A resolution was passed by the 2015 General Assembly supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. You may have heard by now, or perhaps you were there. We want to help engage your congregation in this movement by offering several events this summer through the Joseph Priestley District and CERG.
August 21st – 23rd – A Jubilee Workshop will be held at Cedar Lane. The workshop begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and ends Sunday at 5 p.m. or sooner.
Registration fee: $150 includes meals.
Register online at http://lb.cm/CedarLaneJubilee
August 29th – A Unitarian Universalist Racial & Social Justice Summit:
The Journey Toward Wholeness Continues—The Black Lives Matter Movement
This event will be held at the UU Church of Arlington, VA from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
In addition, save the date for the annual racial justice conference that will be held October 24, 2015, at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill, NJ. This year we will focus on the synergy that is possible when we bring the Legislative Ministries and the Journey Toward Wholeness Communities together. We are also exploring a special session on Friday, October 23rd on “Rethinking White Privilege.” So, hold the date and we will send more information later this summer.
Support the Black Lives Matter Movement – Action of Immediate Witness
“We must continue to support the Black Lives Matter movement and Black-led racial justice organizations,” the adopted resolution says. “The 2015 General Assembly calls member congregations to action, in order to become closer to a just world community . . .; urges member congregations to engage in intentional learning spaces to organize for racial justice with recognition of the interconnected nature of racism coupled with systems of oppression that impact people based on class, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability, and language . . .; encourages member congregations and all Unitarian Universalists to work towards police reform and prison abolition, which seeks to replace the current prison system with a system that is more just and equitable; and . . . recognizes that the fight for civil rights and equality is as real today as it was decades ago, and urges member congregations to take initiative in collaboration with local and national organizations fighting for racial justice against the harsh racist practices many black people are exposed to.” (This statement is an excerpt from a UU World article by Kenny Wiley, written 6/29/15. http://www.uuworld.org/articles/blm-rally-general-assembly )