Greetings!
We have two collaborative successes to tell you about! First is the H.I.R.E. Coalition (Healthcare, Infrastructure and Renewable Energy) successfully shepherding a federal stimulus spending bill through the MN Legislature with excellent provisions for green jobs, training and accountability (see sidebar).
And second, MUUSJA collaborated with other UU State Advocacy Network members to deliver oral testimony at a recent hearing of the E.P.A. in the D.C. area. The UUA has coverage and photos of this first-of-its kind moment of multi-state UU collaborative action!
At the same time, this was also a difficult year for some of our Minnesota goals - for example, the Governor vetoed the Safe Schools Act. But we can acknowledge the progress of getting significant bi-partisan support for LGBT youth in passing the bill through both houses. Gov. Pawlenty also vetoed all three election reform bills passed this session. Clearly, there will be work for us to do in preparation for next year's session!
MUUSJA is looking forward to a summer of LGBT Pride, and to a G.A. with a strong focus on election reform. Check the calendar listings just below for details.
As you head out to the garden this summer, or a cabin weekend or perhaps a trip further afield, consider taking your camera, a piece of poster-board and a big fat marker. EcoMinds wants you to capture nature as it is now, before global warming accelerates and impacts all our summers.
Where ever your summer takes you, we hope you'll stay in touch with MUUSJA! And watch for the Connection each month as we continue to build connections for social change.
In faith,
Ralph Wyman
MUUSJA Director/Organizer
|
Minnesota's Summer of Pride!
LGBT Pride events are happening all summer - and into early fall - all across Minnesota. Take a look at MUUSJA's Out 4 Marriage web page for links to events in cities and towns including Pine City, Rochester, Brainerd, the Twin Ports, and more!
Twin Cities: UUs everywhere are invited to join together as we march down Hennepin
Avenue to Loring Park, in the Twin Cities Pride Parade on Sunday, June 28th,
at 11 am.
We are coordinating with White Bear UU so that we may all
proudly proclaim our UU message of love, hope, and equality. We are calling for drummers and other joyful noisemakers to
join our parade group. Look for the White Bear UU parade slot info at www.tcpride.org, to be announced June 14.
Day of Art: UUO4M is hosting a day of art to prepare a colorful and engaging presence in Pride parades and events. Artist Mary Jo Nikolai will lead a program including batiking colorful ribbons and
banners. Children and families welcome! $1 per person requested to defray materials costs. Snacks provided.
Saturday, June 20th, 9am - noon
Unity Church Unitarian
732 Holly Ave, St. Paul
Contact Ann Hite for more info: amh1960@gmail.com
 Creative Writing workshop: We are thrilled to be able to offer this special event to UUs! Literary minister Karen Hering of Unity Unitarian will guide a special workshop on telling
our coming out stories. This event is open to all UUs - LGBTQ and
allies.
Wednesday, August 5th, 6:30-9 pm
Unuty Unitarian, St. Paul
Registration is $10-20 sliding scale for this two and a half hour, professionally led writing workshop. Registration closes July 24. Details and registration form on the UUO4M page.
|
| MUUSJA Action News: |
UUs Out 4 Marriage
Monday, June 1
7 - 9 pm
Unity
Church Unitarian
732
Holly Ave, St. Paul 55104
Help Minnesotans and UUs to fulfill the call to
stand on the side of love. You can watch the UUA video "Standing on
the Side of Love" on the UUO4M page of muusja.org.  We are planning outreach events and materials, a poetry night, perhaps a Twin Cities Pride 2010+G.A. 2010 event in support of full marriage equality! If
you can't make the meeting but would like to start receiving notes and UUO4M
updates, contact Ralph and ask to be added to the UUO4M Yahoo list.
FFI
Ralph rwmuusja@gmail.com,
612-998-6624.
AUW/MUUSJA Voter Rights
Saturday, June 6
10 - 11:30 am
First Universalist Church
3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis
Finalize preparations for G.A. Voter Rights Workshop: "Does Touchscreen Voting
Violate the 5th Principle?" Mark Ritchie and UU Secretary of State Debra Bowen are also scheduled to appear at GA.
FFI Jenny Thomas jjthomas@skypoint.com
or Carol Johnson 612-825-3322.
  MUUSJA EcoMinds
Tuesday, June 9
7-9 pm
First Universalist Church
3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis
Help EcoMinds kick off a summer photography project: picture yourselves on your summer vacation, at your cabin, working in your garden, fishing your favorite lake. The plan: YOU take photos of you and/or family and friends -- and a sign saying "Don't let global warming damage my _____" We need your assistance! This will be a fun and impactful project. We'll make a web slide show, posters, and more with your summer vacation pics! Come to the EcoMinds meeting or check the web site after June 9th if you need more instructions on the photo project.
