Reverend John Manwell’s sermon reflects on the experiences of Unitarian Universalist ministers who answered Dr. King’s call to Selma fifty years prior, drawing from Reverend Mark Morrison Reed’s book, The Selma Awakening. These ministers, despite their liberal backgrounds, were profoundly impacted by the visceral realities of the civil rights struggle, facing violence and intimidation while working alongside Black activists for voting rights. The sermon highlights the transformative effect of this period on their lives and their faith, shifting their understanding of community, justice, and the purpose of their religious tradition. It connects the historical events of Selma, including Bloody Sunday and the subsequent march to Montgomery, to the passage of voting rights legislation. Manwell’s message further calls on the present-day congregation to embrace the ongoing work of building a truly inclusive and just “blessed community,” inspired by the courage and lessons learned from the Selma movement.