UU Mass Action Newsletter
Action Update Sept 26
Our Vision: A world where all people are honored and valued
ACTION & RELATIONSHIP BUILDING OPPORTUNITIES
Building Relationship with our First Nations Friends
Have you watched the events unfolding around the Dakota Access Pipeline and wished to be in relationship with local indigenous peoples? Have you thought, “How can we work together here in Massachusetts?”
Here’s an opportunity for you!
UU Mass Action developed a working group last year and is in the process of developing relationships with local indigenous communities. We are currently exploring how to expand Indigenous People’s Day in our state, along with several other ideas. If you’d like to get involved, say yes to one of the actions below.
An important first step is to answer a call for support. The North American Indian Center of Boston in Jamaica Plain has asked for help with repairing their community building.
We are putting together a work group that is willing to donate their time to paint a room or two and do minor, cosmetic repairs. We will go in together as a group over a weekend or 2-3 Saturdays. We’ll work out the schedule together when we know who’s coming (likely in November).
Actions you can take:
- Let Laura Wagner know if you’d like to be part of the work group
- Join our working group meeting on: Thursday Sept 29th from 2:00-3:30 at First Parish in Cambridge
- Join our First Nation’s google group and stay informed about latest developments
- For actions 1-3, contact Laura Wagner Lwagner@uumassaction.org
Can’t join the work group? Please donate painting supplies and/or funds to UU Mass Action so that we can buy paint and supplies as, well. You can do this by:
- Sending us a check, put NAIC of Boston in the memo line and send it to: UU Mass Action, PO Box 224, Greenbush, MA 02040
- Make a donation on-line and then send Laura Wagner an email telling her it’s for this project. Donate on our website: www.uumassaction.org Laura’s email: Lwagner@uumassaction.org
Thank you!!
Sign up for the “Rethinking Social Justice” webinar. This is your opportunity to ask questions about the changes being made at UU Mass Action and to learn how to incorporate these changes into your congregation’s social justice work. When:
Thurs Sept 29, 7 - 8:30 PM Register
HERE (free)
As UU’s we need to focus on one, shared vision of justice and then identify the many pathways we can take to make that vision a reality. Like pieces of a puzzle, it is important that we know how each piece - each pathway - fits together. A shared vision allows us to work towards the same goals.
Pipeline Resistance Opportunity
Governor Baker is trying to convince state residents that the entire business community supports pipeline projects and that we need fracked gas in Massachusetts.
This is not true. These new and proposed projects will only benefit the gas companies, who stand to profit from them.
UU Mass Action, as part of the MA Power Forward Coalition, is seeking volunteers who are willing to speak to local small businesses and asked them to oppose the construction of new pipelines.
How you can get involved:
1. Host an event at you church - ask people to contact their favorite local businesses and ask the owner to sign on in support, and oppose new pipeline projects. Collect the letter of support and send them to Laura Wagner
2. Identify small business owners in your congregation - Some folks in your congregation may be small business owners - ask them to sign on during coffee hour.
We have a goal of signing on 500 businesses - we can easily beat this goal if we work together!
If you’d like to host one of these events, contact Laura Wagner and she will get you the materials you need. lwagner@uumassaction.org
EVENTS, EDUCATION AND FORUMS
Note: Events Below are sponsored or co-sponsored by UU Mass Action, or are being offered by our UU partners
Embodied Speaking: The Art of Presenting with Heart, Mind and Body
When: Sept 28th, 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Where: First Church in Belmont, 404 Concord Ave, Belmont
A program for speakers, interfaith clergy, seminarians, social activists and religious leaders
Speaking without a manuscript, from the heart, is an essential art for communicating with presence, authenticity and power. TED talks, Moth Story Hour, and Story Slams are examples. Fortunately, now you can learn or further develop your skills in a supportive and exciting environment with both beginners and experienced practitioners of this art.
Presenters: Rev Stephen Shick and Rev. Dr. M’Ellen Kennedy
Registration link: http://www.preachingbyheart.org/future-workshops
Flyer and more info: Click HERE
Justice & Equity Conference
When: Sat Oct 1st 10:00 AM (9:30 Registration) to 2:00 PM - Lunch Included
Where: All Souls Church, 196 Elm St, Braintree (Handicap Accessible)
This is an important time in the struggle for equity, issues of faith and the need for action. Panel presenters will provide information on the progress of the Fair Share Amendment and what you can do help get this passed. There will also be a panel to discuss Criminal Justice reform in Massachusetts and the anticipated impact of the Council of State Governments’ Study that’s due to be published near the end of 2016.
Participants will have the opportunity for discussion and to learn more about how individuals and congregations can join the movement for justice.
(Free)
Flyer Here
Massachusetts Native Peoples Working Groups: Land, ICWA, Indian Arts, and Education
When: Sat October 1, 2016, 10 AM - 1:00 PM
Where: Nipmuc Nation Tribal Office, 25 Main St., South Grafton, MA
Building upon the momentum generated from the Working Groups established on May 11 at Suffolk University Law School, this follow-up event will allow Working Groups to meet again and continue their discussions on facing and responding to challenges. Part of event will be devoted to examining the state recognition/acknowledgment.
All are welcome to attend.
Note: Laura Wagner was asked to let the organizers know how many UU’s plan on attending. Please send me an email if you plan to attend this event.
