Social Justice Coordinator Andrew Batcher has worked as a community organizer and activist for more than 20 years, working in the peace movement, environmental movement, anti-racism, education, economic justice and against hate. For the past four years he has worked in the Potomac Partnership congregations, first at Fairfax then at Cedar Lane, and joining River Road in 2024. 

Some highlights of his work include, 

• Spearheading monthly food drives that were originally aimed at pandemic relief

• Supporting pro-democracy get out the vote activities

• Providing de-escalation and faith support for LGBTQIA+ activists and allies in response to book banning efforts and hostility at school board meetings and drag story hours

• Organizing a panel teach-in on critical race theory called “Teaching Truth; Putting Students’ First,” when critical race theory was being publicly politicized 

• Organizing the “Unstoppable Stories” banned books festival

• Supporting events for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Andrew’s work focuses on building community partnerships for social justice action and inviting members of the congregation into continuous cycles of action and reflection that deepen their work and its spiritual impact. He particularly tries to identify how our congregations can build a meaningful social justice ministry through timely strategic responses to the issues of the day. As a staff position serving both Cedar Lane and the Potomac Partnership, Andrew is interested in developing this approach in both the congregation and the region. He also practices exercise, meditation, and poetry as a way to spiritually center.

Andrew currently also works as the Social Justice Coordinator at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax. Some of his highlights there include spearheading a monthly food drive aimed at pandemic relief, working on safety and support for LGBTQIA+ activists and allies at the Fairfax School Board, and organizing a panel teach-in on critical race theory called “Teaching Truth; Putting Students’ First” that was attended by over 700 people across the country.

Andrew’s work focuses on three pillars. Building partnerships for social justice action, inviting activists in the congregation into continuous cycles of action and reflection that deepen their work and its spiritual impact, and strategic timely response to emerging controversies and crises. As a staff position serving both Cedar Lane and the Potomac Partnership, Andrew is interested in developing this approach in both the congregation and the region.