Greetings!
UUMFE has successfully concluded its search for a new Treasurer. Please join us in welcoming Betsy Tomic, of the UU Congregation of the Hudson Valley, to the position! The UUMFE Board and staff send our deepest appreciation to our newly retired treasurer, Ellen McClaran, of First Unitarian in Portland, OR, for her many years of faithful service and a job well done through a time of increasing programming and outreach.
Many strands of work go into creating environmental and climate justice, such as attending to equity and broad representation at the tables of justice-making, considering endless mitigation and adaptation strategies, and dealing with the heartfelt grief that comes with environmental devastations and climate change. With so many choices for engagement on ecological, environmental and climate justice issues out there, thank you for choosing to be part of the UU Ministry for Earth. I hope UUMFE’s robust programming provides direction and vetted options and partners for your local, regional and national climate activism.
UUMFE recently affirmed formal partnerships with Stop the Money Pipeline, a campaign targeting the financial sector’s support of the climate crisis, and Elders Climate Action, mobilizing elders throughout the United States. Both are groups with whom UUMFE and the UU Young Adults for Climate Justice have already been working collaboratively.
This year’s Spring for Change: a Season of Sacred Activism program focuses on Pathways to Healing and Regeneration. The seasonal framing has grown out of UUMFE’s longstanding tradition of being a wellspring of resources to congregations for Earth Day (April 22) programming, and then expanding the focus to include World Water Day (March 22) and World Biodiversity Day (May 22). Read more about the campaign’s highlights below and stay tuned as complete details are released for programs and projects!
As always, we appreciate your commitment to UUMFE and the work we do together. Give to UUMFE at any time throughout the year to help sustain our ministry!
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In faith and solidarity,
Rev. Cindy Davidson
Board Chair
When you imagine pathways to personal, social and ecological healing and regeneration, what do you see? Who is with you on your journey? What transforms and gives way to new beginnings? Who and/or what are you accountable to along the way?
UU Ministry for Earth & many partners invite you to participate in Spring for Change: A Season of Sacred Activism, to explore these pressing questions on a faith journey and sacred practice of learning, reflection, practice and action. Spring for Change: a Season of Sacred Activism is UUMFE's signature programmatic and partnership lineup spanning World Water Day, Earth Day and World Biodiversity Day.
The Spring for Change program is designed for individuals, families, and entire faith communities to engage in together.
Spring for Change Program Highlights
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Spring Equinox & Spring for Change Opening Celebration
Saturday, March 20 at 9am PT / 10 MT / 11 CT / 12 ET
This program will offer song, spiritual practices, and the setting of intentions for a beautiful Spring Season of Sacred Activism.
Whole Earth, Whole Church Congregational Climate Convergence
Saturday, March 20
11am-2pm PT / 12-3 MT / 1-4 CT / 2-5 ET
Calling all congregations committed to climate justice! This program, offered by the UUA Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice program & partners, is designed for congregational leaders to attend together to inspire and support congregational climate action. Ministers, religious educators, and lay leaders are encouraged to attend in teams of two to five people. There will be role-based breakout sessions in the afternoon.
Write Here! Write Now! - April Letter Writing
US Congressional Advocacy Campaign
March 20-May 7
UUMFE is partnering with the Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice (UUSJ) and UUs for Just Economic Community (UUJEC) for a letter writing advocacy campaign that will culminate in virtual meetings with Capitol Hill staffers over the weeks of April 26-May 7. The general focus will be climate and food justice, and the campaign resources will go live on March 20. Issue briefings will be held in early April, and participants are encouraged to schedule one or more letter writing sessions on Sundays throughout April. If you are interested in engaging with this advocacy campaign, sign up below. Otherwise, stay tuned for the campaign launch on March 20!
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Apply Today for the 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. Apply by March 12!
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-Eaves! Participants will meet biweekly on Zoom, have additional activities on CreateClimateJustice.Net, and be expected to 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.
