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Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance
 
The Connection: Events, Announcements and News
June 5, 2008
Greetings!
Welcome to MUUSJA's graphical newsletter!  For many of you, this will be your first issue of "The Connection" our bi-weekly e-mail which replaces the plain text "E-update" you've been receiving up till now.
 
We hope this new format will provide more information in an easier, more organized format.  And remember, MUUSJA is always looking for UU and related social justice events and actions to share with our readers: e-mail suggestions to [email protected]!
 
Thanks for supporting MUUSJA and social justice in Minnesota!
In This Issue
MUUSJA & UU Action News
Allied Social Justice Events
Senate Climate Change Action
National UU Effort: Move the House on Climate Change!
MUUSJA & UU Action News:
 
Inga Johannesen Chalice Logo Repro Rights/Sacred Choices Year End Party
Wednesday, June 18
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Sea Salt Restaurant
Minnehaha Falls Park Building
Minneapolis
 
Cap off a busy year for the Reproductive Rights/Sacred Choices team at the delightful Sea Salt Restaurant. Get ready for C.H.O.I.C.E.S. 2008-2009:
C/Continue relationship with RCRC and MUUSJA.
H/Host events.
O/Outreach.
I/Inform about activism.
C/Coalition building [C/Cake!]
E/Esprit de Coeur/Encourage and nurture.
S/SEAT!! (Sexuality Education Advocacy Training)
 
RSVP and details to Sara: [email protected]
 

Inga Johannesen Chalice Logo EcoMinds Summer PotLuck and Planning
Wednesday, June 18
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Bob Friedman's home
3253 46th Ave. South, N.E. corner of 46th And 33rd St., Minneapolis
 
Social time, sharing of food, and getting ready for a productive and engaging 2008-2009 program year.  Bob will offer a grill for veggie grillables (Tofu kabobs? Fresh ear corn?...a delicious way to lower your carbon footprint is a vegetarian diet!).  Or bring a salad, hot dish or desert to pass.
If you volunteered to be an EcoMinds "Buddy" to another congregation this year, please have your surveys done in time for June 18th. Thanks!
RSVP or for more info: [email protected]  612-998-6624

Inga Johannesen Chalice LogoMUUSJA Board Meeting
Thursday, June 19
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Unity Unitarian
732 Holly Ave, St. Paul
 
All are welcome to attend and to join in conversation at our monthly board meeting.  Preparations for the annual cycle of proposals for Issue Working Groups to be presented/voted on by membership at the fall 2008 meeting, planning for MUUSJA-wide Leadership Training Event, General Assembly and more.  Contact Ralph at 612-998-6624 or [email protected] for more information or to request an agenda.

  
Inga Johannesen Chalice Logo General Assembly: Great Training Opportunity!
 
This year's UUSC sponsored pre-conference training will focus on organizing to respond to the Iraq war as we head into a major election season.  Skills learned here are highly transferrable to organizing around other social change issues!
 
Details:  Activist Training to End the War in Iraq
When:   Wed, June 25, 2008, 9am - 4pm
Where:  Hyatt Regency Pier 66, Fort Lauderdale Florida
What:    It's a great time to step up our organizing and advocacy against the unjust and immoral war in Iraq. Learn how UUs can raise our voices and carry a message for peace into the 2008 elections and beyond. Join UUSC and the UUA for a day-long activist training before General Assembly. Participants will get updated policy information and practical tools and skills for taking effective action.
The UUSC is hosting the training free of charge, but space is limited. For more information, and to register please contact Michelle Rudy at [email protected].
Allied Social Justice News
 
Roundtable: Racial and Environmental Justice
Wednesday, June 11
Noon - 1:30 PM
Alliance For Metro Stability
2525 E Franklin Avenue, Suite 200
Minneapolis, MN
 
Racial justice is a key issue that must be dealt with more prominently in the future of the environmental movement. Learn from leaders in the environmental justice field about what the current work is and how you can increase your knowledge and ability to integrate these practices into your work.
 
Our panel of includes: Karen Monahan, Environmental Justice Organizer for Environmental Justice Advocates of Minnesota; Dr. Cecilia Martinez, Senior Policy Fellow and Faculty at the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy; and Cesia Kearns, Conservation Organizer for the Northstar Chapter of the Sierra Club.
Free, but RSVP required to 612-332-4471.
 
