Church guide

CW: Mentions of suicide . . . . . . In this article, organizers from Ohio talk about the impact social justice work has on mental health. We're sharing this because there are organizers in our congregations, who work at the UUA, and who we are in partnership with. Check on your people. Share and give resources to organizers that allow them to invest in their care.

"With their presence as well as their prayers, 10 diverse faith leaders proclaimed what too few people have heard: Religious people can be pro-choice, not in spite of their faith but because of it."

This post is for the folx caring for (or who have cared for) children. Share you biggest challenge in the comments in three words. Then check out what other folx had to say in this piece from Motherwell Magazine. https://bit.ly/2JLgY2f

"As the abortion bans continue to gain traction in the United States, feminists must learn from their prior mistakes. We cannot get free until all of us are free." https://bit.ly/2S72b5x

Are you ready to get involved more directly with social justice? Are you already involved and in need of spiritual sustenance? Check out this piece to guide you through questions about how you can show up in an accountable way and get spiritually grounded for social justice. And remember, risk is different for different people. Your identity and your privilege inform how you understand and experience risk. And those with more privilege need to ask what new risks they can take in this crucial moment. https://bit.ly/2LLFHFX

This. This is why you should follow us on Twitter. Have a great Sunday and enjoy this especially corny joke. ________________________________ Image description: A screenshot of a tweet. The tweet is from the Unitarian Universalist Association's account on July 6 and says: Q: How did the chalice compliment the minister's sermon. A: It's lit!" ‏ The text of tweet is followed by many emojis that are laughing so hard, they are crying.

"While much of the narrative surrounding the Trump administration’s immigration policy has focused on immigrants from Central America at the U.S.-Mexico border, immigrants fleeing violence or poverty in countries throughout Africa are increasingly among those seeking asylum, the Los Angeles Times reports."

All Souls Unitarian Church was featured in the documentary film, "American Heretics: The Politics of Gospel." The film focuses on progressive faith in Oklahoma. Check out the review from the New York Times here: https://nyti.ms/2YOz61r --------------------------------------------------- Image Description: A picture of Rev. Bishop Carlton Pearson smiling. There is text on the image that says, "I never thought anybody would ever attribute the word 'heresy,' [or] 'heretic to me. It just wasn't in my mind at all. It just means choice or opinion, or to choose differently from others, 'hareisis' in Hebrew/Greek. So the whole idea of getting out the trade-itions of the traded down ideologies and ideas, and developing an independent way of thinking, is dangerous. The image also features a movie hashtag, #AmericanHeretics, and the film's website, https://nyti.ms/2YOz61r with the logo of Butler Films.

On Friday, July 12, Lights for Liberty: A Vigil to End Human Concentration Camps, will bring thousands of people to locations worldwide as well as to concentration camps across country, into the streets and into their own front yards, to protest the inhumane conditions faced by migrants. How are you speaking out and showing up to demand justice for migrant people?

“[Anxiety is] a gremlin who undermines you and sits there talking crap constantly." Although most people experience nervousness, everyone doesn't experience anxiety. Curious about the difference? Here are 36 ways people described their anxiety.

A pastor has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that U.S. officials violated her religious freedom when she was put on a watchlist because of her ministry to migrants at the border. We are in solidarity with all people of faith and conscience who demand justice and dignity for migrant people.

"When the Storybook Pride Prom for LGBT teens in Jacksonville, Fla., was canceled after online conservative backlash, a local church made sure the story had a happy ending." Thank you to Buckman Bridge Unitarian Universalist Church in Jacksonville for living out our values in the world! https://wapo.st/2LNdcYN

"A vacation a decade ago with five other women -- where the conversation kept coming back to sex -- prompted Sekyiamah to set up Adventures, as she refers to the blog. Its goal is clear, to provide 'a safe space where African women can openly discuss a variety of sex and sexuality issues.'" A Ghanaian writer created an online space that removes shame and stigma from talking about sex. Ten years later, it's still going strong. We celebrate sex positivity, body positivity, and safe spaces where people can talk about sex.

