interdenominational organization founded in 1995. Interfaith Impact forged a record as a progressive moral voice in Albany. Today, NYUUJ lives into this legacy and functions as New York's UU state advocacy network.
NYUUJ Staff
Rev. Ashley DeTar Birt (she/her) is the Program Manager for NYUUJ. She also serves as the Co-Director of The Center for Jubilee Practice and is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Ashley obtained her Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, an MA in Theater Arts from the University of Pittsburgh, and a BA in Creative Writing from Carnegie Mellon University. An outspoken advocate for youth ministry and social justice, Ashley has worked as a youth leader, Children, Youth and Family Pastor, and artistic and justice minister. She has participated in a variety of justice based committees and task forces in her denomination and her broader community. Ashley lives in New York City with her wife Emily, who is a UU minister.
NYUUJ Board of Directors
Rev. James Galasinski (he/him) began his ministry with UU Church of Canton, NY in 2016. He studied theology and philosophy while pursuing his undergraduate degree in jazz studies. James received a master of divinity degree from Meadville Lombard, a Unitarian Universalist theological school in Chicago, after which he served the First Unitarian Church of Albuquerque as ministerial resident for two years. James enjoys playing music, biking, and hiking with his two sons, Miles and Oskar, and his wife, Ulrike.
Rev. Kimberly Quinn Johnson (she/her) serves as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork, on Long Island in Bridgehampton. Kimberly serves on the Organizing Collective Board for BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism). Kimberly also serves as co-chair of the UUA Appointments Committee and is a member of the Steering Committee for UU Class Conversations, and the Board of Trustees of the UU Women's Federation. She gets to work at the nexus of faith formation, youth ministry, and racial justice as a Program Leader with the UU College of Social Justice. And she's likely to be spending her summer working with youth through UU Summer Seminary, FaithLab, or Thrive, leadership experiences for youth of color.
Peggy Sherman (she/her) (Treasurer) is a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Albany, where she has served in a variety of leadership roles, and a past board member of Interfaith Impact of New York State. She grew up in Irondequoit and returned to New York to earn an MBA at Cornell University. Before she retired, Peggy held senior level public policy and financial management positions in several New York State agencies as well as the State Assembly.
​
Rev. Dr. Michael Tino (they/them) has served the Church of the Larger Fellowship as part of their Lead Ministry Team since 2020. Michael was born and raised in and around New York City, where they became an activist for justice and change at an early age. Michael has served Unitarian Universalism in numerous capacities, on UUA staff as well as on several local and national committees. From 2007-2022, Michael was the Minister of the UU Fellowship of Northern Westchester in Mount Kisco. Michael lives in Peekskill with their husband, Eric, and daughter, Nora. They enjoy gardening, cooking, and travel.
​