We want to be sure you have heard about the UU Climate Justice Revival taking place on September 28-29 with the theme of “Reimagine Together: From an Extractive Age to a New Era.” Following is a description of this program. The work will be done within your congregation/fellowship to prepare for and carry out the events of the revival. You may also join with others to share the work of planning and facilitating.
You can do this at a different timeif there’s a better time for you than September 28-29. On September 28-29, congregations will host UU Climate Justice Revivals to collectively reimagine a spirit-filled and liberatory future. Through conversations, worship, and advocacy, congregations will work together to realize climate justice and collective liberation in our communities. Congregations will receive everything they need to host a revival in their communities, including discussion guides and materials for all ages, training, worship resources, and advocacy actions designed to transform our communities through climate justice.
Visit uuclimatejustice.org to access recorded information sessions and registration information. After registering, you will get access to a host of materials available for your group to use.
You may choose to reach out to another congregation/fellowship to explore possibilities for sharing the work of planning and facilitating.
If you need help getting connected with others, contact Mary Jo Ebert at maryjoebert@gmail.com or 248-224-0223 and we’ll help with that.
Seven Michigan UU congregations/fellowships are registered as of today. Click here to access a map showing all who are registered.
UU Ann Arbor (sponsor)
Community UUs of Brighton
All Souls Community Church of SW Michigan (Grand Rapids)
UUs are known to be justice-seeking people. It takes many of us working together to achieve the goal of freedom and equity for all. The Michigan UU Social Justice Network (MUUSJN) leverages expertise and resources to support this work for member congregations and fellowships across our state and gives UUs a larger voice among partners, allies, and justice-makers. Become a supporting member today and help foster this collaboration. We need 50 of you (or more!) to reach our new member goal. Go to uujustice.org; click “Become a Member” and make a donation today.
Some of MUUSJN’s most recent accomplishments:
Organizing poll watchers, phone bankers, and postcard writers for the 2024 elections to support all eligible voters’ ability to vote without hindrance
Signed on to a statement opposing the re-opening of a nuclear reactor site near Benton Harbor due to environmental, economic, and health risks
Offered webinars about the particular conditions and injustices experienced by Native/Indigenous people in Michigan
Published action alerts about legislative action on justice issues of interest to UUs
Signed on to a statement opposing a Catholic group’s lawsuit seeking to overturn Michigan’s conversion therapy ban for minors that was signed into law in 2023
I’ve decided a newsletter is the best way to keep UUs and friends up to date on the things I am working on as a MUUSJN consultant. I hope to compile a list of interested folks, so if you’d like to be added to the list for future newsletters focused around Environmental and Racial Justice, send me an email! I hope that if you’re reading this you’ll share it with others, so they have the opportunity to read too! I hope to send a newsletter every 2-3 months, depending on how much I have to share. The stories will be very short updates, sometimes with a link for more info. Please always reach out with questions, or if you have resources to share. If you or your church are working on any of these issues or want to get involved- please get in touch with me, so we can build together, a wider, stronger network! It was a pleasure to host an event with Dr. Rob Spirko from the Article II Study Commission a few months ago. We had good attendance as he shared more info, and answered many questions. I’m looking forward to GA to see how the vote turns out. This is an interesting time in our world, country and denomination.
You can view the video here: bit.ly/Art2Spirko Article II resources from the UUA: https://www.uua.org/re/article2
From Linda Cypret-Kilbourne, co-founder of Michigan Coalition Against Racism in Sports and Media (MCARSM):
The following are the schools we look to change. (2/1/2024)
Wayne County
Ecorse High School – Their logo is a red spear and feather, they call themselves the “Red Raiders”.
New Boston High School – Their logo is a Native American Headdress with feathers, they call themselves “The Chiefs”.
Woodhaven High School – their logo is a spear with feathers, they call themselves “The Warriors”.
Wyandotte Roosevelt Marching Band – Their logo is a Native American Headdress and picture of a Warrior, they call themselves “The Chiefs”.
Walled Lake Western High School – Their logo is arrows and feathers, they call themselves “The Warriors”.
Ferndale Webb Junior High – They call themselves “The Warriors”.
Macomb County
Utica Schools – Their logo is a Native American headdress, they call themselves “The Chieftains”.
St.Clair County
Capac Schools – Their logo is a Native American with headdress, they call themselves “The Chiefs”.
Holland-Woods Middle School (Port Huron district) – Their logo is a green arrow, they call themselves “The Warriors”.
If your city’s school does not have a racist mascot, but plays another school who has a Native American nickname: go to the school board and ask them to only announce the opponent as the school name and not the Native American nickname. For example, instead of“Here comes the Indians” suggest saying “Here comes Athens”.
Bi-partisan Community Solar legislation is currently in the Michigan State Senate and the House, but needs some help from Michigan citizens to be passed. You can help it pass.
What is a Community Solar project?
5 megawatts or less
Allows anyone with space – e.g., homeowners, small businesses, schools and churches – to install and share a solar facility with their members or neighbors
Can be rapidly rolled out (2 years or less)
Currently exists in 22 states
Why is Community Solar important?
Community Solar provides:
Those who rent, those whose homes are not suitable for a solar installation and those who cannot afford the upfront investment, a chance to access clean energy;
The opportunity for a realistic and affordable transition to clean energy in communities all over Michigan;
Benefits to the grid (e.g., increases grid resiliency vis-à-vis large scale disruptions;
Land and environmental benefits (e,g, preserves land for future uses as it is not a permanent installation); and
Economic benefits (e.g., would create a $1.47 billion economic impact and generate hundreds of jobs (Michigan Community Solar: An Economic Assessment by SR Miller and W Knudsen, October 2021).