Today, think about how you're being called to let go. What you're being called to let go. We are not all called to sacrifice the same things, and we have different privileges that inform what risks we take when we let go. But no matter who we are, regular practices of letting go and letting in are places of spiritual transformation. Image description: Graphic says, "So much of what is possible to carve out in this world requires some giving up, some letting go, some sacrifice."

.@SideWithLove has resources to help us all answer the urgent questions of this moment: "Are you willing to make the moves that are needed to fight back and center human dignity?” “Are you ready to embody your values, ethics and morals?" https://bit.ly/2XnpVZ2

A new report highlights the importance of congregations supporting caregivers. As the Religion News Service article says, there are about 41 million caregivers to the elderly who work for free, which will increase as baby boomers age. What are some ways you'd like to see UU congregations support caregivers?

What can you do to support today's actions calling on the government to close migrant detention camps? ✔️Text CAMPS to 668366. ✔️Tell your Congressional representatives you demand their support in closing the camps. ✔️Sign the petition calling for the closing of the camps. ✔️Donate to migrant justice groups.

Children denied soap and toothbrushes, crowded into unsafe conditions. Separated from their families, subject to cruel treatment that leads to lasting traumas. And some dying in custody—or dying with parents as they cross the Rio Grande. We've seen the images and heard the stories coming out of child detention centers. Will you join a local Close the Camps protest near you this Tuesday, July 2? Find an event and bring everyone you know!

We love this line from Braver/Wiser writer, Yuri Yamamoto: "I knew that the sun would rise again, and there would be a new day, a new life, and a new joy to come." We hope if you're having a day that doesn't feel like your brightest, the sun shines for you again.

"In this moment, when the state weaponizes trauma against our migrant communities, our tactic becomes building resilience." https://bit.ly/2xcR7Kx

Demand Smart Justice in Spokane, WA - Jobs NOT Jails! - GA Public Witness 2019

What does it mean to "side with love?" Side With Love Campaign Manager, Everette Thompson, sheds some light on how this campaign affirms human dignity in a larger movement for liberation.

As the House of Representatives votes on the Equality Act today, people of faith are gathering at the Capitol to urge their representatives to vote faithfully and protect the LGBTQ community from discrimination.

Monday is Earth Day! Thank you Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray for this message about climate justice. #EarthDay2019

The UUA is thrilled to announce our 2019 Ware Lecturer - Richard Blanco! Richard Blanco was selected by President Barack Obama to serve as the fifth presidential inaugural poet. He wrote and performed his poem, “Boston Strong,” at Fenway Park in the aftermath of the marathon bombings. He has crafted and performed poems for the 10th anniversary of marriage equality in Massachusetts, the re-opening of the US embassy in Cuba, and many, many more. In his upcoming Beacon Press book, How to Love a Country, he speaks powerfully to the necessity of interdependence and connection amidst the repeated heartache and tragedies we face. His reflections on these spiritual and theological themes will be insightful as we explore this General Assembly’s theme, The Power of We.

In her holiday message, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray says, “Joy is not always easy to find, especially amid the daily onslaught of injustice and loss, so thank you, Unitarian Universalist congregations and communities, for fighting back against despair with hope, courage and joyful, loving, resilient community.” **Canon and Variation by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Artist: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

Find more information and get involved here: https://bit.ly/2pVwGhq Florida's Amendment 4 Voting Rights Restoration for Felons Initiative could restore voting rights to formerly incarcerated people who have completed all the requirements of their sentences. Defending the right to vote has been central to the work of the UUA and at the core of Unitarian Universalism for decades—from expanding enfranchisement for women and Black people to advocating for a path to citizenship for immigrants; from our history of civil rights engagement to taking on the New Jim Crow and white supremacy today. As a faith community UUs are vocal and active about voting rights and have contributed to change throughout history. In the past few years, UUs have been part of a groundswell of voting rights, electoral work, and democracy movements that have emerged and gained even more momentum since the 2016 US elections.

The Supreme Court's travel ban decision continues the U.S. government’s criminalization of identity under the guise of making the country safer. Read our full statement about the travel ban decision here: https://bit.ly/2tMPqkW

We’re live now at the #UUAGA Ware Lecture! We’re honored to have Brittany Packnett - an unapologetic educator, organizer, writer, and speaker at the intersection of culture and justice - give this year’s lecture.