Mark your calendars -
UU Mass Action Advocacy Day
is April 11th!
UU Mass Action Newsletter - February 28
ACTION
UU Mass Action Advocacy Day 2017!
When: April 11th, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM
Where: Arlington Street Church & The State House
Register HERE
Now until March 20th:
$25 Standard Registration and $12 Reduced Fee
Starting March 21st, the Registration Fee is $35
Sign up before March 21st and help us to organize the best UU Advocacy Day yet! To read about the details of the day and to see the agenda, Click
HERE
Current legislative priorities: Find the one-sheet summary
HERE
Download the flyer
HERE - please post and help us spread the word!
Share the Facebook Event Link!
“
Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect.”
Chief Seattle Duwamish (1780-1866)
The events that unfolded last week at the Oceti Sakowin Camp were painful to watch but the protest that unfolded is far from over. Learn more about how you can support this indigenous led movement, as well as the
march in prayer and action in Washington DC on March 10th
Get involved with local action:
Support Indigenous Peoples Day Massachusetts
Make time to learn about the local First Nations, the Puritans, colonialism and the roles Unitarians during the 1600’s and beyond. In the words of James Baldwin, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” It’s time to face our history as Unitarian Universalists. The UU Mass Action First Nations working group has created a study and discussion guide to help you with this.
You can find the resources on our webpage.
Immigrant Rights Update
The
Safe Communities bill has a record breaking 94 co-sponsors! Is your legislator on this list? Take a moment to email/call and say thank you!
Find my Legislator’s info
The time to representatives to sign on has passed but it’s not too late for senators. Is your senator missing from this list? Give them a call and ask for their support! Ask them to co-sponsor SD.1596
Council on State Government Update - EMIT
The final CSG report has been issued and
Governor Baker has filed his version of a criminal justice omnibus bill. It was hoped (and promised) that a comprehensive bill would be joint filed by the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker and Chief Justice. This will not be happening. The final report focuses on the “back end” of incarceration, programs while incarcerated and post release. The goal of the UU Ending Mass Together (EMIT) Incarceration team and our coalition partners is to stop sending people to jail in the first place. This approach focuses on ending the criminalization of poverty and addiction and seeks alternatives approaches when an offense is committed, such as restorative justice.
If you’d like to read the CSG Report, click
HERE
News article on the conference
Be Heard! Commonwealth Conversations 2017
Let our Senators know what you care most about. These forums are open to the public. Be sure to arrive early if you want a chance to speak! Click on the links below to learn more.
South Shore, February 28th
Southeast, March 7th
Central Mass, March 14th
Northeast, March 21st
Western Mass, March 28th
Metrowest, April 4
North Shore, April 11th
Events, Education and Forums
Looking for ways to live your values?
Note: Events Below are sponsored or co-sponsored by UU Mass Action, or are being offered by our UU partners
Creating Sanctuary - UU College of Social Justice and UURISE
This webinar will be led by the UU College of Social Justice and Katia Hansen, President and CEO of UU Refugee & Immigrant Services and Education (UURISE), and will focus specifically on what it means to become a Sanctuary congregation and how to get there. We’ll also consider other ways to be in solidarity with those most at risk in this new political landscape.
Open to all: The Path Toward Sanctuary: A Practical Guide
Monday, February 27 7:00-9:00 pm (ET)
Register here: https://uusc.zoom.us/webinar/register/0fc7045d80e5cfcf7c24e00bf0acd2b8
HOSTED BY THE NEW ENGLAND REGION G.R.A.C.E. TEAM (Growing Racial And Cultural Equity)
REGISTER NOW for these FREE sessions
Waking Up to Whiteness in Your Congregation
February 28, 7:00 - 8:30 PM
Recent events have made it clearer to many that we do not live in a post-racial country. Whiteness is still the default culture in many of our institutions - including our congregations. Are you hoping to inspire and support your congregation to look at its culture to see how whiteness may be limiting your ministries and welcome? Whether you attended the GRACE Summit in November or not, you are sure to get some ideas for addressing whiteness in your congregation from this web conversation. We'll explore the concept of whiteness and consider strategies and best practices for lovingly waking folks up to whiteness.
Beyond Banners TBA, mid-March
So, your congregation has a Black Lives Matter banner. Now what? How do you continue your commitment to social and racial justice beyond the banner? Come learn with others who are considering the same questions you are. [If interested, register now and we'll let you know when the date is as soon as it's set. We understand the date might not work for you and will adjust accordingly.]
It’s Our Future - Environmental Legislative Forum
When: Wed March 1, 7:00 PM (doors open at 6:30 PM)
Where: First Parish in Framingham, 24 Vernon St, Framingham
Join us for a discussion of Massachusetts legislation that has been proposed for the current session to address climate and renewable energy issues. We will be joined by State Senators Karen Spilka and Jamie Eldridge, as well as State Representatives Chris Walsh, Carmine Gentile and Jack Lewis.
We the People - Fixing Our Broken Democracy
When: Thur March 2, 7:00 - 8:45 PM
Where: Maynard Public Library in the Roosevelt Room, 77 Nason St., Maynard (parking and entrance is behind the building)
"Fixing Our Broken Democracy" traces the evolution of corporate power and the loss of our democracy through an engaging multimedia presentation and small group discussions. We end by discussing legislation pending in Massachusetts that would make the state a leader in promoting the US Constitutional Amendment that we need to take back our democracy.
