Fwd: March eNews: Launching the BIPOC Climate Justice Caucus
From: UU Ministry for Earth <office@uumfe.org>
Date: Tue, Mar 9, 2021 at 1:05 PM
Subject: March eNews: Launching the BIPOC Climate Justice Caucus
To: Kiera Frey <kierafrey@gmail.com>
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Dear beloveds, Have you ever wondered, Why were the minority neighborhoods in Texas the first to lose power during the recent power blackouts? Why are polluting industries and waste dumps always sited where Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) folks live? Why has the Covid pandemic been particularly devastating for the poor, marginalized BIPOC communities? And, yet, why have they been deprived of early vaccination? The list of injustices is never ending! So, why do climate justice work in a UU church? Our faith calls us to build the Beloved Community that Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King dreamed of. We cannot build a Beloved Community when racism, oppression and discrimination is the custom of the land. Our principles call on us to uphold the inherent worth and dignity of all and to respect the interdependent web of all existence. And the proposed Eighth Principle calls us to accountably dismantle racism and other oppressions. Then, how can we not, as UUs, dedicate ourselves to finding justice for the most vulnerable who are least responsible for the continued destruction of our environment but are ignored time and time again. Indeed, the BIPOC are hardly ever at the table to represent their own interests! In collaboration with the UU Ministry for Earth, we are privileged to the recent launch of a caucus for BIPOC UUs who are passionate about the intersections of racial, environmental and climate injustices. Why a separate caucus for BIPOC? As we said above, we have long witnessed the disproportionate and disastrous impacts of climate change on communities of color. The BIPOC caucus will create a space for us to meet with others devoted to environmental and climate justice work, and also be a voice for us in the broader environmental and climate justice movement. It will allow us to form bonds with other BIPOC who fight not only racial and environmental injustices but are also the embodiment of living through a long history of injustice and cruelty. Meetings of the group are open to everyone right now, irrespective of their racial identity, with time set aside for BIPOC and White caucusing. Starting this summer, the mutliracial group will meet approximately once a quarter, and the BIPOC caucus will meet roughly monthly.
Paula Cole Jones
Can you believe the Spring Equinox is less than two weeks away? As the ground begins to thaw, UU Ministry for Earth hopes you can join Spring for Change – A Season of Sacred Activism and explore Pathways to Healing & Regeneration. Individuals, families, and entire faith communities are invited to journey together through learning, reflection, practice, & action.
Spring Equinox & Spring for Change Opening Celebration Saturday, March 20 - 9am PT / 12pm ET This program will include singing, spiritual practices, a keynote speech, and setting intentions for a beautiful Spring for Change – Season of Sacred Activism. Stay tuned for more details!
Whole Earth, Whole Church Congregational Climate Convergence Saturday, March 20 - 11am-2pm PT / 2-5 ET
Sign Up for Virtual Earth Sunday Resources UU Ministry for Earth is producing a robust and beautiful virtual worship service for use in full or in part by participating congregations this Spring. The featured sermon will be delivered by The Rev. Yadennee Hailu!
Join the Biodiversity Sunday & Endangered Art Species Project UU Ministry for Earth will support a cohort of families and congregations who want to participate in the 2021 Biodiversity Sunday and Endangered Species Art Project. Together, UUs will honor, celebrate and commit to restore and protect the Web of Life. This program is ideal for families and/or congregations who are seeking new Religious Education content for May-June 2021, and are interested in building multi-generational connections and spiritually nourishing experiences with their families, youth groups, climate/environmental teams, and worship teams. APPLY BY MARCH 12! Liberation on the Land Discussion Series March 25, April 8 & 22, May 6 & 20 at 3-5pm PT / 6-8 ET *Participation is limited to 8 individuals who commit to all sessions.* How do humans relate to the land and how does that reflect our understandings of the sacred? Root more deeply in foodsheds and watersheds in this new course taught by UU minister and UUMFE board member Ariel Aaronson-Eves! Participants will meet biweekly on Zoom, share thoughts and resources together on CreateClimateJustice.net, and be involved in growing food in some way. Although no one will be turned away for lack of funds, confirmed participants are invited to donate to UUMFE.
REGISTER BY MARCH 18! Intergenerational Spring Seminar – All In for Climate Justice: Food Equity and Sustainability
ACTIVATION
Sacred People Sacred Earth Day of Action Thursday, March 11 at 8am PT/ 9 MT/ 10 CT/ 11 ET
Write Letters to Steve Martinez and All NoDAPL Political Prisoners Join the Unitarian Universalist Association, UU Ministry For Earth, UU Service Committee and Love Resists for a letter writing campaign to show solidarity with Steve Martinez, a NoDAPL political prisoner who has been recently incarcerated after refusing to face a grand jury for a second time. Steve, an Indigenous water protector, was first subpoenaed to a federal grand jury in 2017 for his participation in the NoDAPL resistance movement and refused to comply then as now. This recent targeting came as a disconcerting surprise to many who have been supporting water protector political prisoners for the past four years. On the call, hear from UU organizers about Steve's current legal situation, and write your own letter to Steve and other NoDAPL political prisoners. Another way to support is to donate to Steve's GoFundMe. CONNECTIONBIPOC Caucus on Climate Justice Session #2: Lessons from Justice on Earth Wednesday, March 18 at 5pm PT / 6 MT / 7 CT / 8 ET All are welcome to join the second session of the Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Caucus on Climate Justice. This caucus is held monthly and the first 5 sessions are open to all and will include both a BIPOC and a White caucus space. This second session will explore lessons from the book Justice on Earth: People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment edited by Manish Mishra-Marzetti and Jennifer Nordstrom, which was the 2018-19 UUA Common Read.
Young Adult-led World Water Day Worship Sunday, March 21 at 5pm PT / 6 MT / 7 CT / 8 ET All are invited to join this World Water Day Worship, co-hosted by the UU Young Adults for Climate Justice Network and the Young Adult Revival Network worship team. This worship will center youth and young adult perspectives on water justice and explore spiritual connections between water and climate justice.
INSPIRATIONMeet Stacy Craig, Climate Change Chaplain
Intergenerational Climate Dialogue - Session #3 - March 24 at 5pm PT / 8 ET - SIGN UP PowerShift Youth Climate Convergence - April 16-25 (Priority registration closes March 26, remains open until Convergence) - REGISTER
SIGN UP to join the UUYACJ Cohort!
BONUS RECIPE: Vegan Irish Soda Bread
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