MUUSJN - Issues And Alerts

November 2005

This issue of the Michigan UU Justice News includes:

Report on first conference call between 12 UU church justice leaders

Planning for workshops on advocacy and the Green Sanctuary project

December 15th Network Meeting: 2006 Meeting Schedule

Justice Survey Results Challenge UU Churches to Act on Issues

New MUUSJN website launched

UUA awards MUUSJN a social justice grant

Justice Film Ideas

Information & Technology Advice Requested.

Study/Action Issues for Review in January and February 2006

First Michigan UU Justice Conference Call – On November 28th, Representatives of 12 Michigan UU churches reported on actions at their churches and had a lively discussion about justice issues and MUUSJN survey results through a first MUUSJN justice conference call. They also took first steps toward organizing Michigan justice workshops in 2006.

Examples of justice actions reported in Michigan churches: First Church of Ann Arbor started a religious coalition for abortion rights; Birmingham Unitarian Church organized an “adopt a school” project”; a new congregation created out of Community UU’s of Brighton would like to become a welcoming congregation; UU Church of Detroit started recycling and is supporting women in prison; UU Church of East Liberty engaged their congregation in developing a social justice policy; UU Church of Farmington “adopted” a highway as part of their Green Sanctuary program; UU’s of Grand Traverse are showing social justice videos; People’s Church of Kalamazoo is working on housing as part of an “Isaac” coalition (similar to “MOSES”); UU Church of Greater Lansing started to address the issue of global warming; People’s Church of Ludington has several individuals engaged in social justice activities, including working with local peace groups; Northwest UU Church raised $1,400 to assist Hurricane Katrina victims and has monthly issue discussions; and UU Community Church of Southwest Michigan in Portage developed a process for taking stands on public issues.

There was interest in supporting a single payer universal health care system. Participants agreed about the value of working with coalitions on issues, such as opposing Ward Connerly’s “Michigan Civil Rights Initiative” on the Fall 2006 ballot.

Workshops on advocacy and the Green Sanctuary Project - Participants in the Conference call agreed to support the organization of two MUUSJN justice workshops in year 2006: Training on how UU’s can be more effective justice advocates and how UU churches can implement environmental action through the Green Sanctuary Project. A justice advocacy skills and best practices workshop was tentatively scheduled for spring at the Greater Lansing UU church. The Green Sanctuary workshop, which will include presentations by UU’s who have struggled to implement the Green Sanctuary project in their churches, is tentatively scheduled for summer, possibly in Ann Arbor. To share your ideas about these workshops and/or to get involved with planning, contact Justice Network Coordinator Gwen Winston at 248-233-6162.

December 15th Network Meeting & 2006 Meeting Schedule - The next meeting of the MUUSJN Steering Committee (which is open to all) is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, December 15th at Northwest UU Church in Southfield, 23925 Northwestern Highway, in Southfield. Monthly MUUSJN meetings have been scheduled for the third Thursday of each month during 2006. The Network is also planning to hold quarterly forums for UU’s in different locations throughout Michigan. Your suggestions for dates and places are welcomed.

UU’s Encouraged to Respond to MUUSJN Justice Survey Results - Results of a survey of 472 UU’s from 15 churches to learn their issues priorities were e-mailed to Michigan UU justice leaders. Also, the Heartland UU District agreed to forward these results to all churches in the District, which includes Michigan, parts of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. All UU churches are encouraged to address at least one of the top seven justice priorities which (in rank order) include: universal health care; poverty; environment; civil liberties; abortion/reproductive rights; the War on Iraq; and racial justice. A copy of survey results, including tabulations by church, is attached to this newsletter.

New MUUSJN website launched – You are invited to visit and offer suggestions on a new MUUSJN website: www.michiganuus4justice.homestead.com This new website includes links to Michigan UU churches, a calendar where your justice events can be posted, action alerts, copies of past MUUSJN newsletters, etc. Forward comments to Randy Block: beelock47@comcast.net

UUA Awards MUUSJN a Social Justice Grant - In November 2006, the Unitarian Universalist Social Responsibility Fund awarded the MUUSJN a $5,000 grant to further build the infrastructure of our Michigan justice movement. The Fund, which was impressed with our Network’s plans, also offered a “challenge” grant which will match up to $5,000 in funds contributed to the Network.

Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the MUUSJN. Checks should be made out to the Birmingham Unitarian Church and mailed to Gwen Winston, 23300 Providence Dr., #305, Southfield, MI 48075. Please write “MUUSJN” in the memo section of your check.

The following goals will be supported by the UUA grant and by your contributions:

Recruit 100 MUUSJN members and expand Network representation to 15 churches. (We exceeded these goals, but need to grow more.)

Build capacity to enable UU‘s and other progressives to influence public policies. We conducted an issues survey; we’re building alliances, and created a list-serve. More needs to be done!)

Promote communication on justice making between Michigan UU’s and with the wider community. (We’re organizing teleconferences, the website and writing press releases, but we’ve just begun.)

Promote awareness of the Green Sanctuary project. (We’ve started.)

Encourage congregations to hold UUA Study/Action issue discussions (see #9).

Develop a plan to sustain the Network’s justice work in the future.

Justice Film Ideas – Thanks to Shanna Weggle-Jorgenson of Troy (Emerson Church UU) for automating a list of films which members of the MUUSJN have recommended for promoting discussion of justice issues in their churches. Contact Shanna at 248-528-0311 or shanna@widewopenwest.com to contribute justice film recommendations or to request a list.

Information Technology Advisors Needed - You or someone in your organization may have “IT” expertise that could help the MUUSJN to become a stronger force for justice. Knowledge about affordable software which supports membership database management, surveys, e-advocacy, e-fund raising, promotes website development and maintenance, etc., is welcomed. Contact Randy Block at 248-549-5170 or e-mail: beelock47@comcast.net.

UUA Study/Action Issues - Each year Unitarians (at their UUA General Assembly) vote to identify issues for study and action. Typically, the UUA sends information to churches in December urging discussion and feedback on these Study/Action issues during the months of January and February. The MUUSJN encourages your church to hold discussions on one or both of this year’s issues: “Criminal Justice and Prison Reform” and “Moral Values for A Pluralistic Society”. For more information, visit the UUA website.