[JTWNews] Global Justice: Action & Resources

Fri Dec 1 12:38:46 EST 2006

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

Today, December 1, 2006, is WORLD AIDS DAY and bells in religious
institutions across the United States will be ringing, not in
celebration, but in solemn remembrance for those around the world who
have died of AIDS. December 1 is World AIDS Day, and while bells toll to
mark the occasion, the Rev. William G. Sinkford, UUA President, will
join advocates from the religious and secular community in gathering at
the Foundry United Methodist Church in Washington, DC, to publicly call
attention to the fact that the United States has not acted responsibly
in helping to eradicate global AIDS and HIV. For the full report please
see http://www.uua.org/news/2006/061128_aids.html.

Dec. 10th is HUMAN RIGHTS DAY.  The National Council of Churches (NCC)
and other coalition partners to Save Darfur have asked us to participate
in the Weekend of Prayer for Darfur, December 8th -10th. All faith
communities are being asked to include a prayer for Darfur in their
weekly services, and to hang a "Call to Your Conscience" banner outside
their house of worship. NCC will deliver the banner to all interested
houses of worship for display during the weekend and beyond. Hundreds of
churches, synagogues and mosques around the country are currently
helping to raise awareness and inspire people to take action by
displaying banners. Sample prayers, bulletin inserts, and other
resources are availabe at
http://www.savedarfur.org/pages/weekend_of_prayer.

This issue of JTW-News also includes information on social justice and
anti-racism/multiraical and multicultural resources, and upcoming
training opportunities and conferences in the new year.  See more below.

In Faith, Susan

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TABLE OF CONTENTS:

1) "Soul Work" Anti-racism Book Discussion Online
2) Spirit in Action Leadership Program, Jan 10-14, Rosendale NY
3) National Conference for Media Reform, Jan. 12-14, Memphis TN
4) Now is the Time: Leading Congregations into a Multiracial
Multicultural Future, UUA Congregational Services, Feb. 16-18, Arlington
VA
5) Turning Toward One Another II, UU Social Justice Ministry
Consultation, February 23-25 First Unitarian Society of Denver

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1) "SOUL WORK ANTI-RACISM BOOK DISCUSSION ONLINE

Thanks to WACAN (White Anti-racist Community Action Network) & copyright
permission from Skinner House Books' Mary Benard to post quotes from the
book liberally, there is now a forum online for a discussion of "Soul
Work: Anti-racist theologies in dialogue".

TO GET STARTED:

If you're already a member of WACAN, you can click this link if you're
currently logged in: http://tinyurl.com/uhqbk

If you're not a member, it is free and they are trustworthy (will not
give your email address out to spammers) & it's open to all who agree to
their policy and post respectfully. Just sign up by going to their home
page:
http://www.wacan.org/

Click on Register HERE! and follow their instructions.

After you're registered and logged in, you will see a page with links on
the left - one for Forums. Click that link & then scroll down (below
Town Square) to the "Moderated forums" section. Click on the link for
"Soul Work: Anti-racist theologies in dialogue". You may want to start
by reading the Introduction. When you finish reading the Introduction,
you can click on Chapter 1: Theology's Great Sin and start the
discussion by replying to that chapter. Other chapters will be posted
later. Once you've posted in a thread and have indicated that you want
to receive replies, you will get an email with future posts (these can
be turned off later if you wish in the "My Profile" section).

Questions about the forum can be directed to Joyce Dowling at
joyce.dowling at comcast.net.

--
Sincerely,
Joyce Dowling, Growth & Public Relations Chair Davies Memorial Unitarian
Universalist Church Camp Springs, Maryland (7 miles SE of DC)
http://www.dmuuc.org "Room for different beliefs. Yours."

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2) SPIRIT IN ACTION'S LEADERSHIP PROGRAM:  Jan 10-14, Rosendale NY

Many of you had an opportunity to hear Linda Stout's featured
presentation at GA last year on building a new democracy movement and
building Circles of Change all around the country.  Here's Linda's
invitation to UUs to attend a national training:

Greetings! 

I wanted to let you know about our upcoming leadership training program.
Come spend five days with us that will re-energize your work! 

Peace and Power,

Linda Stout 

Build relationships and co-create community among a diverse group of
people who value: 

* movement-building 
* working in a heart-centered way 
* healing from our divisions 
* collective visioning for a positive future 
* action for deep and lasting change 
* Take the tools back to your organization or lead a Circle of Change in
your community.

Follow-up leadership support through telephone conference calls.

WHAT BETTER WAY TO SPEND THE WEEKEND BEFORE MLK DAY? 

Lifebridge Sanctuary -- Rosendale, New York

January 10th - 14th (1-3/4 hours north of NYC) www.lifebridge.org 

For more information on the Circles Leadership Network visit
www.spiritinaction.net
or contact Pamela Freeman at pfree12334 at aol.com. (215-844-7566) 

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3) NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR MEDIA REFORM: Jan. 12-14, Memphis TN

Thousands of media reformers are coming to Memphis on January 12-14 for
an unforgettable and inspiring weekend. 

We've told you about all the speakers -- including Bill Moyers, Rev.
Jesse Jackson, Jane Fonda, Amy Goodman, Davey D and now Arianna
Huffington, Laura Flanders and Benjamin Hooks -- and the array of panels
and workshops happening in Memphis. We're putting together a lineup of
great Memphis music and a special event to celebrate the
SavetheInternet.com campaign. 

See http://www.freepress.net/conference/ for more information and how to
register.

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4)NOW IS THE TIME: LEADING CONGREGATIONS INTO A MULTIRACIAL
MULTICULTURAL FUTURE, UUA Congregational Services, Feb. 16-18, Arlington
VA

Ten years ago the General Assembly made a commitment to move toward
becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppressive multicultural Association of
Congregations.  At the 2006 General Assembly the following resolution
written by a GA delegate in response to reports of UUA officers as well
as events impacting Unitarian Universalist communities of color,
especially youth, at the 2005 and 2006 General Assemblies, was
overwhelmingly supported by the delegates from over 600 UU
congregations:

"Resolved, that the Delegates to General Assembly are charged to work
with their congregations to hold at least one program over the next year
to address racism or classism, and to report on that program at next
year's General Assembly." 

NOW IS THE TIME!

Join congregational leaders from around the country as we explore
together what we can do to lead Congregations into a Multi-Racial,
Multi-Cultural Future

WHERE: Key Bridge Marriott, Arlington VA

WHEN: February 16-18, 2007

Online Conference Registration is happening NOW!

http://www.uua.org/cde/nowisthetime2007/index.html

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5)TURNING TOWARD ONE ANOTHER II, UU SOCIAL JUSTICE MINISTRY
CONSULTATION, February 23-25 First Unitarian Society of Denver

Sponsored by the Urban Disciples (Veatch Program on UU Urban Social
Justice Ministry) and the UU Society for Community Ministries (SCM).
Event details including information on registration, program and travel
grant application coming soon. Contact Rev. Deborah Holder at (505)
231-7724 or visit us online at www.urbandisciples.org or www.uuscm.org.

Each of us carries a part of the solution. We gather to nurture the
skills needed for the journey we are called to as progressive people of
faith. Won't you join us?

FEATURING:

*The Witness, Faithful Fools Street Ministry of San Francisco
*Effective Models for Congregation-based Social Justice Ministry
*Interfaith Community Organizing: Theology & Praxis
*UU Community Ministry in the Urban Environment
*Creating Beloved Community - The Good, the Bad & the Ugly
*Dynamic Worship, Dance Party & Networking Opportunities
*Participation Equalization Funds Available

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
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