Oct 16, 2013
The Connection:
MUUSJA News and Events

Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance


We're really looking forward to this coming Sunday, and we hope you are too! We've lined up a great advocacy training and will be simulcasting our Fall Meeting in multiple locations! Join us for the meeting, everyone is welcome!
MUUSJA Fall Meeting
Collective power and courageous leadership
Selecting our 2013-14 issues & 
Training for effective citizen engagement 
 
Sunday, October 20, 1:00-3:00pm
First UU Church of Rochester
1727 Walden Lane SW
Rochester, MN 55902
 
Live-link: First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis
900 Mt Curve
Live-link: UU Congregation of Duluth, 835 W College St
Gather together with other UUs to be active participants in our Fall Meeting without the time (and carbon!) of traveling to Rochester. We'll use video sharing and have board members as hosts at all three locations. Please attend where most convenient to you!
 
Come to our Fall Meeting to connect with fellow justice-seeking UUs and: 
  • Get a great training from a sitting State Legislator! "Being an effective citizen activist" with MN State Rep. Frank Hornstein. This presentation is non-partisan and direct from a state legislator
  • Get updates on our ongoing work
  • Hear presentations, discuss and vote on proposals for continuing and new issue/advocacy working groups
  • Be updated on strategic efforts for a just and equitable state & vote for new and renewing MUUSJA directors
Pre-registration is helpful (but not required). Light refreshments will be served. A free event, open to all. Donations and memberships/renewals are most welcome (members may vote on campaigns and directors).
Homelessness/Housing

Work o' the Weavers concert! 

Friday, Oct 18, 7:30 p.m.
First Unitarian Society
900 Mt Curve, Minneapolis 

Wanting some fun this Friday night?! Benefit concert for Downtown Congregations to End Homelessness celebrating America's pioneering folk quartet. Tickets $15 advance/Kids 12 & under $5. $20 at the door.
LGBT Equity/International Issues

"God Loves Uganda"

Friday, Nov. 8th, 7:00 p.m.
UU Church of Minnetonka 

605 Rice Street

Wayzata, Minnesota 55391

 

"A searing look at the role of American evangelical missionaries in the persecution of gay Africans" - The New York Times 
 
Join the Social Justice Ministry team of the UU Church of Minnetonka for this special screening of a powerful new documentary that follows Bishop Christopher Senyonjo in his journey as an LGBT activist in a country both served and deeply influenced by American evangelicals.
 
NPR has more about Bishop Senyonjo and the film.
Voting rights
MN Election Day Nov. 5th 
 
At our Fall Meeting, we will have FairVote Associate Faith Director Juliana Keen at the First Unitarian Society location to share information with Minneapolis voters about Ranked Choice Voting. This will be the first experience for most area voters with this new process and, with our high voter engagement, UUs can help the vote go smoothly and successfully!
 
And a reminder: you can check and confirm your voter registration status at the MN Secretary of State's web site. And you (or a friend or neighbor!) can register and vote on election day. Here's how  
Racial Equity  MSFA and EAF
Big step forward with the Vikings!!
MN Sports Authority inks workforce diversity agreement with local groups
 
In an unprecedented act, the Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority agreed to contract with an Employment Assistance Firm (EAF) comprised of many diverse groups representing people of color in the Twin Cities region. Working together the EAF partners will handle the key functions of identifying qualified workers, providing training and placement and offering quality assurance to ensure the Vikings Stadium project employs a highly-skilled, diverse workforce.

 

As our coalition lead at HIRE Minnesota says, this is a big deal for racial equity in Minnesota! Our multi-year UU commitment to HIRE-MN continues to transform public agencies and contracts. You can read more about the precedent-setting agreement from Insight News.

 

Your membership, renewal or donation unleashes the power of collective UU justice. Your membership or gift sustains us!
Thank you.

Checks may be made payable to MUUSJA and mailed to: MUUSJA c/o MidAmerica UUA, 

2355 Fairview Ave. #312, Roseville, MN 55113. Contributions to MUUSJA are through our fiscal agent, MidAmerica Region-Unitarian Universalist Association and are tax-deductible. 


Mission: MUUSJA unleashes the courageous leadership and collective power of Minnesota UUs to realize a just and loving world.