September 2005
This issue of the MUUSJN News includes:
- Next meeting - September 13th
- New MUUSJN Justice Network Coordinator Hired
- New MUUSJN Brochure (attached)
- Justice Issues Survey Coming to Michigan UU Churches
- ACTION ALERT - Call for Justice Weekend on Torture
- ACTION ALERT - Planned Parenthood Supreme Court Action Days
- Counter Military Recruitment Training - August 28th
- WILPF Water Conference - September 10th in Southfield
- Universal Health Forum - October 17th, UAW Local 600, Dearborn
- UU's Go To Media About Local Hate Crimes
- Director of UUSC Speaks in Michigan
- UUA President Rejects Pat Robertson's Words of Violence
The next meeting of the MUUSJN will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, September13th at the Northwest UU Church, 23925 Northwestern Highway in Southfield. Our meetings are action packed and enjoyable too! If you are within driving distance, we hope to see you then.
MUUSJN Staff Hired - Gwen Winston was hired on August 11th to serve as (a 22 hour per month) Justice Network Coordinator, a new position established when the MUUSJN received a $10,000 grant from the UU Service Committee. Gwen is a wonderful addition to our volunteer efforts to network for justice in Michigan. She is a member of 1st UU Church of Detroit and works as a consultant for various justice and community service programs. You may contact her at gwenbwin@gbaileywinston.com or 313-874-8463.
New MUUSJN Brochure - Attached to this e-mail is a new MUUSJN brochure due to go to the printer in the few days. The brochure tells about
our Network's mission, goals, and history and provides a membership application form. Becoming a member of the MUUSJN is one way others can get justice updates and be part of our grass roots justice movement. We'll mail copies of the brochure to all Michigan churches and fellowships.
Justice Issues Survey - With your assistance, during September, UU's all over Michigan will be checking off their top justice issues on the attached survey. Results of this survey will help us learn what justice issues are priorities for action by Michigan UU's. Surveys and a letter with further instructions will be soon mailed to justice leaders (or ministers) within each Michigan UU church.
ACTION ALERT - The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) is calling upon UU's across the nation to endorse and to go to Washington D.C. to participate in a Call for Justice Weekend on Torture. Here's an update and link from UUSC:
Dear Colleagues,
As we approach the end of Summer and the beginning of a new congregational year I am thinking about UUSC's Justice Weekend scheduled to take place in Washington, D. C. September 24-26, 2005. Here's the link.
The campaign's director, Jennifer Harbury, has created a peoples' indictment of Mr. Rumsfeld, Mr. Tenet and Mr. Gonzales alleging their complicity in U. S. sponsored torture. There will be workshops on Saturday, September 24th; there is also a significant anti-war march scheduled for Saturday afternoon (United for Justice and Peace, etc.)
On Sunday UUSC will conduct a formal mock trial of the three individuals named in the peoples' indictment. It will be held at the Holiday Inn on the Hill, 415 New Jersey Avenue, NW, Washington. (UUSC's toll free phone # is: 1-800-388-3920.)
Jackie Ladd, UUSC
ACTION ALERT - Concerned by what you are hearing about Supreme Court nominee Judge John Roberts? Take action to make sure the senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee ask the right quesitions. Join Planned Parenthood of Michigan for Supreme Court Days of Action. We will be making phone calls from two sites in Michigan to pro-choice supporters in key states, urging them to take action and call their senators on the Judiciary Committee. The dates for these phone calls will be from 5:30 - 9 p.m. August 29th - September 8th in locations in Detroit and Lansing. Click on the following link for more information, click here.
April 28th Training to Counter Military Recruitment in Schools - Mary Lou Malone from 1st UU Church of Detroit requested that this announcement be sent to people on the MUUSJN mailing lists: Counter Recruitment Workshop, Sunday, August 28, 2005, Berkley First United Methodist Church, 2820 W. 12 Mile Road, parking behind old Berkley Theatre. Registration/Refreshments: 1:45 p.m., Workshop: 2 p.m. (Prompt) until 6 p.m. *Reservations and a $5-$20 donation requested; $3 for students. For more information, to get involved, or to make reservations, e-mail eleanorenlg@hotmail.com or leave a message at (313) 963-0843. This workshop will help prepare and network individuals participating in outreach to counter military recruitment in our communities.
WILPF Water Is A Right Conference - The MUUSJN is a co-sponsor of the following conference on water as a right organized by the Women's International League for Peace & Freedom (WILPF). Register soon!
WILPF offers WATER IS A RIGHT BASED IN THE COMMON GOOD, September 10, 2005, 8:30 am - 2:30 p.m. Southfield Public Library, 26000 Evergreen. AM - Symposium: Save the Water & Impact of Common Good. Michigan Water Organizations: all present their history. Lunch - $10;
PM - Today & Tomorrow: Shared Initiatives to Strengthen Water Efforts
Register: Email- watersymp910@aol.com Call or fax: 734-287-0815.
Universal Health Forum - The MUUSJN is co-sponsor of an October 17th forum to promote universal health care via HR. 676, The United States National Health Insurance Act. The forum will be held 6-8 p.m. at UAW Local 600 in Dearborn, Michigan. The MUUSJN will have a table at this event. If you want more information or are willing to help distribute our material, please call Randy Block at 248-549-5170.
UU's Respond to Cross Burnings - The MUUSJN Steering Committee sent the following letter to the editor to about 25 Southeast Michigan newspapers. So far, at least three newspapers have agreed to publish it, including the acknowledgement of our UU Network:
It's Time to Unite to Challenge Hate Crimes
Twisted minds recently tried to rob the dignity of families in cross-burning and other hate crimes in Dearborn Heights, Trenton, Warren, Taylor and Troy. The victims should know that others care. We all have a stake in challenging hate and working for justice. It's time for all of us, whatever nationality or religion, to unite to create safe and peaceful communities.
Randy Block, Co-Chair
Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network
Director of UUSC Speaks in Michigan - Dr. "Charlie" Clements, Director of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, spoke with passion as he told UU's at Michigan's Birmingham Unitarian Church on August 21st to be courageous in challenging corporate corruption and work to preserve human rights and liberties. He also pledged four more years of financial support ($10,000/year) to the MUUSJN. We appreciate this commitment to justice and will seek to be worthy of this trust.
UUA President Rejects Pat Robertson's Violent Words - Bill Sinkford, UUA President, recently made a public statement opposing televangelist Pat Robertson's recent call on his 500 Club program to assassinate the elected President of Venezuela:
"I join with National Council of Churches in Christ General Secretary, the Rev.
Bob Edgar, in rejecting the Rev. Pat Robertson's suggestion that the U.S. should
execute President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela. As a religious leader, as a person
of faith, and as an American I must reject any kind of religious fundamentalism
that condones violence, whether it comes from terrorists abroad or prominent
Christian leaders here at home. I hope my colleagues in faith and in this
country will do the same."
For more informaiton on MUUSJN activities or to submit requests to publish justice items, contact Randy Block at beelock47@comcast.net or call 248-549-5170.