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Metro CERTs/C3
Wednesday, June 11
7:00 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church
1900 Nicollet Avenue, Minneapolis
 
The Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) Project, started in 2003, is made up of community members who share a vision for Minnesota's future: strong communities, local jobs, and clean and reliable energy from wind, biomass, and solar power.  Metro CERTs is working with C3 (Congregations Caring for Creation) to organize efforts among people of faith in the Twin Cities.  MUUJSA's EcoMinds are actively involved in C3...come learn about this clean energy work!
 
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PFund's Racial Equity Initiative Kick-Off Party
Friday, June 13
6:30 PM
Pi Bar and Restaurant
2532 25th Ave. S., Minneapolis
 
Philanthrofund, a national foundation strengthening GLBT communities, is based right here in Minnesota.  Help PFund as they launch the Racial Equity Initiative to build the organizational capacity and support the leadership of GLBT people of color and the organizations and projects that serve them.  Tickets are $25 and include refreshments, dance lessons and more.  As a bonus, your ticket price will be matched by a challenge grant!

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Rainbow Chalice LogoTwin Cities Pride Picnic
Sunday, June 22
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Como Park, east Picnic Pavilion
St. Paul
 
Kick off Pride Week with an old fashioned family picnic in the park.  Twin Cities Pride Festival provides all the food and drink!  FFI visit Twin Cities Pride 
 
Several UU congregations are planning booths and/or a spot in the Pride Parade -- June 28 & 29.  Contact your church office now to help out!
Thank you for your support of MUUSJA and the many justice-making events in our state!  Please let MUUSJA know of upcoming events that may be of interest to our readers by e-mailing suggestions to us.
 
In faith,

Ralph Wyman, Director/Organizer
MUUSJA - MN UU Social Justice Alliance

US Senate considers "Climate Security"

Lighten Your CO2 Load

Right now the US Senate is debating the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act.  While this bill does offer some progress on global climate change, many including the UUA and UUSC believe it does not go far enough to address the world's challenges from warming.
 
What is needed is legislation which includes:
 
* Science-based pollution reductions of at least 80% by 2050
* Reductions in global warming pollution from all sectors
* Making polluters pay for most all of their carbon emissions
* Protecting consumers by assisting low income rate payers and supporting conservation
* Investing in transit, green jobs training, and renewable-energy technology.
 
Contact your Senators to let them know you support strong, science based climate change legislation that includes economic justice.
 
You can visit Clean Water Action to use their instant action page.  Their message aligns well with our UU values and goals.

Or click to find your Senators to contact them with your own personal message.
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Thanks to our Funders and Friends!

MUUSJA wishes to thank our Funders.  We are supported in part by the UU Service Committee, the UU Funding Program, and First Universalist Foundation.
Support the UUSC
Learn about the UUFP
 
We are sustained by our memberships, gifts and by congregational giving.  For membership, gift and  congregational giving information, please contact Ralph Wyman at 612-998-6624 or [email protected]
 
The Prairie Star District of the UUA acts as our fiscal sponsor.  We are grateful for their support and assistance!

 
Cooperating to move the US House on Climate Change, too! 

MUUSJA has been working closely with the UUA, the UUSC and with UU state advocacy groups similar to MUUSJA to get companion "Cap & Trade" legislation moving in the US House.

Currently there is a letter being circulated among Representatives urging the kind of action UUs want on climate change.  Action that includes our call for equity and economic justice in any global warming legislation.
 
MUUSJA and our UU partners have set a goal of gaining 100 signers to the so-called "Waxman letter" supporting meaningful and just legislation.  Nine have signed on in just the past week, getting us up to 74 representatives now.
 
We need your help to grow that number.
 
Representatives Ellison and McCollum in Minnesota have signed the letter.  We believe that Reps Jim Ramstad and Tim Walz are likely to become signers if they hear from enough constituents -- they co-sponsor one or more climate change bills already.  All other MN Reps need to hear from UUs, too!
 
Please contact your House member ASAP to ask them to sign on to the Waxman "Dear Colleague" letter on climate change.  Their staffer will know what your call is about -- there is plenty of action happing on this issue right now!
 
If you live in Rep. Ellison or Rep. McCollum's districts, feel free to call and thank them, too.
 
It's easy to find the phone numbers for who represents you.  Give them a call.
 
THANK YOU!  Together we are working with UU activists in states across the US to get meaningful, and just, climate change legislation moving in the US House!