Justice

Join the “Get Out the Vote – Postcard Club”

The UUCM Bending the Arc Task Force invites you to be a member of our “Get Out the Vote – Postcard Club.”

We know how important it is to get registered Black infrequent voters to vote in the General Election – with an emphasis on early voting. Each month from June through mid-October, those interested will be provided with a packet of 20 postcards, stamps and addresses. Those who are able, cover the $10 cost per packet. Those who want to support the effort but not write postcards can be “funding members” and support costs for others for whom cost is an issue.

Anyone can join the club – UUCM community, your family, friends, or anyone who wants to help counter voter suppression and the assaults on our democracy.

Our current target is Virginia. The last election changed the balance of decision makers in favor of voting restrictions. This election matters a lot in correcting that.

Postcard Packets

Pick up your packets on Sunday during service hours or M-F from 8:30-noon. If you need help getting yours, contact Gail Johnson Vaughan at gjohnsonvaughan@uugrassvalley.org.

Only want to do a few postcards? Join our pre & post service postcard parties in the UUCM library.

Postcard writing tips: 
1. Don’t wait to start.
2. Even putting in 5 minutes a day will get you done soon.
3. If you are using colors for your postcards try this trick. Do the whole pile of cards one color at a time. Seems like it goes much faster.

Getting Out the Vote – Texting

Writing postcards not your thing but still want to help? Structured texting campaign lets you text 500-1000 pre-written texts per hour. Go to: centerforcommonground.org/texting

For more information or to join the club, contact Gail Johnson Vaughan at gjohnsonvaughan@uugrassvalley.org.

Initiative #2 of the UUCM Bending the Arc of Racial Justice Task Force is to ask UUCM members to vote to adopt the 8th Principle at our Annual Community Business Meeting in May 2023.  In turn, that decision will inform our 3 delegates attending the June 2023 UUA General Assembly.

As determined by the membership size, UUCM is allowed 3 voting delegates.  So far, 216 UUA congregations have adopted the 8th Principle.

E-chalice articles, such as this one, will suggest resources for learning opportunities as we prepare for voting.  These resources are meant to stimulate formal and informal conversations during the coming months.  Later this Fall and Winter there will be scheduled opportunities for both in-person and Zoom study, discussion, and deliberations.  

The 8th Principle draft reads: We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote…..‘journeying toward spiritual wholeness by working to build a diverse and multicultural Beloved Community by our actions that accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions in ourselves and our institutions.’  There will be opportunities for wordsmithing, so if this is ‘your thing’ let Janet Dunstan know and she’ll help facilitate connections for participation in this important work.

As a starting place, some context on how the 8th Principle proposal began may be useful by reading a historical perspective called “Findings Related to the Southern Regional Lead Hiring Decision, Spring 2017” contained in the 2020 report from The Commission on Intuitional Change. See Appendix I Widening the Circle, Appendix I.pdf report. (20 short pages).

The comprehensive report called “Widening the Circle of Concern” includes significant and specific recommendations to UUA and congregations.  Both an audio and a written report are available and can be found at https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/cic/widening. PDF printable version is available at Widening the Circle of Concern Report.pdf

If you have questions, comments or would like to participate in the Bending the Arc for Racial Justice Task Force, please contact Janet Dunstan (contact information can be found in the member directory).

Join Side With Love, UU the Vote, and the Unitarian Universalist Association for a faith-grounded discussion and call to action for democracy. Engage with theologians, organizers, and activists doing the work of racial and electoral justice.

Today we are witnessing a dangerous swelling in anti-democratic measures across the country. Nearly every state in the nation faces voter suppression bills, states and cities are criminalizing protest, and our immigration and criminal legal systems continue to keep us from the promise of a truly democratic nation. Right now, across the country, the people are rising up to demand democracy, organize their communities and leverage their collective power to move lawmakers and corporations to make change.

Last week, the CEOs of Delta and Coca-Cola listened to the communities calling for them to show up for Black voters in Georgia and condemn the anti-democracy bill, SB 202. We win when we work in solidarity. Now is the time to harness the power of love to build alongside frontline communities and to dismantle all the systems that keep us from fully embodying our inherent worth and dignity. Democracy cannot wait!

Join Democracy Today: A Faith Call for Justice and Democracy on Wednesday, April 14 7-8:30 pm ET / 6-7:30pm CT / 5-6:30pm MT / 4-5:30pm PT

On April 14, engage with theologians, organizers, and activists doing the work of racial and electoral justice. We must grapple with the white supremacist and capitalist agenda that seeks to dominate our society and threaten the lives and dignity of BIPOC, disabled, poor and other marginalized communities. Unitarian Universalism offers us the moral courage and prophetic possibilities for a just, loving and democratic society.

The panel discussion will be followed by a workshop for mass action across our UU community. Learn how you and your congregation can join in the urgent work of building a democractic society.