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Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance
 
The Connection: Events, Announcements and News
Sept. 12, 2009
Greetings!

We have two wonderful things to lift up in this issue of The Connection.  First is the recent trip to Iowa by a busload of couples, families and supporters at Unity Church Unitarian - also known as the Love Bus.  Read a first hand account in the sidebar article here, with a link to the Des Moines Register coverage, too.

Our congratulations to the nine couples, to Janne and Rob Eller-Isaacs  and to Unity for this step for equality!

And second, our sister organization, the UU Legislative Ministry of California just achieved a major milestone.  They took the lead in passing a first-in-the-nation Human Right to Water bill through both houses of the California Legislature.  Read about their amazing accomplishment.

PP MultiFaith ServiceWith the support of the UU Service Committee and many California coalition partners, this groundbreaking legislation is headed to Governor Schwartzenegger's desk.  UULM-CA is still campaigning to get his signature.  If you know anyone in California, send them this video urging calls and postcards for the Governor.  And take a look your self, it's interesting and fun!

This is the power of UUs working in colaition, in partnership with the UUSC, and a testament to the vision and leadership of Rev. Lindi Ramsden and the staff of the UU Legislative Ministry of California.   Congratulations!

Walk for MUUSJA. Walk for Justice.
Enjoy Minnesota's transition to autumn, get some exercise, and help MUUSJA to continue to achieve our goals -- for LGBT rights, open and fair elections, climate change and women's health.  Please join us in our first-ever MUUSJA Walk for Justice - or make a pledge - Sunday afternoon, September 20th.  Details are below and on the web.

In faith,
Ralph Wyman
MUUSJA Director/Organizer
 MUUSJA Action News:

PP MultiFaith ServiceUUs Out 4 Marriage
Monday, Sept 14th
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Unity Church Unitarian
732 Holly Ave, St. Paul

We are ready to to work pro-actively FOR marriage equality. UUO4M is partnering once again with OutFront Minnesota (www.outfront.org) and just sent all UU congregations a marriage equality kit, with a request for CLERGY and CONGREGATION sign-on!  October 11th is National Coming Out Day - a Sunday this year -  a good day for UU congregations to Come Out For Marriage Equality! We can help our congregations to plan a service, adult education, or other awareness action.  Join us!


MUUSJA Board Meeting
Wednesday, Sept 16
7 - 9 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.  Contact Ralph at 612-998-6624 or [email protected] for information or to request an agenda.


Walk for MUUSJA on Sunday, September 20th
WalkLogoNoon - 3:00 pm
First Universalist Church
3400 DuPont Ave S
Minneapolis

Celebrate the last day of summer with an afternoon fund raising walk to support MUUSJA's work building a UU moral voice for a just and sustainable world.  Starts and ends at First Universalist Church in Minneapolis.  Walk to the beautiful Peace Garden, or around Lake Harriet.  Lunch provided, step off for walk begins at 12:30 pm.
Registration info, Pledge Form and online donation are here.

E-mail to Carol Johnson if you would like to volunteer with food, the registration table, or as a helper along the walk route.


Fall MUUSJA General Meeting - Marriage Equality
Victoria Rally MarriageSunday, October 18th
1:30 - 3:00 pm
White Bear UU Church, Social Hall
328 Maple Street
Mahtomedi
Map (very helpful)

Come hear Rev. Victoria Safford (pictured here at the 2006 capitol rally against the marriage ban) and other UU speakers on the ways that LGBT marriage equality is a legacy issue for our faith.  See sidebar for the Unity Marriage Bus article!
Also:
- G.A. 2010 will be in Minneapolis on Pride weekend!  Hear about plans in the works for this exciting opportunity.
- Our MUUSJA working groups will present plans for the year for climate change work, voting rights, reproductive health and education, and MUUSJA invites new issue work, too!  Contact us for issue group guidelines.
- We will get a special preview of an art opening: WBUUC together with the Immigrant Freedom Network will debut a special show on Sunday, Oct. 25th.  See it early at our Fall Meeting!


? Looking for calendar items on Voter Rights, EcoMinds or Sacred Choices?
Meeting dates for these three working groups will be announced very soon.  Watch for the next Connection, or come to the Fall Meeting on October 18th to get connected to any of our campaigns!

UU & Allied Social Justice Events

Environmental Film: The Age of Stupid
PP MultiFaith ServiceGlobal Premier!
Monday, September 21
6:30 pm Central (Live simulcast)
Multiple Minnesota Cinemas
Location finder

The Age of Stupid is the new epic film from McLibel director Franny Armstrong. Oscar-nominated Pete Postlethwaite stars as a man living alone in the devastated world of 2055, looking at old footage from 2008 and asking: why didn't we stop climate change when we had the chance?
This film is being shown simultaneously on 550+ theater screens using digital simulcast.  Be part of the global premier!


Building the Emerging Social Justice Movement

Thursday, September 24th
5:30 - 7:00 pm
Glaciers Cafe in the Mosaic Building
3019 Minnehaha Ave S, Minneapolis
map

Join Headwaters Foundation for Justice and special guest Robert Espinoza, Director of Research and Communication for Funders for LGBTQ Issues as we explore the issues and ideas that will shape the frames and themes of the next social movement.


