| Greetings!
This past Saturday, November 15th, over 50 Unitarian Universalists plus several of our non-UU friends gathered for a wonderful day of skill-building, relationship-building and movement-building!
For those of you who attended the training and wanted to know more about Beth Zemsky's writing about this "Movement Moment," and for those of you who wished you could have been there, here is the link to her recent article.
Stay tuned, the next issue of The Connection will have detailed coverage of the day-long retreat.
Our work groups and our allies continue to do the daily work of justice. See below for our calendars, and take a look at the sidebar for news of interest!
In faith,
Ralph Wyman
MUUSJA Director/Organizer |
| MUUSJA & UU Action News: |
AUW/MUUSJA Reproductive Rights/Sacred Choices
Saturday, November 22
10 - 11:30 am
(Scones and social time at 9:30)
First Universalist Church Library
3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis
This Saturday there will be a buzz over the most recent workshop some of us attended Last Saturday, "Organizing in a Movement Moment." We are definitely going to be part of a new wave of social change. How will this affect our work? What messages will we want to send to the world? Also, RR/SC has been given a workshop slot for PSD-2009 in Duluth! FFI Sara mckru@comcast.net UUSC Guest at Your Table
Begins November 23
Many congregations begin the annual tradition this Sunday. For details, visit the UUSC.
UUA December ActionThe UUA Social Justice program's December action for congregations and UUs is Pictures of Peace. There is an extensive set of web resources for this program. UUs are asked to create pictures of peace, upload them to the UUA, and then deliver them to your member of Congress! MUUSJA EcoMinds Tuesday, December 2
7 - 9 pm
First Universalist Church, Room 206
3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis
Begin implementation of the 2008-2009 work plan: Global warming, green jobs, and environmental & economic justice.
MUUSJA Board Meeting
Wednesday, December 3
7 - 9 pm
First Unitarian Society
900 Mt Curve, Minneapolis
All are welcome to attend and to join in conversation at our monthly board meeting. 2009 budget and year-end fundraising will be the main focus this month. Contact Ralph at 612-998-6624 or rwmuusja@gmail.com for more information or to request an agenda.
AUW/MUUSJA Voter Rights
Saturday, December 6
10 - 11:30 am
Location T.B.A. (see the next Connection!)
Follow up on the election and the recount! Help draft the proposal for a Voter Rights workshop for General Assembly 2009 in Salt Lake City. It is also already time to start thinking about GA 2010 in Minneapolis and what this team may want to propose for programming. FFI Jenny Thomas 612-920-4246
|
| Allied Social Justice Events |
Webinar: From Agricultural to Urban Ecosystems: Nature's Services to HumankindEcological Society of America December 2, Noon-2:30 CST RSVP deadline November 26th
Ecosystems provide people with innumerable and invaluable
services. Our increasing need for food, fiber, and fuel has increased
awareness of the importance of ecosystems, the services they provide, and
the ways in which we depend on them. Join leading researchers as they
provide information that will be of tremendous value to policy makers,
students, and anyone interested in learning more about our nation's valuable
resources. Free Registration required. FFI: piper@esa.org; 202-833-8773. EJAM/WEI Forum on Green JobsWednesday, December 3 6 pm Note: Location TBA
Michael Haynes, EJAM
member, and Bill Meanes, American Indian OIC, will lead
us in discussion regarding GREEN JOBS and how our communities can lead this
movement. Dinner will be served at
5:30, program starts at 6:00. This is a free event! EJAM: Environmental Justice Advocates Minnesota, and WEI: Women's Environmental Institute.
Please contact Karen
Monahan at EJAM: 612-436-5402 for location update.
RCRC: OWL (Our Whole Lives) TrainingJan 30-31, 2009 Unity Church Unitarian, St. Paul Preregistration required. This training is for people who want to teach the Our Whole Lives
(OWL) sexuality curriculum in their congregations, schools, or
community organizations. This training will offer the workshop for the
Young Adult (ages 18-35) and Adult (ages 35+) curriculum. FFI
Getting Organized! Add your congregation
to the Faith in Public Life Map by Jan. 1st
Have a Greener Holiday: Buy Local
Minnesota 2020 has released a "buy local" gift guide online.
Buying locally produced goods can reduce shipping and thus carbon
emissions. And buying local keeps more money circulating in the local
economy.
----
As always, please E-mail suggested news and calendar items to me at rwmuusja@gmail.com. Thanks! | |
|
Gift ideas for the reader in your life:
|
|
|
 Van Jones GA Ware lecturer and Green Jobs pioneer has published a new book that can help set us on a course to solve two of the leading problems in for our society: climate change and the failing economy. Van's book The Green Collar Economy made the New York Times non-fiction Bestsellers list. Van Jones is the first African American environmental writer to reach this prestigious mark. | |
|
| Responding to Prop 8 and other LGBT setbacks |
 |
Here is a portion of a statement by the Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, issued on November 6, 2008:
Our faith community will continue to fight for marriage equality for all people, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity. We will continue to offer steadfast and passionate support for all bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender people. And we will continue to defend the rights of all committed couples to marry and to extend loving family environments to children in need.
Marriage equality will one day be a reality throughout the country. As we mourn our recent losses, we also renew our commitment to education, advocacy, and love. In spite of the setbacks, we are making progress, one state at a time. Justice is knocking, and our work is helping to open a very heavy door.
Our patience, passion, and determination will carry us through the disappointments. We will continue to stand on the side of love. And we will win, because love will win.
-=-
Watch These Videos!
The UUA has produced a beautiful new video of LGBT couples marrying, and the supportive UU communities that surround them:
|
| Thank You! |
|
As we near the close of 2008, please consider making a gift to MUUSJA! Our grant funding only covers a portion of our activities and we rely on you to help us meet our funding goals.
To make a contribution to MUUSJA, download this form to mail your donation. Or call Ralph at 612-998-6624 for more information on memberships and giving.
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 The Prairie Star District of the UUA acts as our fiscal sponsor. We are grateful for their support and assistance. | |
|
Mark Morrison-Reed
