September 2011 Issue: Building Houses of Love -- Resources & More!

Dear Congregational Leaders:

Today UUA Witness Ministries Director Rev. Craig Roshaven participated in the Shoulder-to-Shoulder interreligious gathering in Washington, D.C. to remember the September 11th attack, mourn victims from the tragedy, and celebrate the religious community’s role in healing a nation still struggling to overcome the fear and division that has defined the decade since the attack.  “Shoulder to Shoulder: Standing with American Muslims; Upholding American Values” is comprised of 26 national religious, faith-based and interfaith organizations who have pledged to work together to promote tolerance and to work to end anti-Muslim bigotry. 

There’s much we can do in this church year to help heal our world. 

To help you in that effort, in this issue you will find:

September Congregational Justice Bulletin with news of upcoming campaigns and resources for the fall: Faith Advocates for Jobs, Indigenous Peoples Day, Food Day, and DREAM Sabbath.

Congregational Best Practice: September 11- A House of Love

This coming Sunday, September 11th, First Parish Cambridge UU in Cambridge, MA will be celebrating Homecoming Sunday.  Rev. Fred Small will preach on “A House of Love” in an intergenerational service.  Worship will be followed by a potluck lunch where the Social Justice Council will be announcing the Social justice Calendar for the year (using the template calendar developed by the UUA). Using the UUA Social Justice Empowerment Model the congregation voted at its June annual meeting to continue its Immigration and Environmental Justice Task Forces.  The Social Justice Council works closely with the Ministers, the Religious Education Director, and the Worship Committee to offer integrated programming for congregants, from offering local foods at the congregation’s Tuesday Meals program to Standing on the Side of Love with marginalized and oppressed communities.  First Parish Cambridge clergy and members will participate in a Sept. 21st vigil with their immigrant rights partner Centro Presente to stop the Boston ICE Secure Communities Program that is breaking apart immigrant families.  On Sept. 24th families will ride their bikes and take public transportation to the Moving Planet rally on the Boston Common for moving beyond fossil fuels.  The congregation will be participating in DREAM Sabbath in Oct & holding a Building the World We Dream About training in Nov.  Throughout the year a variety of service, educational, advocacy, and witness opportunities are being offered to members that connect the congregation's worship, religious education, and justice programming.  

Check out our 2011-2012 Social Justice Calendar, where you can download a PDF and a customizable word version!  

Be sure to visit our Standing on the Side of Love website for updates and www.uua.org/justice for resources and campaigns to connect with your congregation.

Congregational Funding Opportunities!  Reminder: Sept. 15th is the deadline for UU Funding Program applications. Rolling grants are available for congregations engaged in Standing on the Side of Love and for Congregation-Based Community Organizing.

As always, please let us know what your congregation is doing. We can help you with your programs and we would love to feature your best practices!

In faith,
Susan, Audra, Kat, Dan, Taquiena, and Craig

See www.uua.org/justice for resources, campaign stories, and more!