All members & friends are welcome to join the efforts of the Social Justice Outreach Team
SOCIAL JUSTICE & ALLIES FOR RACIAL EQUITY TEAM MEETINGS
We meet on the first TUESDAY of the month 1:00 to 2:30pm. via ZOOM
May meeting only, 2nd Tues May 10th
ARE updates and news can be sent to Charlotte Corrigan for inclusion in emails, eBlasts and Justice Worker News.
Want more JUSTICE NEWS? UUFH JUSTICE WORKER NEWS Contact Charlotte Corrigan to join the email list.
UU Justice NC
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DONATE to UU Justice NC HERE
OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTION
from Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson, Executive Director UU Justice NC
UUSC’s Emergency Response Fund for Assistance in Ukraine
UUSC’s Emergency Response Fund provides vital assistance to people impacted by natural or human-made disasters yet whose access to aid is most limited. Currently, UUSC is using resources from their Emergency Response Fund to support people who have fled the violence in Ukraine after Russia launched a large-scale invasion in February 2022. They are building upon relationships they have established in Eastern Europe to respond to evolving needs on the ground and provide funding where it is needed most. You can make a donation to UUSC’s Emergency Response Fund via this link. You can also click here to learn about other ways to support this important work.
FRIDAY ACTION HOUR
Every Friday at 11:00am UUs from across the state gather to recap the past week and take action on the issues impacting our state and country. In the coming month, we’ll Be Keeping the pressure on our elected officials to better promote the HOPE program. We always have good music to help us feel the justice movement in our bones! Join us via this Zoom link. If you can’t make it on Fridays, you can still take action at any time – just check our Weekly action list.
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MORE Opportunities for Action
Per UPDATES from Rev. Lisa Garcia-Sampson, Executive Director, UU Justice NC:
MORAL MARCH IN DC
Are you planning to join UUs from across the country at the Mass Poor People’s & Low-Wage Workers’ Assembly’s Moral March in Washington DC on June 18? If so, please let UU Justice NC know by emailing Rev. Lisa at lisa@nulluujusticenc.org. Additionally, please let UUSJ know by filling out this form. You can also use the form to volunteer to help plan UU involvement for June 18 with the UUA’s Poor People’s Campaign Council.
****WNC NOTE:
We have buses leaving from Western NC to be filled: It’s really simple. Go to rally.co/ppc (be patient – it’s slow to load!) and push the start link, then find our state and the closest city to you. You can book a ride from there. (includes Asheville, NC and Spartanburg and Greenville, SC)
Save the Date
Trans Rights & Inclusion Event with Alex Kapitan
Tuesday, June 14, 6:00 PM, for UUs in North & South Carolina.
This webinar will give participants an overview of how to think about gender expansively, the experiences and needs of trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming people; the current landscape of violently anti-trans legislative efforts; and what congregations need to do to be spaces of safety and resilience for trans people and their families. Zr. Alex Kapitan is a lay community minister, educator, editor, consultant and activist. A trans and non-binary lifelong Unitarian Universalist, Alex does interfaith LGBTQ work and supports congregations in becoming places of radical welcome for all. Ze is the co-founder of the Transforming Hearts Collective and co-leader of the program Trans Inclusion in Congregations. Registration info Coming Soon.
DRUUMM’s Annual Worship & Fundraiser Event is coming up on May 4 at 8:30 PM. This year’s preacher will be the Reverend B. Tyler Coles. If your congregation is interested in co-sponsoring and making a donation for this event, you can learn more here.
CLIMATE JUSTICE CONGREGATIONAL PROJECT
LAST CHANCE Our Outreach Collection for CLIMATE JUSTICE began on April 10, and ends this Sunday, May 1.
The Collection proceeds will be split between Mountain True, its affiliate, Creation Care Alliance and a new group to UUFH, the Climate Reality Project.
These 3 groups have a strong CLIMATE JUSTICE focus throughout their local and global efforts.
The April 10 Collection Plate was dedicated to this Outreach Collection as will be designated donations through May 1. Be sure to specify “Climate Justice Outreach” on your check. Donations may also be made on the UUFH website “Outreach Fund” choice.
MOUNTAIN TRUE champions the environment in the Southern Blue Ridge/WNC by empowering residents to engage in community planning, policy and project advocacy, and on-the-ground projects. Its affiliate, CREATION CARE ALLIANCE OF WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA (CCAWNC), is a network of people of faith and congregations who have united around a moral and spiritual call to preserve the integrity, beauty, and health of God’s creation.
THE CLIMATE REALITY PROJECT has as its mission to catalyze a global solution to the climate crisis by making urgent action a necessity across every sector of society. The group recruits, trains, and mobilizes people worldwide to become powerful activists to push for aggressive climate action and high-level policies that accelerate a just transition to clean energy.
MAY 1 — A SPECIAL SUNDAY SERVICE ON THE 8TH PRINCIPLE
Helen Bishop will speak on the 8th Principle at this important service. In addition, a DISCUSSION SESSION, your opportunity to speak or ask questions, follows the service.
RESOURCES for the 8th Principle of Unitarian Universalism
Visit this UUA site: 8thprinciplorg
The section is organized by responses to these key questions: What is the origin? — Why now? — Why single out racism? — What is beloved community? — What does it mean to be accountable?
The Fall 2021 UU World contains several articles of interest, including Our Faith Calls Us to Antiracist Work – by Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, our UUA President https://www.uuworld.org/articles/antiracist-faith
2021 Statement of Conscience “Undoing white Supremacy: A Call to Prophetic Action” – adopted at the 2021 General Assembly:
“EXPLORING DIVERSITY THROUGH LITERATURE”
This SJ-ARE project launched in the past year to donate books that feature the many cultures, distinct traditions, and realities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to local schools and other institutions.
This project will help nurture the potential of children in Henderson County by providing literature that reflects and honors their lives and experiences. We believe our community will be enhanced by helping children appreciate themselves and others.
See the NEW project page now on the UUFH website: https://uufhnc.org/justice/exploring-diversity-through-literature/
ELECTION INFORMATION:
IMPORTANT PRIMARY DATES:
April 22 ~ Voter registration deadline for Primary
April 28 ~ One-stop early voting begins for Primary (includes same day voter registration and early voting)
May 14 ~ One-stop early voting ends for Primary
May 17 ~ Primary election (NO same day registration and voting!)
NON-PARTISAN VOTER INFORMATION RESOURCES:
Youcanvote.org, a non-partisan voter empowerment and education group and a UU Justice NC partner has an in-depth voter guide, You Can Vote- voter guide, that contains important information, such as key dates, polling locations, and more, PLUS direct links to official forms.
The website, vote411.org, the informational Voter Guide provided by the League of Women Voters, has non-partisan information on national, state, and local candidates, as well as aids to See What’s On Your Ballot, Check Your Voter Registration, Find Your Polling Place, Discover Upcoming Debates In Your Area, and more.
Information regarding registration to vote, absentee ballots, early voting, precinct/district locations, polling places, is also found at the websites of the NC State BOE and your county Board of Elections. Printable Forms are also available on these sites.
The more that we work together, the greater impact we have.