| Greetings!
This issue is jam-packed with activities and news. Fall is always a busy time in UU communities, and an election year is no exception!
I want to personally invite all of you to two special MUUSJA events. The first is our Fall General Meeting on October 19. Join us as we find out whether the votes we cast in November will be counted accurately, and if all who can vote will have access to polls and ballots. This is one of the most underreported stories of the year!
The MUUSJA board and I are incredibly excited about our November social justice training event. But let me be clear, this event is not just for 'social justice' types, or people in leadership roles.
This event will be a day of building energy, gaining insight, and beginning to draw a roadmap to a new future for liberal religionists. Sound a bit grand? It's not! Our training consultant, Beth Zemsky, has been studying and leading social change organizations for 25 years.
And she will be sharing the exciting results of her recent research into "movement moments" and through a facilitated day with us, MUUSJA will begin to plan how UUs across Minnesota can become active in the coming wave of positive, progressive change.
Please register early! Details are below. We are offering this workshop at a very special price!
In faith,
Ralph Wyman
MUUSJA Director/Organizer
As always, you can E-mail suggested news and calendar items to me at rwmuusja@gmail.com. Thanks! |
| MUUSJA & UU Action News: |
Voter Registration Day #1
Saturday, September 27
10:00 am - 3:00 pm
True Love Church
1525 Glenwood Ave. N., Minneapolis
Join with the Election Day Community Coalition (25 non-profit groups) working on voter registration and education in the underrepresented 5th Ward of Minneapolis. Our goal is 15-30 UU volunteers on Sat, Sept 27th. 10 am Coffee, 10:20 Training; 11-2:00 Canvass, then reflection & Cook-Out. FFI Carol Johnson 612-825-3322
Voter Registration Day #2
Saturday, October 4
MUUSJA Board Meeting
Thursday, October 9
7:00 - 9:00 pm
All are welcome to attend and to join in conversation at our monthly board meeting. Proposals for MUUSJA Working Group status are due at the Oct. 19 General Meeting. Also, planning for our November training and fall funding drive. Contact Ralph at 612-998-6624 or rwmuusja@gmail.com for more information or to request an agenda.
AUW/MUUSJA Voter Rights
Saturday, October 18 9:30 - 11:00 am First Universalist Church Library 3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis
Help turn the uncertainty of "I Voted?" or "Am I Registered?" into I Voted!! Monthly meeting of the Voter Rights working group. Get ready for election day! MUUSJA members may want to consider taking Nov. 4 off work to help with election observation or voter turnout work. FFI Jenny Thomas 612-920-4246
MUUSJA Fall General Meeting
Sunday, October 19
3:00 - 5:00 pm
First Universalist Church Social Hall
3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis
Special screening of PBS NOW's "Will the 2008 Election be Fair" with panel discussion including Jenny Thomas, co-chair of our Voting Rights working group. Acronym Bingo, '08-'09 work group proposals and more. Please bring a snack to share. Everyone is welcome!
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| Have Fun and Support Our Allies! |
In Her Shoes 
Thursday, September 25
5:00 - 8:00 pm
Jitters Cafe and Martini Bar, 205 E. Hennepin Avenue
$25 in advance, $30 at the door
Please join the Minnesota Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice for a musical celebration of Sexual Health, Religious Freedom, and Reproductive Justice in Minnesota. Lori Dokken, Roy Colbert and Andrew Walesch will share their musical talents. Appetizers will be served. Cash bar. Event will feature a silent auction (cash and checks only). FFI/Reservations kelly@mnrcrc.org or call (612) 870-0974 |
| Allied Social Justice Events |
Will Steger on the Arctic and Global Climate Change
Sunday, September 28  1:00 - 3:00 pm
St. Stephen's
2211 Clinton Ave S, Minneapolis
Join arctic explorer Will Steger, with special guest environmental justice advocate Karen Monahan, as they discuss the threats of global warming and the possibilities of addressing the change with a 'green collar' movement.
With Respect to Iran and the West: An Interface of Politics and Religion
Sunday, September 28
5:00 - 7:00 pm
2211 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis
Panel discussion exploring the nuances of cultural and religious differences between Iran and the West. Dr. William Beeman, University of Minnesota professor of Anthropology; Kjell Magne Bondevik, former Norwegian prime minister; The Right Reverend John Bryson Chane, Eighth Bishop of Washington; and Imam Makram El-Amin, Masjid An-Nur Mosque. Opening remarks by Walter Mondale. Free.
Film: The Visitor
Thursday, October 2
7:00 p.m.
Oak Street Cinema
309 Oak Street SE, Minneapolis
In The Visitor, Tom McCarthy's follow-up to his award-winning directorial debut The Station Agent, an American college professor and a young immigrant couple grapple with the treatment of immigrants and the legal process post-9/11. Presented in partnership with National Immigrant Justice Center, Detention Watch Network, Participant Media and Active Voice. FREE.