>Also, planning for '09-'10 outreach, speakers bureau, possible UU environment summit, more. FFI contact Ralph rwmuusja@gmail.com,
612-998-6624 to be connected to our new co-chairs Lisa or Catie!
MUUSJA Board Meeting
Monday, June 15
7 - 9 pm
Fundraising Committee meets at 6 pm
Unity Church Unitarian
732 Holly Ave, St. Paul 55104
All
are warmly welcomed to attend and to join in conversation at our monthly board
meeting. We are preparing for our next Strategic Plan - to guide MUUSJA in the years ahead. Our fundraising committee will meet at 6 to discuss our September fund raising walk and a possible summer garden tour. Contact Ralph at 612-998-6624 or rwmuusja@gmail.com for information or to request an agenda for either meeting.
|
|
UU & Allied Social Justice Events
|
H.I.R.E. Community Meeting
Tuesday, June 2nd, 2009
6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Sabathani Community Center
310 East 38th Street
Minneapolis, MN
The HIRE Minnesota
Community Gathering will be a chance for the community to learn about
the progress we've made so far, celebrate our successes and discuss our
priorities for the future. We invite you to participate in this
community discussion about the difference we've made in putting
Minnesota's investments to work for everyone. Refreshments served.
WAMM Walk Against Weapons!
Saturday, June 6th,
10:30 AM
Meet at Bakers
Square
928 Prairie Center Drive
Eden Prairie
Second annual WAMM Walk Against
Weapons, a three-mile walk from Bakers Square to Alliant Techsystems (ATK) in
Eden Prairie. The Walk Against Weapons is a protest and fundraiser for WAMM in
collaboration with AlliantACTION, a local group that holds weekly vigils at
ATK, the largest Minnesota-based military contractor. Please consider walking
in the march or sponsoring NWN4P members who are doing so. FFI and pledge
forms: Call 612-827-5364 or visit www.worldwidewamm.org.
UUA General Assembly 2009
June 24-28
Salt Palace Convention Center
Salt Lake City
Registration is still open for G.A. 2009! We are thrilled to say that the MUUSJA/AUW Voter Rights team has a workshop at this G.A.! And there is so much more to this annual get-together of WE the UUs who make up our Association. The election of a new UUA President is a key piece of G.A. business.
At G.A. the UUA Commission on Appraisals will propose revising the Seven UU Principles! For info, read the UU World backgrounder, and commentary by FUS minister Rev. Gibbons. Get educated before attending GA as a delegate - or consider voicing a request to delay this revision. MUUSJA has not taken an official position, but we recognize that many UUs are not well aware of the changes being proposed and may want more time. Additional resources, the Commission's page, and a petition site asking to delay the process by one year are available.
|
|
|
MUUSJA is dedicated to building the UU social justice movement in Minnesota. Please contact us with your event suggestions, questions about how to get involved, or to update your information with us.
Sincerely,
Ralph Wyman, Director/Organizer
MUUSJA
612-998-6624
rwmuusja@gmail.com
|
|
|
H.I.R.E. wins Green Jobs!
|
 |
After months of organizing, outreach and
education, the HIRE Minnesota coalition - MUUSJA is a member - achieved a major victory when the energy programs bill was signed into law by Governor Pawlenty.
With $2.5 million for green jobs training for low-income
people and outreach programs, this program will allocate a total of $200 million in federal stimulus
funding to weatherize low-income homes and public buildings, and to
invest in other renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
Weatherization will make low-income homes and public buildings more
energy efficient, reduce utility bills and help to ease the climate
crisis. The bill also contains strong reporting
requirements, an important component of accountability, and one of many goals HIRE pushed hard and won.
CELEBRATE this collective victory and help plan HIRE MN's next phase:
HIRE Minnesota Community Gathering
Tuesday, June 26:30 - 8:30 pmSabathani Community Center, Minneapolis310 East 38th StreetMinneapolis, MN 55409
|
Support us!
|
Help make MUUSJA a STRONG moral voice for justice by contributing to MUUSJA. We now accept secure, tax deductible, online donations via Paypal:  --=-- MUUSJA wishes to thank our funders. We are supported in part by the UUSC and the First Universalist Foundation. The Prairie Star District of the UUAis our fiscal sponsor. | |
|