Palestinians in Cambridge: Voices from the Diaspora, Opening
When: Thurs March 2, 6:00 PM
Where: Gutman Library Research Center, 6 Appian Way, Cambridge Facebook Event Page
An exhibit of photographic portraits and excerpts from interviews with Palestinians living, studying or working in Cambridge about life and identity in the Diaspora. Runs through the month of March.
30th Local Environmental Action Conference!
When: Sun March 5, 8:30 - 6:00 PM
Where: Northeastern University’s Curry Center, Boston
Lead Sponsors: Toxic Action Center & Mass Climate Action Network Register
Register now for the opportunity to join community leaders, environmental advocates and activists from across New England for an exciting day of skills training, networking, and inspiration. Whether you have been to every conference or are attending for the first time, be sure not to miss this amazing opportunity to connect and grow our grassroots movement.
Keynote Speakers: Lois Gibbs and Kandi Mossett
Kandi Mossett (Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara – North Dakota) has emerged as a leading voice in the fight to bring visibility to the impacts that climate change and environmental injustice are having on Indigenous communities across North America.
Lois Gibbs has lead many environmental movements for several decades. She initially became alarmed about reports of chemical waste in her neighborhood in Niagara Falls, New York.
Black Lives Matter UU Mass Action Working Group, Quarterly Meeting
When: Sun March 5, 4:00 -6:00 PM
Where: First Parish In Cambridge, 3 Church St Cambridge
We had to postpone our 2/12/17 meeting due to the weather. We have rescheduled it for Sunday, March 5, 2017, 4-6 p.m. at First Parish Cambridge in Harvard Square. An updated Proposed Agenda can be found
HERE. Please join us.
Creation Care Leadership Through Organizing
When: Four Saturday afternoons: March 18 & 25, April 1 & 8
Where: Bethel AME, 40 Walk Hill St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130; Embassy Room, Youth Center
Register today at:
http://conta.cc/2kIahUg
Registration limited and available on first come first served basis. No Fee. Two Participants per congregation recommended – no more than three. A light meal will be served. Convenient to MBTA Orange Line, Forest Hills station and buses. All faiths welcome!
For more information contact: Vince Maraventano: vince@MIPandL.org or 617-244-0755
Topics: • New Creation Care Ethics — How Climate, Economic & Social Justice are related • Psychology of Climate Change — Honoring Our Fears • Climate Conversations — Communicating Effectively about Climate Change • Introduction to Public Narrative — The Story of Self • Building Strong Teams — The Story of Us • Effective Goal Setting & Campaign Strategy — The Story of Now
Speakers:
Rev Mariam White-Hammond Minister of Ecological Justice Bethel A.M.E. Church
Vince Maraventano, M.Div. Executive Director MA Interfaith Power & Light,
Emily Kirkland Director of Organizing 350 Mass. for a Better Future
Andy Gordon Legislative Coordinator 350 Mass. for a Better Future
Lead sponsor: MA Interfaith Power & Light
FORUM on PreTrial Justice and the Massachusetts Bail Fund
When: Sat March 25, 1:00 to 3:00 pm
Where: All Souls Church, 196 Elm Street, Braintree 781 843 1388
Handicap Accessible
Most people incarcerated in any given year have not been convicted of anything. They simply cannot afford bail, however small it may be, to be able to wait at home for their court date. Come learn about the state of pretrial justice, legislative efforts to reform bail on Beacon Hill, and how the Massachusetts Bail Fund is making a difference in five counties.
Speakers:
Atara Rich-Shea, Operations Director of the Mass Bail Fund who will give us an overview on Pretrial Justice
Meghann Perry Public Speaker and Recovery Coach who will share her personal experience
Free to attend. Refreshments will be served.
RSVP requested but not required
Facebook page link https://www.facebook.com/events/216528878753296/
New England Regional Assembly - Register now!
When: Fri April 21 & Sat April 22
Where: Hilton, Boston/Woburn, 2 Forbes Rd, Woburn MA
See flyer for more details REGISTER
Celebrate our Unitarian Universalist Faith through inspired worship, music, engaged learning, fun and fellowship. Meet UUA presidential candidates.
Sing. Reflect. Make Connections.
Awaken your spirit!
RESOURCES
Through a joint UUSC, UUA, and College of Social Justice’s Solidarity and Sanctuary initiative, the
Congregational Action Guide has been published which offers a wide range of suggested actions related to making municipalities, counties, and schools safer, more welcoming for all – particularly undocumented immigrants, Muslims, people of color, and the LGBTQ community. The actions vary in the amount of energy and experience required so as to provide ideas for congregations of different sizes, capacities, and political environments. Some are geared towards policy advocacy while others involve developing and strengthening relationships with grassroots groups doing local organizing. There is also a category of possible discernment steps.
You can find it at:
http://uucsj.org/solidarity-sanctuary-options-for-congregational-action/
Save the Date!
UUJEC: Reversing Inequality Conference
When: April 3-5
Where: Washington DC
For registration and more information Click
HERE
People’s Climate March
When: Sat April 29, 9:00 AM
Where: Washington DC
For more details, see
Facebook Event Page
Is your congregation planning to organize a bus? Are you thinking about going to the March? Let me know. UU Mass Action will explore booking a bus for MA UUs
Lwagner@uumassaction.org
