First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches Newsletter 
Oct  2014                                                                                                          #22   
Activism is an Antidote for Despair 

 "I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something . . . I will not refuse to do something I can do."    

Helen Keller

 
In this issue
Articles Block
FROM OUR MINISTER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
FEATURED EVENTS

Dear World Changer,

 

What an incredible day we had on Sept. 21 as we celebrated the United Nation's International Day of Peace! I intended to thank everyone who participated in the service and the festival individually but there were so many that I feel it was truly a community effort and so we all should be congratulated. It is events like this where young and old participate joyfully together that deepen our collective community. Thank you all.

As most of you know, I am committed to peace and consider myself a pacifist. In that vein, I took the liberty of posting a link to an article by Dennis Kucinich about training the Syrian Rebels. I encourage your comments and will publish some of them in the next SACNEWS. Let's get a dialogue going about this.

Please support Roberta Marshall's request for help with Family Promise. She is doing a remarkable job of informing and recruiting. Let her know you will do a small part to support our commitment to Family Promise.

 

Love and Peace,

Judy Bonner

 

 
FROM OUR MINISTER

 

When the news spread to my colleagues of my invitation to join this congregation I received many well wishes.  There were a few questions attached as well.  The burning question seemed to be, "Why Florida?"  Of course I bragged about the weather, the beaches, and the congregation. I also shared that Florida needs a liberal voice and that our congregation is that voice in our communities.  Take for example the issue of reproductive justice.  We are likely the only faith community that will speak up and speak out regarding this issue.  However, the reality is is that people of all faiths are affected by reproductive justice issues and people of all faiths have the right to reproductive justice.

 

Reproductive justice is on my mind as it is the Congregational Study Action Issue that delegates at the 2013 General Assembly voted to study. By November all Unitarian Universalist congregations will receive a study guide to assist congregations to better understand the issues and ways we can respond.  Our congregation will be close to this work for a couple of reasons.  Most importantly we are the liberal voice in our area that will seek justice and I serve the UUA's Commission on Social Witness so we will be very close to the work.  I'm grateful that we can be such advocates in southern Florida.

 

Reproductive justice is intertwined with other important issues. Imagine if you were a person of color, living in poverty, had no higher education, and no affordable housing.  How might all of these issues affect your human right to reproductive justice?  Imagine if you were a woman, a Catholic, had 5 children, and wanted to terminate a pregnancy but shame, criticism, and the threat of punishment from your family and your God stepped in the way.  You are forced to seek unsafe care. How might these other issues affect your right to increase or decrease the size of your family and your religious freedom? Imagine if you were an adult member of a young family working a couple of jobs but your wages were unfair and you didn't have access to healthcare.  Furthermore you don't have access to affordable and safe childcare which puts your job at risk.  How might these other issues affect your ability to raise your family in a safe environment and meet their  needs?

 

All of these issues are under the umbrella of reproductive justice. The less privileged one is and the more prolonged unjust treatment one has endured increases the likelihood that access to reproductive justice is impossible.  Please join me and the Social Action Committee in this work in the coming months.  If we don't, who will?  If we don't, who will build beloved community?

 

Blessings,

Rev.  CJ

 


ANNOUNCEMENTS


Justice scholarship An anonymous donor has pledged $100,000 to support a ten-year justice scholarship project for seniors going on to post-secondary education. The donor will provide $10,000 in each of the next ten years to support the scholarship or scholarships. It will be up to the congregation to decide and implement the criteria for the awards. The justice scholarship will honor Harriet Glasner.  

 

Sept. Grant collection was $554. Total for fiscal year to date is $ $4121.54.

 

UUSC - We have 80 memberships for their 2013-14 fiscal year which ended June 30th. We have a goal of 100 for this year and will attempt to sign more people up at our Guest at your Table service. Current suggested membership amount is $40. Gifts of $125 or more will be matched.

 

Documentaries - There are no more documentaries scheduled at this time. If you would like to publicize, show, and lead a documentary/discussion with a positive action, please contact me.

 

Our annual Soup lunch is scheduled for Nov. 23. See June Kleeman if you would like to help.

 

On Sat. Feb. 28 we are planning a major SA event such as the one we did about prisons last January. We are currently seeking input on topic, speaker, film, etc. Your input would be appreciated.

 

Shirts - We have a chalice logo which will be used on all congregation items. Our shirt color will be the same as Standing on the side of Love which has national recognition. Larry Stauber has posted several suggestions as well as comparisons with the original. . SAC T-shirt designs , Comparisons with original SSoL merchandise. Add your own. We will choose a design at our next meeting. Thank you, Larry!

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FEATURED EVENTS

Oct. 4:  SAC Policy 9:30 to 11:30 in Minister's Hall. The topic will be the variety of possible outcomes in the coming elections, both national and state. This will be a real choice election. Choices to be analyzed will be austerity versus prosperity and global challenges such as war and Ebola. Framing the dialogue will be the 34 year history of austerity and growing inequality which began with the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980. Wayne Johnson will lead the dialog. 

 

Oct 5 through Oct 12. The First UU of the Palm Beaches will be partnering with Tropical Sands Congregational Church as TS hosts the families of Family Promise. Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve a meal or stay overnight.  As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Watch this you tube video to see how 13 congregations and our support can make a difference in people's lives. : see: U-TUBE:  Helping The Homeless in Palm Beach County  

Please contact Roberta here, or phone. (561) 373-8752  

 

October 9, 7 to 8:30PM. "How Climate Change is Affecting Floridians & What Can Be Done Now."- Teaching Thursday, Minister's Hall.