Using the Arts as Tools of Social Analysis and Action:
Popular Education and Organizing
PP MultiFaith ServiceFriday, October 9
1:00 - 6:00 pm
First Unitarian Society
900 Mt Curve, Minneapolis

A Headwaters sponsored gathering for activists, community members, educators and anyone who wishes to expand the use of the arts in improving their work against oppression and violence and for democracy, sustainability, justice, and peace. Popular education uses various hands-on techniques and methods to encourage attendees to examine their lives critically and take action for social change and liberation.
The mini conference will feature workshops with local artists and activists including: Sha Cage and e.g. bailey, Ricardo Levins Morales, Alejandra Tobar-alatriz and Amalia Deloney.  $25/$10 students.  Limited scholarships available.  MUUSJA is a co-sponsor.


Film: Journey to Freedom
Guest speaker Charlie Clements, UUSC President
Friday, October 9th
7:30 pm
First Univestalist Church
3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis

Local premiere of a brand new documentary, Journey to Freedom, which tells the World War II story of UU humanitarian heroes Martha and Charlie Clements CEOWaitstill Sharp, who risked their lives to rescue others' children from the Nazis in Europe.   First Universalist will host this movie and discussion as part of the 2009 Dietrich Bonheoffer Lectures in Public Ethics.  
Discussion after:  Dr. Clements is extremely knowledgeable and will host a discussion of the film as well as answer any questions you have about current UUSC programs.
Free event, refreshments served.


Faith and Freedom Banquet
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice MN
Tuesday, October 20th
Mt. Zion Temple
1300 Summit Avenue, St. Paul

Keynote by Rev. Dr. Rebecca Ann Parker, president and professor of theology at Starr King School for the Ministry, a UU seminary.  A strong advocate for reproductive justice, Parker has compassionately addressed the often tragic conflicts women must negotiate in facing a pregnancy decision, moving the abortion debate beyond a pro-life/pro-choice either-or conflict.  AUW will be among the honorees at this event!
Info & Tickets ($60/$25 low income)


Focus on immigration issues: Aviva Chomsky
October 24 & 25 - save the date!
First Unitarian Society & other locations

Focus on immigration issues with local advocacy organizations and national speaker Aviva Chomsky.  Chomsky is the author of They Take Our Jobs and Twenty Other Myths About Immigration.  White Bear UU art opening on Sunday.  Details in upcoming issues of the Connection.

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
[email protected]
Quick Links
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In This Issue
MUUSJA Events
UU and Allied Events
Love Bus
Day of Climate Action
The Love Bus goes to Iowa!
Iowa Bus Trip
by Ann Hite, UUO4M working group member

On Saturday, August 29th I had the far back seat and a full view of the action as one of four 'honorary bridesmaids' on Unity Church Unitarian's "Love Bus" to Iowa.  I got a spot on the bus because, as chair of the Interweave Ministry Team, I had attended the first bus ride planning meeting.

My intention was to listen in to Unity's LGBT members - well, it was really only the "L's" who showed up - speak their minds that night on the issue of marriage equality.  By riding the bus, I got so much more:

During a total of 7 hours on the road and 5 hours in Des Moines, I felt an incredible sense of privilege for having the opportunity to become acquainted with this group of women and their children, who had all clearly been anticipating the chance to legalize what they have been doing quietly and lovingly for anywhere from 10 to 30 years... being families.
 
In the 90-minute ceremony, one couple after another walked up to the chancel, some with their children, to exchange vows and rings. The usual wedding experience offers a single chance to witness one (usually young) couple make promises to do their best to love and cherish each other as they embark on a new life together.

This was very different. Nine couples, who have already spent years honing what it means to be committed,
demonstrated that they do indeed cherish each other enough to look into their partners' faces with a new vision for their relationships.

As an observer, I had a keen sense of the personal stamina it requires to be just this persistently loving in the face of social bigotry. We should all be so lucky to have partners like these.

- Ann

Read the Des Moines Register article about the bus ride!
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350.org International Climate Day Oct 24th!
The next weeks and months are critical for addressing climate change.

By late September, the Senate climate bill will have passed or failed. Passage is needed to send an empowered and credible US delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, December 7-18, 2009.

The world's leaders must arrive at that conference with the voices of their people ringing in their ears, calling them to take strong action to lower atmospheric CO2 levels to 350 parts per million (ppm).

Why 350? Scientists generally agree that if we continue to allow the amount of carbon in the atmosphere to top 350 ppm, we can't sustain a planet similar to the one we know and to which life on Earth is adapted. Currently, the CO2 in the atmosphere measures well above 350 ppm.

350 represents more than just a benchmark for a safe climate - there are deep moral and spiritual reasons for getting back below 350.
UUMFE 350 Day






How to Answer the Call


Add your name to the "Interfaith Call for 350" and get everyone in your community to do the same. Click here to sign your name.

Pledge to participate on October 24 by signing up on the UU Ministry For Earth registry. By registering, you will receive emails updates as UU-related actions and plans evolve.

Register your participation on the 350.org website, and identify yourself as a UU! 350.org will soon be unveiling a full set of tools to help you manage your local event and build a strong local climate group in the lead-up to 24 October. To be in the loop, register your commitment to participate now.
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