[JTWNews] World AIDS Day, MLK Weekend & More

[Susan Leslie]

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JOURNEY TOWARD WHOLENESS (JTW)- NEWS
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Dear JTW-News Readers:

This issue contains several ways to put our anti-racism/anti-oppression
initiative into action and witness from working to stop the spread of
global aids, to engaging in shareholder advocacy to hold corporations
accountable, to participating in the Let Justice Roll Martin Luther
King, Jr. Sunday on Jan. 15th.  Read more for resources and information.

We want to hear about your congregation's best practices -- send in your
nominations for the UUA Congregational Social Justice Bennett Award
(more below).

In faith, Susan

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DECEMBER 1ST is WORLD AIDS DAY. 

Please see our special front page feature: UUA President and
Congregations Mark Global AIDS Day with Witness and Action at
http://www.uua.org/.

Since the AIDS epidemic began twenty years ago, over twenty-eight
million people have died and an estimated forty-two million are living
with HIV today. Although antiretroviral medicines have dramatically
extended life for some, there is still no cure, no vaccine, and no
short-cut to accessing effective healthcare for the millions affected
who live with poverty, stigma, and little care or support. 

UUA President William G. Sinkford, recently returned from his trip to
Africa, will be in Washington, DC meeting with David Gartner, Policy
Director for the Global AIDS Alliance. The UUA is a member of the Global
AIDS Alliance <http://www.globalaidsalliance.org/>.

The Unitarian Universalist Global Aids Coalition is launching their Red
Ribbon Congregation program on this day. To find out more about this
program and about what UUs are doing to assist people with AIDS and stop
the spread of Global AIDS see our special feature at http://www.uua.org/
. You will also find lots of great resources for your congregation,
including for children.

Please note that UUA Committee on Socially Responsible Investing is
engaged in shareholder advocacy on your behalf with corporations doing
business in Africa as well as with pharmaceutical companies. See
http://www.uua.org/finance/sri/aids_corporate.html  for their report.

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A SPECIAL INVITATION: NOMINATE YOUR CONGREGATION FOR THE SOCIAL JUSTICE
BENNETT AWARD

Applications are due March 1st. Let us know what you are most proud of
your congregation for in your social justice efforts. The winning
congregation will receive a $500 cash prize, will receive the award at a
plenary session at General Assembly, receive coverage in UU World,
Interconnections, www.uua.org , and of course in SAC-News and elsewhere.

{Runner-ups will receive coverage as well for their best practices). 

We would particularly like to hear from congregations that have engaged
in internal anti-racism and anti-oppression work and translated that
into authentic partnerships for dismantling racism and oppression in
their communities.

Go to: http://www.uua.org/awards/bennett.html   for more information
about how to apply and to read about past year's recipients including
the 2004 award winner the Berrien UU Fellowship in St. Joseph MI.

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LET JUSTICE ROLL Living Wage/Just Minimum Wage Resources & Worship
Materials for Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday are now available on the
UUA Justice web pages at
http://www.uua.org/programs/justice/060115_king.html . Dr. King spent
his life working for racial and economic justice and understood the
connections of race and class. 

If you decide to participate or hold a service please register at
www.LetJusticeRoll.org so that we can stand up and count UU
participation!



Susan Leslie
Director for Congregational Advocacy and Witness
Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon Street, Boston MA  02108
(617) 948-4607; sleslie at uua.org
www.uua.org/justice
Subscribe to SAC-News, Advocacy-News, JTW-News & SRI-News at
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