| Greetings!
Recent events in Knoxville, Tennessee were shocking to all of us. Rev. Bill Sinkford, UUA President, issued this statement yesterday which conveys MUUSJA's sentiments as well:
"It will take time for Unitarian Universalists to mourn and to heal. But let me assure you that we will not change our beliefs or compromise our demands for social justice. Fear will not prevent us from standing on the side of love, and we will continue to open our doors and our
hearts to all people.
This Sunday, just like any other, more than one
thousand Unitarian Universalist congregations will be open for business, and our business is to welcome the stranger, to love our neighbor, to nurture the spirits of our people, and to help heal our wounded world."
Monday evening a solemn group of UUs gathered on the steps of First Universalist in Uptown Minneapolis, sharing our concerns and a message of compassion and perserverance. We know that the UU Congregation of Duluth held a similar service, as did UUs all across the country.
The Thomas Jefferson District of the UUA has established a relief fund to support Knoxville UUs to provide ministry, spiritual care and practical assistance. Please contribute as you are able.
While grief, shock, sadness and anger may linger, MUUSJA continues our vital work of justice in the world. We will not be dissuaded. The call for a peaceable and more just world is, if anything, all the more clear today.
In faith,
-Ralph Wyman
MUUSJA Director/Organizer
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| MUUSJA & UU Action News: |
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 AUW/MUUSJA Voter Registration DriveSaturdays - August 2, 9 & 16
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Minneapolis Urban League
2100 Plymouth Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55411
Parking is on east side of building
Join the Voting Rights working group in a non-partisan voter registration drive in partnership with the Urban League and Election Day Community Coalition. We hope to get at least 150 UU's joining the effort, in honor of the Minnesota Sesquicentennial and 150 years of Universalism in the Twin Cities. Training at 11:00 am.
We'll go out in small groups to register voters Noon-4:00 pm. If you can't stay till 4, join us for as long as you can! Carpooling available from First Universalist, 3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis at 10:30 to arrive at the Urban League at 11:00. FFI: Contact Carol Johnson at 612-825-3322 or cjkjohnson@peoplepc.com.
 AUW/MUUSJA Voter Rights MeetingWednesday, August 6 7:00 - 9:00 pm
First Universalist Church
3400 Dupont Ave S
Minneapolis.
Monthly meeting of the Voter Rights working group. Finalize plans for Stealing America: Vote by Vote premiere in Minneapolis (Aug 29-Sept 4, @ Lagoon), other non-partisan voter integrity work timed to coincide with media opportunities that will relate to the Twin Cities RNC. Also, plans for Sept-Oct voter registation drive with the Election Day Community Coalition.
MUUSJA Board Meeting
Thursday, August 14
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
First Unitarian Society
900 Mount Curve, Minneapolis
All are welcome to attend and to join in conversation at our monthly board meeting. We have two special guests, Flo Golod, who is helping us with fundraising, and Beth Zemsky, noted Social Change theorist who is leading MUUSJA's next major Leadership Training (late fall this year!). Contact Ralph at 612-998-6624 or rwmuusja@gmail.com for more information or to request an agenda.
EcoMinds at the State Fair!
August 21-Sept 1
9:00 am-9:00 pm
Progress Center Building
Cosgrove @ Randall
State Fairgrounds, St. Paul, MN
Volunteers needed to staff the C3 energy efficiency display inside the EcoExperience. Last year over 350,000 people visited the EcoExperience & EcoMinds contributed greatly to the fun and success. Several UU congregations have committed to providing volunteers this year. Four hour shifts preferred. Training available!  Tee Shirts! Raise your voice by buying a Standing on the Side of Love
Tee shirt. Plenty of shirts still available!
Shop here to support the UUA and make a statement when you attend public witness events, rallies, or whenever you want to express our message of love and hope! |
| Allied Social Justice News |
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Benefit Concert
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Monday, August 4
Doors open 6:30, concert at 7:00 p.m.
St. Joan of Arc Church gymnasium
4537 Third Avenue South, Minneapolis
Concert benefits the Peace Island Conference: Hope in a Time of Crisis, September 2-3 (Conference site: Concordia University) part of alternative activities scheduled during the Republican National Convention.
