I read a statistic recently that said that 57% off Americans are feeling stressed after the election. This number includes both liberals and conservatives. We live in uneasy times, and there is much dissatisfaction throughout our society. Some of us derive satisfaction from seeing and participating in various forms of resistance taking place throughout the country, and from the 1,700 people who stood out on a snowy night in Worcester to protest the Muslim ban and antagonism toward refugees and immigrants. Union organizer Mother Jones urged, "Don't agonize! Organize!" and, indeed, political action on both the left and right seems to lighten the emotional load we carry.  In fact, many people at our church feel compelled to political action during these tumultuous days. Catholic Worker Dorothy Day has some sage advice for us, "No one has a right to sit down and feel hopeless.  There's too much work to do."

 

Since the day after the Women's March on Washington (and Boston!), Mara Pentlarge and I have been meeting with some church members to see how we can feel both knowledgeable and empowered to act, and we've met every week since.  People seem eager to be together to counteract the helplessness of inaction. We've discussed principles of political action, signed petitions, and most importantly, showed up at meetings and events sponsored by progressive organizations in the community. 

 

We met with Aaron on Feb. 22nd and decided to form a task force aligned with the UUA social justice advocacy organization Standing on the Side of Love. Sue Crossley, Ilona Forgeng and Christine Lynch are the other members of the SSL Task Force Leadership Team. With the help of some tech-savvy congregants, there will be postings of meetings, protests and trainings coming up so that everyone can participate in activism at their level of interest. As we continue to meet, we will flesh out the details of the kind of group we are and the issues we want to work on.  We agreed that  UUMass Action, a regional organizing effort of Unitarian Universalists, is a good place to start.  To their credit, they have formed multicultural affliliations with many progressive organizations, and have championed the $15 minimum wage hike, immigrant justice, prison reform, civil rights and other issues. Woman's issues will also be front and center. There will also be opportunities to receive notifications of immediate actions which will be sent periodically in times when there are issues that need quick response.  

 

This group will be meeting every Sunday at 11:45 after church in room 2 to lend support to each other, to brainstorm about communication and policy, and to share ideas.  Please come even if you can only come once.  Your participation is valued.

While we are a group in process, there are some upcoming events that are of interest to many of our congregants. If you are interested in attending any of these, we hope to organize carpooling from the church.  Please be in touch with any of the leadership team if you are interested riding together.

This is an exciting venture for our church.  Let us know your thoughts.