It's Game On for the UU Project Drawdown Initiative!
UUs are organizing nationwide to further the Climate Solutions of Project Drawdown, including preparing a challenge for congregations in the month of April. UUs and friends can participate as individuals or as part of congregations or communities. Participants can take on a variety of challenges, nurturing stronger relationships and the UU climate justice movement at large. Sign up to stay informed as Game On! is activated in the next few weeks.
Intergenerational Climate Circle - Spring Session
Thursday, March 25 at 5pm PT / 6 MT / 7 CT / 8 ET - REGISTER
Unitarian Universalist lay and professional leaders and social/eco justice activists are invited to participate in intergenerational dialogue to share stories, memories and lessons of social movements past and present. Co-hosted by UU Ministry for Earth, UU Young Adults for Climate Justice and Elders Climate Action.
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Volunteer with UUMFE: Seeking Passionate Worship Weavers
Are you inspired to offer an Earth Justice worship service at your congregation during Spring for Change, or to support the UU Ministry for Earth’s worship resource curation and creation this Spring (or long term)? If so, please sign up at the link below!
For World Water Day (Sunday, 3/21) – UUMFE is curating resources for congregations to use independently
For Earth Day (Sunday, 4/18 or 25) UUMFE is creating a full, pre-recorded Earth Sunday worship service that will be available for use in-whole or in-part by congregations.
For Biodiversity Day (Sunday, 5/23) UUMFE is curating resources, and seeking congregations to collaborate with directly for religious education projects and multi-generational worship creation and curation.
DON'T FORGET TO REGISTER!
 Graphic courtesy UU Office at the UN |
Intergenerational Spring Seminar:
All In for Climate Justice: Food Equity and Sustainability
Friday, April 9 - Sunday, April 11
REGISTER by March 18; Sliding scale cost
This dynamic event will ground, connect, and equip participants to take action toward achieving climate justice through more equitable and sustainable food systems. Co-hosted by the UUA Office at the United Nations in partnership with UU Ministry for Earth.
LEARN MORE.
PowerShift Network Youth Climate Convergence
April 16-25 - REGISTER - Sliding scale cost
SIGN UP HERE to join the UUYACJ cohort at the convergence!
This virtual convergence will bring together youth-led climate, environmental and social justice communities for trainings, strategizing, panel discussions and more.
CONNECTION
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Join the First BIPOC Climate Justice Caucus Meeting
Thursday, February 18 at 5pm PT / 6 MT / 7 CT / 8 ET
A small group of UUs, working collaboratively with the UU Ministry for Earth, are moved to form a new community: a caucus for Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) focused on the intersections of racial, environmental and climate injustices. This first session will explore connections between the 7th Principle (respect for the interdependent web of all existence) and the 8th Principle (accountably dismantle racism and all other oppressions). This caucus is being convened by Paula Cole Jones (All Souls Church, D.C.) and Rashid Shaikh (First Parish, Cambridge).
**Please note this meeting is only open to those who identify as Black, Indigenous or People of Color (BIPOC). If this does not include you, please feel free to forward this information to BIPOC members of your community and to join any number of the other upcoming events that are open to everyone.**
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UUs Lead in Citizens’ Climate Lobby
Did you know that Unitarian Universalists are some of the most active people in Citizens' Climate Lobby (CCL)? UUs make up the largest faith-based action team within CCL, which rallies for federal legislation that would put a fee on carbon emissions and redistribute the funds. UUs see direct parallels between CCL’s values and UU principles: CCL’s bipartisanship nourishes democracy, and CCL groups see that by charging fossil fuel polluters, the economy will shift in favor of renewable energy sources, creating jobs and equity along the way. Learn more about this movement, which has been endorsed by the UUA, and find ways to get involved!
BONUS RECIPE:
This easy vegan banana oatmeal will warm you up in the morning and get you ready for the day.
Visit UU Ministry for Earth online at uuministryforearth.org.
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