Features the Twin Cities premiere of "Bridge Over Troubled Water," a live album recreation of Simon & Garfunkel's legendary 1970's release. First live performance played to sell-out crowds and rave reviews in St. Cloud. Using strings, horn and band, Collective Unconscious will perform the hit songs "Cecilia," "The Boxer," "El Condor Pasa" and the immortal title track. Opening acts Mary Jane Alm, Ann Michaels and Prudence Johnson.
KatrinaRitaVille Express
Tour
Organizing meetings Mondays
Aug 11, 18 & 25
6:00 - 7:30 pm
3800 37th Avenue S,
Minneapolis
Looking for a non-partisan way to respond to the RNC visit Aug 1-4? This former FEMA trailer from the Gulf Coast will be in the Twin Cities to bring awareness of failed government policies as they relate to issues of race, environment, water quality, infrastrucutre and more.
Multiple events are being developed - including a parking lot event at First Universalist Church of Minneapolis and participation in the Sept 1 Peace March.
Come to these planning meetings to help support site visits, design outreach, music, visual arts, voter registration drive and more. This is the tailer that visited UUA GA this June. Read a recent UUSC blog post about the trailer and ongoing Gulf Coast rebuilding efforts. MUUSJA is one of many supporters of this stop on the KRVExpress tour.
Summer Social Justice Book Club
Tues Aug 26
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Green Institute Rooftop Garden
2801 21st Avenue S., Minneapolis
Join the Alliance for Metropolitan Stability and Headwaters Foundation for Justice for a Social Justice Summer Book Club! Forget the light summer reading, our first book is Tools for Radical Democracy by Joan Minieri and Paul Getsos. July 30: discussion of parts 1 & 2: Building Power and Base. August 26: discussion of parts 3 & 4: Campaigns and Strategy. Limited number of free copies available (tell them you're from MUUSJA)! RSVP and pick up your book from Headwater's Jennifer Vogel. |
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Help say No to Proposition 8! |
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Now that gay and lesbian couples across California are joyfully entering into legal marriage, an effort to make these marriages unconstitutional in the State of California has been put on the November 2008 ballot; Proposition 8.
The UULM Action Network is a member of the Equality for All coalition, and part of the broad effort to defeated proposition 8. UULM-CA is also part of the UU State Advocacy Network - an alliance of state social justice organizations including MUUSJA and supported by the UUSC.
The new UULM Action Network Political Action Campaign (PAC) focuses specifically on interfaith organizing. These funds are used to organize different communities of faith across California to say "No" to Proposition 8, and "Yes" to marriage equality. Please Donate Generously to the UULM Action Network PAC, and help protect the freedom to marry for all. Minnesotan's may not be able to have our LGBT marriages recognized here (yet!), but we know that LGBT couples have already, and will continue to traveled to California to celebrate legal recognition there as a first step towards full equality.
FYI - We will profile Florida and Arizona campaigns soon! |
| Thanks to our Funders and Friends! |
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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 ralph@muusja.org.
The Prairie Star District of the UUA acts as our fiscal sponsor. We are grateful for their support and assistance. |
| Action of Immediate Witness: Living Wage |
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Each year at General Assembly, participants select several issues needing prompt attention for social justice action. |
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In 2008, six Actions of Immediate Witness (AIWs) were passed. Over the months ahead, we'll feature will each of the AIWs.
Today we'll examine the campaign to raise the minimum wage:
Last week marked the second anniversary of the first federal minimum wage increase in ten years. However, the raise to $6.55 this year and $7.25 next year is still not sufficient to end poverty.
An Action of Immediate Witness to Raise the Federal Minimum Wage to $10 to 2010 was passed at GA calling on Unitarian Universalist congregational leaders to educate themselves about poverty and requirements for a minimum standard of living, to sign the Faith Leaders Letter to Congress, and to sponsor Living Wage Days on the weekend of Jan. 10-11, 2009. Please set the date!
UUA President William G. Sinkford has signed on to the Faith Leaders Letter that will go to the new Congress in January advocating for a new minimum wage of $10 in 2010.
He asks that all UU ministers, board presidents, social justice chairs and other congregational leaders who believe that "Rewarding an honest day's labor with a just living wage is the right thing to do and advocating for fair compensation is our religious duty," join him by signing the letter at www.letjusticeroll.org/faithletter.html. | |
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