HRC Faith and Fairness Town Hall Events
October 6, 7, 9
7:00 pm each evening
Rochester (6th), Moorhead (7th), Brainerd (9th)
Join the Human Rights Campaign for "spirit-filled dialog about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people reclaiming faith." Full details including exact locations are available here.
Time to Believe - Faith in Democracy3:00 - 5:30 pm Sunday, October 12 St. Paul RiverCentre Join thousands of people of faith, public officials and others from across the state of Minnesota who will come together to celebrate, to be in relationship with one another and to invite others to start building a new thing. At Time to Believe - Faith in Democracy, ISAIAH members and allies will pursue a racial and economic equity agenda in health and health care; job creation and transportation; comprehensive immigration reform; education and housing; and environmental renewal. |
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September 27th: Green Jobs Now! |
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The UUA recently signed on to support the "Green Jobs Now" campaign and this September we have a chance to make sure those leaders know: America is ready for green jobs now! On Saturday, September 27, 1Sky, Green for All and the WE Campaign are joining with tens of thousands of Americans for Green Jobs Now: A Day to Build the New Economy.
We need a new economy - one that invests in clean, renewable energy, creates millions of green-collar jobs and addresses the challenges of climate change. The next President and Congress will have a lot to say about if and when we get that new economy.
Together, UUs can help make it clear that America is ready to build an inclusive green economy, strong enough to lift people out of poverty and solve the climate crisis. You can be part of a giant leap forward, by joining other UUs on September 27th (or another date close to that...).
DVD Study Guide: Following are questions prepared by UU Ministry For Earth Board Member Nancy King Smith that may help stimulate an exchange of ideas:
- How would you describe the intersection of environmental and social justice?
- Is it our turn? Are we capable of governing, not just protesting?
- Can there be a Green New Deal? What are the challenges?
- How do we create a no throwaway society?
- What is happening to create green jobs in your community?
- What initiatives are taking place to work with incarcerated and released prisoners on becoming employable?
- How do we apologize to the indigenous people of the world?
- What is the availability of healthy food in all neighborhoods in your community?
- If we are feeding what weʼre fighting what to do we do about it?
- At the end, Bill Sinkford says that Van has given the 2008 General Assembly its charge? How would you describe that charge?
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Voter Registration and Canvass Day - A Partnership with Southside Churches |
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Join UUs from Across the Metro on Saturday, October 4, 2008
Our goal is 150 UUs for this outreach event to our neighbors across the Southside!
 Macedonia Baptist Church 3801 First Avenue South in Minneapolis
We will work in pairs as we knock on doors and work in high traffic areas in the precincts. We'll register new voters and canvass all voters to provide information on voting and voter rights.
Two shifts available: 8:30-12:30 or Noon-3:45. Training and food offered when you arrive at Macedonia Baptist Church.
For those who come to our 8:00 a.m. gathering,  join our Minnesota Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, who will give us a rousing send off at 8:45. Morning schedule: 8:30 Coffee, Juice & Rolls 8:45-9:00 Mark Ritchie
8:45-9:45 Training, team assignments, maps distributed
9:45-10:00 Walk or ride to canvass sites
10:00-12:00 Canvassing doors
12:00-1:00 Return to Macedonia for food, fellowship, & debrief.
Afternoon Schedule:
12:00-1:00 Pizza, soft drinks & fellowship
1:00-2:00 Training and preparation for canvass
2:00-2:15 Walk or ride to canvass site
2:15-3:45 Canvassing doors
3:45-4:00 Return to Macedonia for snacks, fellowship, & debrief.
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| 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. |
| Now What? Using this Moment to Build a Movement |
MUUSJA Leadership Training
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2008. |
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On November 4th, 2008, we will elect a new President of the United States! No matter who wins, change will come. MUUSJA invites you to a day of insight, learning and conversation.
Change IS coming! Get ready. Add your voice to this grass-roots moment in history. Help MUUSJA build on new themes: Are progressive people of faith ready to lead and govern, not just protest and critique? How do we organize for the rising wave of change? Who will we work with and where might we be in 5, 10, even 20 years? Our trainer: Beth Zemsky,  MAEd, specializes in multicultural organizational development. Beth is U of M adjunct faculty in social movement theory, has been a Bush Leadership Fellow, and was founding Director of the U of M GLBT Programs Office. She recently co-authored the summer featured article for Social Policy. Beth brings energy, insight, 25 years of experience and excellent facilitation to this critical work. Join us!! Saturday, November 15, 2008
9:00 am- 4:00 pm
Unity Church Unitarian
732 Holly, St Paul, MN 55104
Registration: $20 in advance $10 student or low income $25 at the door Includes lunch and materials To register call: Marcy -612 824 3240 mleussler@hotmail.com | |
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