February 2013: Engaging in and Advocating for Our Core Values

Dear Friends:

As winter ends and we head into spring, our congregations and communities are still engaged in and advocating for our core values.  This issue of Just-Act features an exciting best practice from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, GA on their worship service that connected reproductive justice and the intersectionality of racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, and other systemic oppressions, while our February Social Justice Bulletin includes information on upcoming events and campaign opportunities, with resources on immigrant justice, environmental justice, gun violence prevention, and economic justice.  We are excited to announce a new staff update as well.

Best Practice: Both to launch their participation in the UUA’s new commitment to reproductive justice and to celebrate being the host city for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force’s annual Creating Change conference, the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta (UUCA), GA recently invited Monica Simpson, executive director of SisterSong, to be a very special pulpit guest.  On Sunday, January 27, Monica spoke personally and eloquently about the imperatives of reproductive justice: to enable women to have children or not to have children, and to raise them in a safe and healthy environment. She addressed the intersectionality of racism, classism, sexism, homophobia, and other systemic oppressions that block access to the necessary services, supports, and full range of reproductive choices for all women. Read more on the Standing on the Side of Love blog and listen to Ms. Simpson’s sermon here. 

This issue of our February Social Justice Bulletin is packed with resources and information for congregational justice ministries and upcoming events:

• February 27: A Webinar on Breaking Bread & Building Bridges
• February 28: Taking Action Against Anti-Muslim Bigotry Webinar
• March 15 - 17: Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath Weekend
• March 15 - 17: Allies for Racial Equity Conference: Cultural Humility: Developing Intercultural Competency
• April 22: Earth Day 2013 - Working Towards Sustainable Communities
• Host a Film Screening on Gun Violence
• Tell Congress to Raise the Wage & the UUSC's Behind the Kitchen Door campaign
• Social Justice Award Nominations Wanted!

Finally, we are delighted to have Jessica Halperin join us as Witness Ministries Program Associate in the Witness Ministries team.  Jess was the UU Women’s Federation Clara Barton Intern working out of our Washington Center.  As Witness Ministries Program Associate, Jess will support UU congregations and community leaders in effective faith-based advocacy and witness, with particular attention to reproductive justice and environmental justice issues. 

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