MUUSJA News: G.A. Edition!
Minnesota Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Alliance
June 18, 2010
|
|
Greetings!
The annual get-together of some 4,000 UUs is now just days away! MUUSJA hopes you are able to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity. We're highlighting activities both for registered participants and events for everyone - so make sure you come out and connect with you fellow liberal religionists, it's gonna be great! It is also going to be Twin Cities Pride weekend. Fabulous synergies await! The Convention Center and Loring Park are only 4 blocks apart, so MUUSJA, the Standing on the Side of Love campaign, and the GA Planning Committee are building on this great connection. You can help all those visiting UUs have a great Pride+GA and help us witness for Love and our UU values. Check it all out right here. Come, be with us!  Ralph Wyman MUUSJA Director/Organizer rwmuusja@gmail.com 612-998-6624 Your support is needed.
Thank you.
|
GA is June 23-27 in Minneapolis
From the opening banner parade on Wednesday evening, right on through to the huge public worship on Sunday morning, and beyond, UUA General Assembly is a gathering not to be missed! Online registration is now closed, but on-site registration is the same price and open all GA hours.
Almost all official GA activities take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The full, detailed schedule is here.
For those not registering for GA, there will be many opportunities to participate. |
Events open to
Everyone
Whether at the Convention Center or various near-by locations, these
events do not require GA credentials:
Pre-GA Social Justice Training
Wednesday, 2-5 pm, Hilton Minneapolis, Rochester Room (3rd floor)
Get trained by the (newly named) UUA Multicultural Growth & Witness staff. They will share best practices, train on organizing models and capacity-building, and allow time for networking on specific justice issues. You can still RSVP to afriend@uua.org.
Service of the Living Tradition
Thursday 7:30-9:00 pm, Main GA Assembly Hall.
This worship service honors fellowshipped and credentialed religious leaders; remembers those who have died, recognizes those who have completed active service, and welcomes those who have received fellowship or credentialed status in the past year.
UU Ministry for Earth/MUUSJA environmental networking event
Friday 6:00-9:00 pm, Central Lutheran, 333 12th Street South (steps from the Convention Center)
 You are invited! Meet GA attendees from around the country interested in environmental issues. Dinner ($5, optional, please rsvp to Catie), networking time, brief program on climate change and earth justice. Film screening at 7:30, or return to the Convention Center for the Synergy worship.
Public Witness: Standing on the Side of Love for LGBT Families
Saturday, Noon-12:45 pm, Loring Park, Pride Main Stage
We hope everyone will come stand on the side of love at this interfaith witness! UUA President Peter Morales, local clergy, and same-sex couples from Minnesota and around the nation will inspire us to action for marriage equality!
Twin Cities Pride UU information Booth
Sat 10 am-8 pm, Sun 10 am-6 pm; Loring Park, Minneapolis First Unitarian Society is hosting this year's UU booth-we'll be there to share our UU message of love, hope and equality, and to invite Pride-goers to the Sunday morning GA worship.
 Sunday Morning Worship at GA
Sunday 9:00-10:15 am, Main GA Assembly Hall.
Join us for the largest annual gathering of Unitarian Universalists (UUs) joining in worship, for this moving, powerful service. Rev. Peter Morales will deliver the sermon. Worship ends just in time to walk to 3rd and Hennepin for the Parade step-off.
Pride Parade
Sunday, 9:30 am begin line-up, 11 am Step-off. Starts at 3rd and Hennepin, Downtown Minneapolis-goes to Loring Park. Join hundreds of UUs and a special Standing on the Side of Love float in the Twin Cities Pride Parade.
GA Exhibit Hall
MUUSJA will be in the Exhibit Hall, sharing a booth with the UU State Advocacy networks and the UU office of Advocacy and Witness. Many other social justice organizations will be exhibiting. Booth #417. Open to the public on Sunday 10 am-2 pm.
We need your help! Many of these public activities still need volunteers to be successful! Contact Ralph at 612-998-6624 or ralph@muusja.org to find out more.
|
Events for registered GA attendees:
There are many, many more GA activities than these listed! Credentialed delegates will be
voting on Peacemaking and Ethical Eating as Congregational Study-Action Issues.
Info on all of GA programming is at:
www.uua.org/events/generalassembly/programming
MUUSJA will be in the Exhibit Hall, sharing a booth with the UU State Advocacy Networks and the UU Office of Advocacy and Witness. Many other social justice organizations will be exhibiting. View exhibit hours.
Workshops
MUUSJA highlights these among the 100+ offered!
#2015 Environmental Justice in Our Congregations
Thursday 9:00 - 10:15am; Room M100 IJ
This workshop will help you bring environmental justice alive in your congregation. Features Dr. Mark A. Hicks. (Sponsor: UUMFE)
#2055 Beyond "Duh!": UU Youth Speak On Marriage Equality
 Thursday 1:00 - 2:15pm; Room M100 CD
UU youth have much to offer to adults and the culture by their gut-level "well, duh!" acceptance of LGBT equality. Youth, their ministers and a local UU family married in Iowa will share perspectives.
(Sponsor: MUUSJA)
#2059 Using Sustainable Solutions to Impact Climate Change
Thursday 1:00 - 2:15pm; Room 101 ABC
Participants at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen will discuss sustainable energy, agricultural policy, and the urgent need for UUs to join in long term climate action. (Sponsor: UUUNO)
#2054 Health Care and UU Values: Making History!
Thursday 1:00 - 2:15pm; Room 201
Hear California, Michigan and Maryland UU State Advocacy Net-work leaders offer a faith-based analysis of the achievements, shortcomings and next steps for health care reform. (UU State Advocacy Network)
#2079 HIRE: A Racial Equity-Environmental Coalition
 Thursday 2:45 - 4:00pm; Room M100 IJ
HIRE Minnesota is transforming coalition work as we head for the new green economy, and is holding politicians accountable and winning on racial equity.
(MUUSJA)
#2098 Honoring Inherent Worth of Voters for 36 Years
Thursday 4:30 - 5:45pm; Room M100 IJ
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie tells how MN has successfully used election-day voter registration since 1974 to help achieve the nation's highest voter turnout.
(MUUSJA)
Discussion #32 The other 45 states: Moving Marriage Equality Forward
Saturday 2:30-3:30 pm, Room 101 I
California's UU Legislative Ministry was a lead organizer against Prop. 8. They will share a new tool-kit for building the marriage equality movement in your state.
(UU State Advocacy Networks)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Watch for an upcoming issue of our regular e-news The Connection for plenty of UU justice news, calendar items, and connections to the social justice actions of MUUSJA and our many social justice allies.
MUUSJA - Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance
|
|
|
|
|
|