Lwagner@uumassaction.org
First Religious Society in Newburyport Presents,
An Evening with Wen Stephenson, Author of, “What We’re Fighting for Now is Each Other”
When: Tue Oct 4th at 7:00 PM
Where: First Religious Society of Newburyport, 26 Pleasant St, Newburyport
Mr. Stephenson will offer an up-close, on-the-ground look at remarkable, courageous people who have laid everything on the line to forestall the impacts of climate change in their communities. The lecture will begin at 7PM with a reception and discussion to follow.
The lecture and discussion will cover the stories of many of those who inspired Mr. Stevenson’s commitment and offer insights into how people can engage, from conserving fossil fuels to helping lobby political leaders for necessary government action. In addition, local leaders will share their own insights and offer suggestions how to engage in our community.
More Info & Flyer
UUSC webinar: 
Defying Hate: Addressing hateful speech and polarization in our communities and schools
When: Tue October 4, 4:00 p.m. ET Click HERE to register
In our current political climate, it is crucial that we are prepared to respond both interpersonally and institutionally against hateful speech – yet it’s hard to figure out what forms of engagement actually create deeper connection and change instead of increased conflict and polarization. Join our conversation with experts from a variety of fields as we explore effective ways of responding to public expression of bigotry and hate.
We can stop climate catastrophe If we are up to the challenge! Here’s How!
An Open Forum with Dr. Robert Pollin -
Co-director, Political Economy Research Institute and Professor of Economics @ UMASS-Amherst. Author: Greening the Global Economy (M.I.T. Press) 
When: Wednesday, October 5, 7pm – 9pm
Where: Cambridge Friends Meeting House, 5 Longfellow Park (off Brattle Street out of Harvard Square)
Come hear Robert Pollin lay out his economic plan for how we can meet the carbon reduction targets that will actually avert climate catastrophe, generate vast numbers of new jobs and protect those employed by fossil fuel energy companies.
Great things are happening in Massachusetts, and across the country. Are they enough to stop catastrophic climate change? How would we know? What would be required to actually bring about success?
Is it possible to prevent climate change as long as the U.S. engages in constant war and preparation for war? The U.S. Pentagon with its wars, bases and weaponry is the largest single producer of carbon emissions on the face of the earth. And a major goal of these wars is to protect the constant expansion of the global economy and the fossil fuel energy system that powers it.
In addition to Dr. Pollin’s talk/discussion and a brief presentation on how climate and anti-war activists can connect their issues, we will discuss important climate initiatives and opportunities for action this fall.
Special Guest: Emily Kirkland of 350MA
Sponsored by Mass. Peace Action, 350MA, Unitarian Universalist Mass. Action, Clean Water Action, Sierra Club-Mass Chapter, American Friends Service Committee, 350MA Cambridge Node For Information call 617-623-5288
Berkshire Speaker Series: Whitney Battle Baptiste -
Fear, Anger and burning houses: WHY BLACK LIVES MATTER NOW, IN THIS MOMENT !
When: Sunday, October 9th at 2PM
Where: Unitarian Meeting, 1089 Main St, Housatonic, MA 413.358.3877
Climate Change and The Growing Risk of Nuclear War
Presented by, Physicians for Social Responsibility
For the complete list of sponsors, go to the Facebook Link
When: Sat Oct 15th, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Where: Tufts School of Medicine, Sackler Auditorium, 145 Harrison Ave, Boston
While there are many enormous public health threats facing humanity today, two of them, climate change and nuclear war are unique in the existential threat they pose to human civilization and the survival of our species. Physicians for Social Responsibility, supported by our global federation, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War, plans to explore the important links between the two at Climate Change and the Growing Risk of Nuclear War: a Health Care Perspective
Speakers will include:
• Jennifer Leaning, MD, SMH, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Barry Levy, MD, MPH, Tufts University School of Medicine
• Bill McKibben, Middlebury College,
350.org
• Catherine Thomasson, MD, Executive Director, Physicians for Social Responsibility
• Ira Helfand, MD, co-President, IPPNW
Registration is free and open to the public. Register by either clicking on the "Tickets Available" link or visiting
psr.org/symposium (which also includes the full symposium schedule). This event will be livestreamed on
youtube.com/psrnational/live
Noam Chomsky, “Extinction or Internationalist”
With Wallace Shawn, of screen and theater fame
When: Wed Oct 19th, 7:00 PM
Where: 645 Boylston St., Boston
Tickets are free, but
CLICK HERE to reserve and learn more information
This presentation is sponsored by the Wallace Action Fund
Interfaith Climate Action Meeting
When: Sun Oct 30th, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Where: First Church of Christ, 763 Longmeadow St (Hwy 5), Longmeadow
Leaders, activists, and concerned members of Springfield area congregations of all faiths are invited to meet together on Sunday, October 30, to explore ways of working together to address concerns of global warming and climate change.
Attendees will examine what local congregations and individuals of faith can do, discover available resources, and help determine the organization and work of the Springfield Area Interfaith Climate Action Network (SAICAN).
Presenters include the Rev. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas, Missioner for Creation Care for both the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ; Dr. Marty Nathan of Climate Action Now; and Jesse Lederman of Springfield Climate Justice Coalition.
For more information, contact Joelle Million, (413) 754-3550),
jmillion46@gmail.com
UU Society of Greater Springfield is a member of SAICAN
