Greetings!
Spring has arrived here in Minnesota! And that means it's time for some outdoor events like OutFront's annual justFair Lobby Day for LGBT equality.
We've also been reading about how Minnesota lakes experienced ice-out at record early dates, and the monthly data for Marchindicated that cities like Duluth were 12 degrees warmer than average. Many other Minnesota cities were 5, 8 or 11 degrees above average. Of course one month of weather is not quite the same as decades of climate work - but it does seem to point to our need to do more work for Earth Dayand for climate change.
Climate change will be just one of many topics at this year's General Assembly. Don't wait too long, early registration discounts end April 30th.
As always, take a look around the Connection - there is always so much going on!
Ralph Wyman MUUSJA Director/Organizer
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MUUSJA EcoMinds
Sunday, April 18
12:30 pm
White Bear UU Church
Theodore Parker room
328 Maple Street, Mahtomedi
Come for a short discussion following Bill McKibben's Earth day sermon at White Bear UU. We'll also be working on plans for the UU Ministry for Earth networking event on Friday evening during G.A., and ways to support HIRE Minnesota's continued green jobs and racial equity work.
MUUSJA Board Meeting
Thursday, May 6
7 - 9 pm
First Unitarian Society
900 Mount Curve, Minneapolis
All
are warmly welcomed to attend and to join in conversation at our monthly board
meeting. Contact Ralph at 612-998-6624 or rwmuusja@gmail.com for information or to request an agenda.
May MUUSJA work group meetings to be announced shortly - watch your in-box!
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UU & Allied Social Justice Events
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 Protest: National Organization for Marriage @ St. Thomas
Saturday, April 17th
Meet at 8:30am on public sidewalk in front
of the University of St.
Thomas
at Cretin and Summit.
Anti-GLBT National Organization for Marriage
(NOM), is coming to speak at the University of St. Thomas to advocate for discrimination in our laws
and in our state. NOM was a key force behind Prop 8 in california. People of faith who champion equality and justice are crucial for moving marriage equality in Minnesota. Please bring signs,
banners and friends and join OutFront, All God's Children Metropolitan
Community Church, the Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities, the
Institute for Welcoming Resources (a program of The Task Force), Dignity Twin
Cities and others in speaking out for equality!
 Weekend of Human Rights
with Rev. Bill Schulz
Saturday-Sunday, April 17-18First Universalist Church
3400 Dupont Ave S
First Universalist Church's Sesquicentennial committee and the Center for Victims of Torture invite you to a weekend of events with former UUA President, former Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, and current Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, Dr. William F. Schulz.
Saturday: Public Lecture "Barack Obama and Human Rights" 7:00 p.m. Free and open to the public.
Sunday: Dr. Schulz will be the worship leader at 9 and 11 a.m. services.
Presentation by the Center for Victims of Torture follows the 11 am service.
  Earth Day at WBUUC - scholar/activist Bill McKibben
Sunday, April 18
9 and 11 am
White Bear UU Church
328 Maple St.
Mahtomedi, MN 55115
Bill McKibben, internationally
known author, environmentalist, and co-founder of 350.org will present Eaarth: Making a Life on a Tough New Planet as the Earth Day Sunday
speaker at WBUUC.
 HIRE Minnesota Coalition General Meeting
Be Prepared, Be Heard!
Tuesday, April 20
6 PM - 8:30
PM
Lao Family Community of Minnesota
320 University Avenue W, St.
Paul, 55103
HIRE will recognize all that we've accomplished and explore the challenges
and opportunities that lie ahead. We will discuss
our work this campaign season and most importantly, hear from you on
current strategies and how to support better outcomes for low-income
communities and communities of color. Free dinner at 6 pm, program begins at 6:30.
Wednesday, April 21
Rally at 1:00 pm
Minnesota State Capitol, South lawn
St. Paul
Join with UUs Out 4 Marriage and all of MUUSJA as we lobby and rally for Marriage Equality in Minnesota! You can register herefor lobby appointments (appointment times vary by legislator
and may change - check in at the OutFront tent Wednesday morning).
Registration is not required for the 1 pm Rally. If you have a "Standing on the Side of Love" T-shirt (blue or yellow), please wear that, too!
B'earth'day Celebration - 40 years of Earth Day
Sunday, April 25th
After 9 & 11 am services
First Universalist Church
3400 Dupont Ave S, Minneapolis
See LIVE animals; learn about green initiatives including: recycling, ethical eating, worship and spirituality, and political action; sing earth songs
with Rise Up Singing; learn about 40 years of successes and turning
points in sustainable earth initiatives. Special B'earth'day cake will be served.
 Documentary: Inlaws and Outlaws
Saturday, April 24
7pm
Good Samaritan Methodist
5730 Grove St, Edina
This award-winning documentary dispels myths, and gives a fresh take on
the marriage debate. Gay and
straight people share their stories with candor, insight and humor, driving the point home that the need for love
and belonging is universal. Free and open to public. Call 952-929-0049 for
directions.
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Prairie Star District Annual Conference
|  It's not too late! Come on down to the Quad Cities!
Roots and Wings: Weaving Multigenerational Dreams
April 23-25, 2010
Davenport, Iowa
Join your fellow Minnesotans! You can register in person for the District's Annual Conference. If you are interested in ride-share from the Twin Cities, contact Ralph.
Friday Pre-Conference Workshops:
Anti-racism
Winning Marriage in Iowa
MUUSJA works with the Prairie Star District Social Justice Network to support the annual Pre-Conference Workshops. Pre-conference training is Friday, April 23rd, 9 am - 3:30 pm, and ends in
time to attend the evening's activities. There are two sessions: Roots and Wings for Anti-Racism (morning) and Politics of Marriage Equality (afternoon), with lunch available. Pre-conference event registration is just $5-$13 depending on sessions selected and optional lunch.
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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
ralph@muusja.org
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Getting ready for GA in the Twin Cities
|  | MUUSJA is hosting three workshops during GA! The workshops are scheduled for 1 pm, 2:45 pm and 4:30 pm, on Thursday, June 24th. See all the MUUSJA events, and other social justice offerings, in one handy hand-out! Hope Community will be the service projectthis year, and there are hands-on opportunities during GA. Habitat Build!
The UUSC is holding a Just Works week right in Minneapolis the week of June 12-20, helping builda Habitat house. First Unitarian
and other UU congregations will be working at the same Habitat house the week before: June 7-11, 2010, at 1349Russell Ave. N. FFI contact FUS's Social Action. Twin Cities Pride Weekendis during GA! There will be a public witnessevent in Loring Park at lunchtime on Saturday, June 26. And on Sunday, June 27th, right after the morning worship, MUUSJA and the other UU State Advocacy Networks invite GA attendees to join local UUs as we march with a float in the annual Pride Parade.
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Like seeing UUs take action on your issues?
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Support us!
Help make MUUSJA a clear moral voice for justice with your donation to MUUSJA. We accept secure, tax deductible, online donations via Paypal: Checks can be mailed to: MUUSJA c/o PSD 122 W. Franklin Ave Suite 303 Minneapolis, MN 55404 Thank you to the Prairie Star District of the UUA, our fiscal sponsor. |
Would you like MUUSJA to speak at your congregation?
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Representatives of MUUSJA are available to speak at adult forums, RE classes, and for Sunday morning worships.
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Contact Ralph to find out more:
612-998-6624
ralph@muusja.org
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