The Latest from Social Justice Folks working on our Compassion4Campers project remind us that there is a serious need for non-perishable food supplies, particularly easy to prepare canned goods and foods with high protein content that can be taken back to the camps of the homeless for easy preparation. Fresh, not easily damaged fruit like oranges and apples are also good as are items like protein bars and trail mix. And there is a continuing need for insect repellent, sun screen, toilet paper rolls sealed in baggies, wet wipes and small personal hygiene products. Donated items can be left in the collection box outside Rev. Sean’s office. And a tip-o’-the-hat to M. E. and Arion Tanabe for offering their talents and opening their home at 3250 Boerderij Way in Woodstock for two concerts of classical music to benefit Compassion4Campers at 7 pm, Saturday July 19 and 2 pm, Sunday July 27. The concerts will feature piano performances of works by Bach, Brahms, and Schubert and vocal interpretations Schubert as well as French and American Art Songs. For more information call 815 337-9895 or e-mail [email protected]. Our next Second Sunday Collection on August 10 will benefit the McHenry FISH Food Pantry. Pray, Act, Witness, Commit Civil Disobedience for Relief! Not One More Family Separated – Not One More Deportation! Come to Washington, DC Thursday, July 31-Saturday, August 2, 2014 Bring Prophetic Witness * Stand for Justice * Stand on the Side of Love On June 29th, delegates at the Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly in Providence , RI passed an Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) calling on UUs to join national faith leaders and immigrant rights advocates from across the nation on July 31st to August 2nd to call on the White House to stop the deportations of immigrants and end the unjust laws tearing apart families, communities and congregations. The AIW called for UUs to consider participating in planned civil disobedience on July 31. It also called on UUs to support the National Day Laborer Organizing Network #Not1More Deportation Campaign. Not One More will have a Day of Action in DC on August 2. We hope you will join us. More details about the days of action will be provided following your sign up. Church housing (bring your own sleeping bag) and low-cost ($50 and below) housing options both exist. For more information and to register visit standingonthesideoflove.org/immigration/pray-for-relief-take-actions-to-stop-deportations/ UUs for Social Justice (UUSJ) in the Washington, DC area are also working with the coalition and looking into UU congregation housing and home hospitality. The Interfaith Immigration Coalition is encouraging people to come in teams with at least one member getting arrested and others providing support and witness. Those planning to get arrested need to bring $100.00 cash to pay fines that are generally between $50 and $100. The Unitarian Universalist Advocacy Network of Illinois (UUANI) actively lobbied the Illinois General Assembly for a long over-due increase in the state minimum wage. Instead, the legislature put the issue on the November ballot as an advisory referendum. A message from Rev. Scott Aaseng, Chair of UUANI says: “UUANI is working with Raise Illinois, a coalition of over 60 organizations around the state, to mobilize 226,000 unlikely voters to vote for the referendum and secure a 60% mandate for raising the minimum wage. “For UUANI to do our part we need to build capacity, so we are inviting congregations around the state to send leaders to a networking, training, and planning event on Saturday, August 2 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington-Normal, 1613 E. Emerson St. in Bloomington, IL. The training on increasing congregational participation in social action will be led by organizer Ryan Wallace of Community Renewal Society, a 130 year-old organization that trains and empowers churches to advocate effectively for justice. We will start promptly at 9:00 am and end promptly at 1:00 pm, with an opportunity to network and put our skills into action over lunch (provided). You are also invited to stay from 1:00 to 3:00 pm for an action planning session on passing the referendum in November.” This effort meshes nicely with the UUA’s recently adopted Study/Action Issue on Escalating Inequality. If you are interested in attending this event—especially if you can drive to Bloomington, please contact Patrick Murfin at 815 814-5645 or e-mail [email protected]. A reminder that we will be looking for fresh bodies and voices on the Social Justice Committee in the coming church year, including a new Chair! Interested? Contact out-going Chair Patrick Murfin at 815 814-5645 or e-mail [email protected]. The next Social Justice Committee meeting will next gather on Tuesday, August 6 at 7 pm. All are invited to participate. Patrick Murfin, Social Justice Chair
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 14:55:31 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015