In these complex and sometimes confusing times, we are fortunate to have the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) battling on the front lines on the major issues of the day. For the next few years, the Association has voted to work on: 

There are also new Certified Working Groups focusing on changing both the US and Massachusetts constitutions to combat the negative effects of big money in our electoral system.  Other groups are championing Animal Rights and First Nation Issues.

 

The UUA has selected Escalating Inequality as the Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI) for these four years and says about this issue: 

" Upward mobility - the American Dream - has become a myth.  Concentration of wealth and power has skyrocketed.  Dr. King's dream of justice and equality has fractured.  Half of all Americans are impoverished or struggling, as the middle class shrinks and billionaires take the profits.  Where's our commitment to the common good?"

 

Sometimes in our church and other institutions, initiatives are made, events held, but then you never hear about it again. So this article is an attempt to let you know about the past, present and future of some of the social justice work happening here at UUCW.

 

Last year represented the first time the downtown church (First U) and UUCW worked together on a social justice workshop series, and that collaboration has continued to this year as well.  Many thanks to Rev. Sarah Stewart, Paul Ropp, Lee Bona and Randy Ingham from First U for their assistance and leadership.  Events were advertised in the local media, social media and to all area UU churches.  Event locations were in both churches, since community space wasn't available.

 

Altogether, five workshops and one longer film on escalating inequality were shown. These workshops consisted of short videos, discussion and some action items (petitions, boycott information, etc.) on the alarming and increasing gap in income and opportunities in this country, disproportionately affecting people of color.

We had 35 participants, many of whom attended more than one event.  Most of the people came from both Worcester UU churches, with a few from the community at large. There were more participants from the downtown church than UUCW.  There was lively discussion and the material, which followed the UUA Escalating Inequality curriculum, was well received.  Unfortunately, there were consistent problems at both churches with the electronics/video presentations, which needs to be addressed.  There was general agreement that these workshops should continue.

 

Aaron and Beau also hosted a well supported series on race and race relations last year, including the tumultuous days within the UUA in the 1960's and 70's.

 

It is exciting to see the social justice work happening at our church.  Dianne Mann continues to do wonders with the food pantry, Sue Neaz's Crop Walk was a success, Judy Savage and Jenny DelGizzi are now selling Fair Trade coffee and chocolate (mmm..), and  Don Guyton oversees the 50/50 collection  which continues to provide needed funds to many area social service agencies.  Likewise, Robin, Lee Hill and the Youth Group travel to build and restore homes and hearts, and Sue and Robin continue our ongoing relationship with the families at the Interfaith Hospitality Network. Children and families receive holiday gifts through Pauline Courchesne's work delivering shoe boxes.

This church year, our ministerial intern, Beau Rivers, has already completed a series on the racism and unfairness in the criminal justice system, based on Michelle Alexander's book, The New Jim Crow.

The Green Team has already installed solar panels in Fellowship Hall, and future solar panels will be added on the roof through the efforts of Mara Pentlarge, June Davenport and others.

 

It is good to see all the social justice work being done at UUCW.  Likewise, down at First U, Rev. Stewart is conducting a book and film series on Race and Racism, which is ongoing for the church year.  It is gratifying to see her advertising this series in our newsletter and that some of our congregants are participating downtown, deepening our connections there.

 

So, what else is in store for 2016?  Joan McGinn and  Mara Pentlarge from this church and Vivian Shortreed from First U will be co-anchoring another series on race, class and gender in this new year. We will be working with Aaron and with UUMassAction, the activist and political arm of the UUA in Massachusetts, to address the new widening of the underclass in America.  UUMassAction, under the able leadership of Laura Wagner, sets up various actions collaboratively with other like-minded organizations, and schedules witnesses, protests and information sharing workshops.  We will be following the sequence of events of UUMassAction to inform our discussions.  We can follow discussion with political action so that we're not just "talking heads".  We are fortunate that Aaron has recently been asked to be on the board of UUMassAction, so we'll be in the hub of all that is going on there.

 

These Escalating Inequality workshops are still in the planning stages and Aaron is working with us to formulate a robust agenda for these February-March events.  This year we will have community activist speakers on the topics of race, class, gender and climate justice.  We will have petitions on hand between workshops to further the work of the group.

 

PLEASE JOIN US TONIGHT @ 7 PM IN THE LOUNGE FOR A DISCUSSION OF RACE & ESCALATING INEQUALITY WITH JULIUS JONES. (Click HERE for more information on this workshop)

 

So on those dark, lonely nights in February and March you can join a group of engaged, lively, committed people working on social justice. Times and place to be announced. Keep tuning in!  We need you.

 

Please contact either Joan (celts1600@gmail.com) or Mara (Mara@pentlarge.org) with any questions.