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International News from the UUA (iNews)
July 20, 2012
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Contents:

I. Ugandan UU Rev. Mark Kiyimba Receives NEA Award

Earlier this month, Reverend Mark Kiyimba – the leader of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Uganda – was presented the National Education Association’s “Virginia Uribe Award for Creative Leadership in Human Rights,” an award presented to a nominee whose activities in human rights significantly impact education and the achievement of equal opportunity for those facing discrimination due to their sexual orientation.

Homophobia in Uganda is so strong that an Anti-Homosexuality bill was introduced into the Ugandan Parliament. The bill calls for life imprisonment or death for homosexuals. Rev. Kiyimba is combating this hate and has publicly opposed the attacks on the Ugandan LGBT community in denouncement of the Anti-Homosexuality bill.

The NEA put together a wonderful short video in celebration of Rev. Kiyimba's work; you can also see his acceptance speech here. Please join us in congratulating Rev. Kiyimba!

II. The UU College of Social Justice

The mission of the UU College of Social Justice (UUCSJ) is to increase the capacity of Unitarian Universalists to catalyze justice. UUCSJ is a formal collaboration of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC).

Building on several years of successful UUA-UUSC partnership, especially in the area of disaster response, UUCSJ combines resources of both organizations to offer current leaders and future activists of any age a broad and effective portfolio of service-learning and justice-education experiences.

UUCSJ will assist UU congregations in discerning their focus for social-justice work, effectively harness collective UU power for change, and build capacity for moving justice forward. In all these respects, the college is intended to be an enduring educational institution that transforms lives.

Here's a sampling of some of the UUCSJ's upcoming service learning opportunities:

  • Oct. 5-8, 2012: BorderLinks Immigration Justice Tour [Register By: Aug. 5]
  • Oct. 13–20, 2012: Haiti Just Recovery [Register By: Aug. 5]
  • Nov. 10–20, 2012: Supporter Journey to Tanzania/Burundi [Register By: Sept. 10]
  • Nov. 26–Dec. 5, 2012: UU Holdeen India Program: Justice for Rural India [Register By: Sep. 15]
  • Jan. 5–12, 2013: Haiti Just Recovery [Register By: Oct. 28]
  • Mar. 2–9, 2013: Haiti Just Recovery [Register By: Dec. 30]
  • May 25–Jun. 1, 2013: Haiti Just Recovery [Register By: Mar. 24]
  • May 27-30, 2013: BorderLinks Immigration Justice Tour [Register By: Mar. 24]

For more information, please visit uucsj.org!

III. The "Half the Sky" Movement

The Half the Sky movement is cutting across platforms to ignite the change needed to put an end to the oppression of women and girls worldwide, the defining issue of our time. Inspired by journalists Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s book of the same name, Half the Sky brings together video, websites, games, blogs and other educational tools to not only raise awareness of women’s issues, but to also provide concrete steps to fight these problems

and empower women. Change is possible, and you can be part of the solution. The Series
The Half the Sky project includes a four-hour television series for PBS and international broadcast, shot in 10 countries: Cambodia, Kenya, India, Sierra Leone, Somaliland, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Liberia and the U.S. Traveling with intrepid reporter Nicholas Kristof and A-list celebrity advocates America Ferrera, Diane Lane, Eva Mendes, Meg Ryan, Gabrielle Union and Olivia Wilde, the series introduces women and girls who are living under some of the most difficult circumstances imaginable — and fighting bravely to change them. Their intimate, dramatic and immediate stories of struggle reflect viable and sustainable options for empowerment and offer an actionable blueprint for transformation. The series will premiere in the United States Oct. 1 and 2, 2012, with international broadcast to follow.

This TV series (and the book) provide a great opportunity for individual Unitarian Universalists and UU congregations to develop greater understanding of the global context of Human Rights for Women. And, with that great understanding, to pursue action steps in many ways – including partnering with the UU Holdeen India Program (donate) and the UU United Nations Office (donate) – both of which are actively engaged with partners around the world fighting for Human Rights for Women.

IV. 50 Ways to Cross a Border

We are called to cross borders. Unitarian Universalists (UUs) around the world are involved in that work everyday. Some borders are between countries, others are theological. Some borders are marginalizing, and many are fraught with challenges. In celebration of the strength and courage of UUs crossing borders around the world, the Coalition of UU International Organizations was honored to bring Francisco Javier Lagunes Gaitán, leader of Libre Congregación Unitaria de México and Olga Flores, leader of the UU Community of Bolivia, to the 2012 General Assembly.

View the full video (including transcript) of this special international worship service online!

V. ICUU Global Chalice Lighting - July 2012

The International Council of Unitarians and Universalists announces the 107th in its monthlyseries of global chalice lighting readings. Congregations worldwide are invited toparticipate.All ICUU-affiliated groups have been asked to submit brief chalice lightings for the project.Every month, a reading will be distributed to Unitarian and Universalist congregationsaround the world.

We ask each congregation to use the reading for at least oneworship service in the designated month, identifying it as the “Global ChaliceLighting” for that month and naming the group which submitted it.

Readings willbe circulated in English and, where different, in their original language.It is hoped that the ICUU Global Chalice Lighting Project will enhance the worshipexperience in our congregations and raise awareness of the international dimensions of ourreligious movement. This Global Chalice Lighting is submitted in Danish and English by theDanish Unitarian Church. It is to be used during July 2012.

Overvæld ingen med flotte gaver.
Små ting får ofte megen ros.
Med et brød til deling og en kop sendt rundt fandt jeg venskab.

Load no one with lavish gifts.
Small presents often win great praise.
With a loaf cut and a cup shared I found fellowship.

from the Hávamál (Sayings of the Vikings)submitted by the Danish Unitarian Church

VI. Events
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