October 2006
Welcome to JUUstice News! This monthly e-newsletter provides news about how Michigan UU’s and other activists are working together to influence policy makers on justice issues through the Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN). Send information for this newsletter to Randy Block, Network Manager, at beelock47@comcast.net (248-549-5170) or Network Manager, Lynda Smith, at Lyndajs@earthlink.net (313-617-4615). A copy of this newsletter is attached for duplication and distribution in your congregation.
IN THIS ISSUE:
- Vote NO on Proposal 2: What UU’s Are Doing Before November 7th
- New MUUSJN Co-Chairs Elected: Lucille McNaughton & Rev. Leonetta Bugleisi
- UU Churches Invited to Support Justice Network
- Next MUUSJN Meeting: November 16th
- Military Commissions Act of 2006 Action Alert
Vote NO on Proposal 2: What UU’s Are Doing Before November 7th – Co-Chairs of the MUUSJN Affirmative Action Task Force, Phil Kramer and Barbara Stevenson, urge you to encourage all members of your congregation to vote on November 7. Every vote counts! Talk to your friends about why it’s important to vote NO on Proposal 2.
Another UU group, the New Hope Unitarian Universalist Congregation, is holding a forum on Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (Proposal 2) at 7 p.m. Monday October 30th at 29218 Lyon Oaks Drive in Lyon Township. Call 248-491-4996 for more information. Two more UU churches, (in addition to the UU Church or Greater Lansing and the UU Community Church of Southwest Michigan) have formally voted to oppose Proposal 2: the UU Church of Midland and the UU Church of Flint. For more information, visit the One United Michigan website: www.oneunitedmichigan.org Thanks to all UU’s who’ve been working to educate the public on this important issue!
New MUUSJN Co-Chairs Elected - Lucille McNaughton, Chair of the Social Justice Committee at Birmingham Unitarian Church, and Rev. Leonetta Bugleisi, minister with the Paint Creek UU Congregation, were unanimously elected Co-Chairs of the MUUSJN at the Network’s Steering Committee on October 19th. Lucille and Leonetta, we are honored to have your leadership, your wisdom and your passion for justice.
UU Churches Invited to Support Justice Network – Letters were mailed this month to all UU ministers and Network justice leaders requesting their church’s support for the MUUSJN either through a special offering or through other contributions. The Network needs additional resources to help it move forward on justice commitments in Michigan including campaigns for universal health care, challenging poverty and protecting our environment. Between now and December 31, 2006, every dollar contributed to the MUUSJN up to $2,750 will be matched by a UUA grant.
Please encourage your church to respond generously to this need. Of course, it’s never too late to make a tax deductible individual contribution. Please write your check to the Birmingham Unitarian Church (with MUUSJN in the memo line) and mail it to: Rev. Lynda Smith, Network Coordinator, 1703 Orleans, Detroit, MI 48207
Next MUUSJN Meeting: November 16, 2006 at Northwest UU Church in Southfield - Representatives of UU churches are invited to participate in a MUUSJN Steering Committee meeting at 7 p.m. on November 16th at Northwest UU Church in Southfield located at 23925 Northwestern Highway in Southfield. Along with responding to current justice issues, we’ll discuss the implications of the November 7th election and will take next steps to organizing all-day spring training in how to be effective legislative advocates, hopefully in Lansing. Let us know what kinds of training you would like to see at such a conference. Please call Randy Block at 248-549-5170 or Rev. Lynda Smith at 313-617-4615.
Military Commissions Act of 2006 ACTION ALERT – The UU Service Committee issued an action alert on October 17th which the MUUSJN forwarded on to UU’s that same day. Urge President Bush and your elected official to call for a repeal of the Military Commissions Act of 2006. This new “compromise” law would undermine Americans’ Constitutional rights and legitimize use of torture by U.S. agents. Go to the UUSC Legislative Action Center to express your views: http://capwiz.com/uusc/home/ Thanks to Rev. Harold Beu, minister from Emerson UU Church, for his encouragement to action on this issue.
Darfur Action Alert - As diplomats fiddle, people of Darfur continue to die! Read more about the latest on Darfur by going to the UUSC blog http://www.uusc.org/blog/2006/10/searching-for-jacob.html Darfur will be the focus of UUSC’s Justice Sunday, typically held each spring. Thanks to Pat Blackard from the UU Church of Farmington for expressing her concern about this ongoing human tragedy.
Upcoming Events: See MUUSJN Calendar of Events: www.uujustice.org Get YOUR church’s justice events published on the MUUSJN events calendar by e-mailing Randy Block at beelock47@comcast.net.