For more information and specific suggestions of what YOU – and your friends, family and neighbors – can do :
At MUUSJN, we are committed to bringing about meaningful change in our society
Join us for these two events that will challenge your perspective and empower you to be a force for change.
End Cash Bail, taking place this Monday, January 8 from 7-8:30 PM, will explore the impact of cash bail and the unjust criminal justice system that disproportionately punishes low-income communities and communities of color. Rubina Mustafa, Senior Staff Attorney with the Detroit Justice Center will also discuss strategies for ending this system.
Decolonize Your Mind, taking place on January 30 from 7-8:30 PM, will examine the harmful effects of white settler colonialism on Native Americans. Jaike Spotted Wolf and Bronson Herman will share personal and historical stories and offer ways to decolonize our thinking and become a source of reconciliation.
Don’t miss out on these incredible opportunities to learn, grow, and take action.
Overturn 1931 abortion criminalization law – Done!
Pass Reproductive Health Act – 9 bills signed into law
RACIAL JUSTICE
Initiated “Partnering for Native Justice” project
Supported congregations’ anti-racism, anti-oppression work
Explored anti-racism/anti-oppression practices for MUUSJN governance
LGBTQ+ JUSTICE
After years of advocating for the expansion of the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act to include LGBTQ+ rights …. Done!
Teamed with Inclusive Justice organization to
Hosted a “Pursuing Inclusive Justice” Conference
Conducted a webinar series exploring LGBTQ+ spirituality & justice advocacy, genders of God, punk theology, and disability justice
Published a “Welcome In!” monthly newsletter
WATER/ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Served on a water legislation committee supporting recently-introduced water affordability bills for Michigan
Partnered with Michigan Alliance for Justice in Climate (MAJIC) to monitor and take positions on environmental justice issues
Supported congregations’ Green Sanctuary efforts
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Advocated for expansion of Earned Income Tax Credit – Done!
Supported a coalition lawsuit demanding that the legislature could not legally undermine a peoples’ ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage in 2018. A court win would increase Michigan’s minimum wage
In coalition with Michigan Liberation, advocated for reforming the cash bail system & supporting the Black Mamas Bailout program
Opposed a federal budget proposal that would slash Social Security, Medicare and other safety net services.
In 2023, MUUSJN worked with its Interfaith Reproductive Justice Coalition to advocate for passage of the Michigan Reproductive Health Act. Nine of the 11 bills were adopted by the Michigan legislature and was signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in November 2023.
RACIAL JUSTICE
Challenging racism through education, action alerts, and legislative advocacy
Launching “Partnering with Native Justice” project
Supporting congregations’ 8th Principle / anti-racism, anti-oppression work
Exploring anti-racism/anti-oppression practices for MUUSJN governance
LGBTQ+ JUSTICE
Organized a statewide conference to promote Inclusive Justice for LGBTQ+ people in faith communities.
After years of advocating for amendment of the Elliot Larsen Civil Rights Act …. Done!
With Inclusive Justice, conducted webinar series exploring LGBTQ+ spirituality & justice advocacy, genders of God, punk theology, and disability justice
Supporting Welcoming Congregation renewal efforts
Publishing “Welcome In!” monthly newsletter
WATER & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Serving on a water legislation committee supporting recently-introduced water affordability bills for Michigan
Partnering with Michigan Alliance forJustice in Climate (MAJIC) to monitor and take positions on environmental justice issues.
Supporting congregations’ Green Sanctuary efforts
ECONOMIC JUSTICE
Advocated for expansion of Earned Income Tax Credit – Done!
Supported lawsuit against State of Michigan demanding that the law requiring paid leave be put into effect
In coalition with Michigan Liberation, working to reform the cash bail system & support Black Mamas Bailout program
VOTER ENGAGEMENT
Advocating for policies and legislation to protect voting rights
ENDING GUN VIOLENCE
Advocated for universal background checks, safe storage laws, red flag laws in Michigan – Done!
Make Sure Your Voice Is HeardIn the 2023 Election!
Here are some tips for making sure your vote is counted:
CONFIRM THAT YOU’RE REGISTERED TO VOTE AND YOUR POLLING PLACE:
Go to: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/IndexAfter you “search for your voter information”, you will be able to confirm your voter registration status and your polling place and hours on this web page.
If you are not registered to vote, it’s now too late to register on-line or by mail. HOWEVER, you can get registered at your local clerk’s office (see above website) up to 8 p.m. on election day.
NON-PARTISAN VOTING HOTLINE: For more information about voting in your community call the non-partisan voting hotline: (866) OUR VOTE or (866) 687-8683
Urge Senators to Support the MI Voting Rights Act (MVRA) That Expands Our Voting Rights & Protects Democracy
Let’s Make Our Voting Rights Stronger! Expand Voting Access for Older & Disabled Persons, Challenge Those Who Try to Suppress the Vote
When the MVRA (SB 401- 404) was introduced on June 22nd, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson offered high praise for this legislation. Benson said “we are in a multi-year, multi-faceted battle for the future of our democracy”. The Michigan Voting Rights Act builds on the 1965 federal Voting Rights Act that outlawed discrimination in voting practices. These bills strengthen and expand access to voting rights overwhelmingly adopted as Proposal 2 in November 2022.
Here are key provisions of the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA):
Prohibits voter denial and voter suppression;
Provides legal recourse for protected classes of Americans from practices that make it difficult for them to vote;
Expands access to the polls for older persons and persons with disabilities;
Ends a ban on paying drivers to provide transportation to the polls; and
Requires translation of voting related information for persons with limited English proficiency.
This legislation has been referred to the Senate Elections and Ethics Committee chaired by Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield). These bills need our support.
Call Senator Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) 517-373-7888
Urge Him to Hold a Hearing on and Adopt the MVRA for the reasons listed above
Call Sen. Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) 517-373-1801