 

October 9, 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. "The Raising of America." Early Childhood and the Future of Our Nation. An ambitious documentary series and public engagement campaign reframing the way we look at early child health and development. Scripps Florida Bldg. B, 130 Scripps Way, Jupiter: Please RSVP to JudyBonner  

 

October 10-11, 2014 Peace & Human Rights in World History. The annual SEWHA conference explores the complex strands of peace, human rights, and conflict resolution within a historical span of interconnected global trends. Participants will share research and teaching about peace, international cooperation, social justice, and world history. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton. For more information or to register for the conference visit:  The Southeast World History Association  

 

Oct. 16 Social Action meeting 5:00 to 6:00PM - Minister's Hall

 

October 18, 10:30 AM to noon, "The Rights of Immigrant Women."Clematis Room, 3d floor of the Mandel Public Library, 411 Clematis St between Olive and Dixie in downtown West Palm Beach.  Discussion of how current immigration practices harm women and families. will Explanation of how immigrant women who have been abused or trafficked can obtain legal status. There will be time for Q & A.  Members of the community are invited to attend and participate. Sponsored by NOW.

 

October 30, 2014 | 7:00pm - 8:30pm. Teaching Thursday Minister's Hall League of Women Voters on Election 2014

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ACTIONS

 

Help reach the goal of 1 million commitments to vote in 2014. Forward this email to 5 friends and ask them to commit to vote at 1 Million Votes For 2014  

 

 

Our Fifth principle is "the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large."

Remember, the UU Funding Program is offering grants of up to $500 to UU congregations and groups that participate in nonpartisan Get Out the Vote efforts, such as "participating in voter registration drives, providing non-partisan educational materials or forums, or volunteering to help registered voters get to the polls."  See Unitarian Universalist Funding Program for details and application forms.  Deadline for applications: October 31. 

 

8 Reasons Why Congress Should Vote No on Training and Funding Syrian Rebels, by Dennis Kucinich

 

SAGE's National Resource Center on LGBT Aging is proud to offer you an exciting opportunity to work with us on helping the LGBT older adults in your area - our Volunteer Education Ambassador Program. 

The goal of the Volunteer Education Ambassador program is to get volunteers out in the community talking about what makes aging as an LGBT person different - and how service providers can adapt! If you successfully apply to be a Volunteer Education Ambassador, you will get access to our Ambassador Digital Toolkit, including

* an easy-to-use, professional PowerPoint presentation

* handouts

* completely developed speaker's notes and an FAQ

* a feedback form

You will be added to our publicly accessible database, searchable by state, so community organizations and providers can get in touch with you directly to present to their groups.

 Apply with us today! It's an easy application and a great way to be involved.  

 

 

SAC GRANTS  

Team   

Marijane Gregg   -  Leader 

Claudia Melear 

Jan Morris 

Barbara Moszynski 

Chris Strain 

Judy Bonner 

 

For the past several years the Social Action Committee of the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches has authorized a limited number of grants to meet needs in our community not currently being met. The money for these grants is raised by dedicating the plate collection on the third Sunday of each month. This year $ $6960 was awarded in general awards and $760 in a dedicated award to Emergency Medical Assistance. We have a balance of $540 in reserve.

The grants were up to $500 and were awarded to not for profit organizations or individuals that addressed pressing needs in our local community. . Organizations with budgets under $250,000 received first priority.  

 

1. Beyond Blind Institute - $ 300 - To provide Blind Shot golf program for sight-paired/blind.

2. Center for Family Services Pat Reeves Center - $ 300 - To purchase microwave ovens

3. Children's Home Society - $ 250- To establish a baby's closet to benefit the babies of mothers in foster care

4. Christ Child Society - $400 - To purchase supplies for volunteers to make 10 baby layettes

5. Community Food Pantry of Lake Park - Club 100 charities - $ 500 - to purchase rubber mats for the concrete floor

6. De Porres place - $460 - To purchase 24 student books and teacher's guides

7. Family Promise - $ 350 - To purchase meals for homeless families

8. First UU Feeding Our Community's Children - $500 - To provide food for migrant children and their families in western Palm Beach County

9. Hope 4 Mobility - $500 - To purchase materials needed to construct adaptive equipment for special needs children

10. Mothers Against Murderers - $ 500 - To purchase a heat transfer tee shirt printer

11. New Generation Missionary Church - $500- To help 30 kids from Jacques Pierre-Louis Haitian congregation get ready for a successful school year

12. P.E.A.C.E. - $500 - To purchase additional simultaneous translation devices

13. Prisoner Art - $400 - To purchase frames for prisoner art prints to sell. All sale proceeds go to the prisoner.

14. Toby Center for Family Transitions -$ 500 - To provide counseling services

15. Toussaint L'Ouverture Charter High School for Arts and Social Justice - To purchase critical science materials

16. Vita Nova - $ 500 - To purchase items on wish list such as apartment furniture, linens, etc. needed for foster teens in transition to independent living

17. Emergency Medical Assistance Inc. - $780 -(This money is raised in a dedicated collection) To provide financial assistance to women who have made the decision to terminate their pregnancies but can't afford the cost of a safe and legal abortion.

 


Quick Links...
 

Our Social Action meetings are on the third Thursday of each month at 5:00 pm.    
Please send me any SAC news items you want inserted in the next SACNews by Oct. 23, 2014
Contact one of our Social Action leaders listed below to find out how you can be involved.
 
Judy Bonner       Chairperson Social Action Committee  
Brian Johnson    SACNews Editor   

CONTACT INFORMATION 
First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches
Phone: 561-627-6105  
561-627-6105                  email: [email protected] 
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