Dear Beloveds,

Wherever you are and however you are doing today, we send you our love and warmest regards. Thank you for opening this email and being part of the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth.

Last month’s Harvest the Power Justice Convergence & Teach-In was the largest event that UUMFE has ever orchestrated. More than ever, thank you for engaging in this learning community and the many connections that bind us together virtually. As a faith community, we are growing and shifting in powerful ways! Your involvement, feedback, and financial support make it all possible and create momentum for collective strength and transformation.  

The dark of winter invites us now into a period of rest and reflection on what to learn from 2020, and how to best move forward with intention, courage, and impact. Despite these profoundly difficult times and the incessant advance of climate change and environmental devastation, there is hope on the horizon. 

We invite you to go “all in” with UUMFE on your commitment to Create Climate Justice in the communities where you live, work, and worship in the year ahead. 

In the coming months, UUMFE will be convening a diverse and representative cohort of UUs and partners for a series of Create Climate Justice Visioning & Strategy Sessions, and launching programming opportunities and resources on the themes of healing and regeneration for Spring for Change - A Season of Sacred Activism, March 20 through May 23, 2021. 

Please make a donation today to equip the UU Ministry for Earth for this work ahead. All gifts will be matched throughout the month of December, doubling your impact.

A complimentary book will be sent to all donors who give $120 (or $10/mo) or more!

See here for details. 

This is a community and collective ministry. We appreciate all the ways you bring your time, talent, and heart to this Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth. Thank you.

May you and your loved ones be safe and supported. May this winter season be a time of safe harbors and sacred hibernations for all — filled with prophetic dreams of healing and transformation in the days to come. 

In faith and solidarity,

INSPIRATION

Harvest the Power

In ways both subtle and significant, many hearts opened and our UU community and culture shifted at the Harvest the Power Justice Convergence & Teach-In last month. It was truly beautiful and transformative. Please take a look at and pass along the program recordings. If you were moved by the Harvest the Power program, please also share your feedback.

ACTIVATION

A Climate Convergence: Uniting for Victory 2021
December 9 & 10 at 9 am-5 pm PT/12-8 pm ET
Registration and Agenda: HERE 
Questions: climatecrisispolicy@gmail.com; re Faith Panel, Lavona Grow lavona@uusj.org

With a new administration preparing to take climate action in 2021, how can the climate movement win meaningful legislative victories? Connect and strategize with over 25 leaders from Congress, direct action activists, and key environmental and faith organizations (including UUs for Social Justice and UUs for a Just Economic Community) during this free, two-day symposium. Don’t miss the Faith Panel on Thursday, Dec. 10 at 12-2pm PT/3-5pm ET.

Stop Line 3, Keystone XL and Arctic Drilling

It’s a big week for fossil fuel resistance! Yesterday launched 30 days of action to defend the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, in solidarity with Gwich’in and Iñupiaq community members defending the sacred. With the Trump administration rushing to lease this sacred land to oil drilling, take action between now and January 6, 2021. With construction set to begin on the Line 3 pipeline, show up during the Digital Rally to Stop Line 3 on Wednesday, December 9. And then on Friday, December 11, rise up for National Day of Action by pressuring banks to Defund Line 3 and Keystone KXL. Read more about ways to get involved!

EDUCATION

New Children's RE Resource: "Who Loves the Dark?"
Live Reading: Wednesday, December 9 at 4pm PT/7pm ET.

“Who Loves the Dark?” is a new children’s book by Sheri Phillabaum, Director of Religious Education at First Unitarian of San Antonio, TX, about the ecological and spiritual significance of dark skies and the effects of light pollution. Protecting the rhythmic balance of light and dark is important for supporting healthy ecosystems, including human physiology.

While the book will be released December 15, you can catch a special live reading on Zoom on Wednesday, December 9 at 4pm PT/7pm ET. The event features Sheri Phillabaum and illustrator Liz Painter; children and adults welcome! Register here.

CONNECTION

UUs for Social Justice 20th Anniversary Celebration

Saturday, December 12
1-3pm PT / 4-6 ET

Join UUs for Social Justice in celebrating 20 years of advocacy and looking ahead! Panelists from a variety of UU and social justice organizations (including UU Ministry for Earth) will share their perspectives on the way forward, including a charge to make “Good Trouble” by Rev. Ashley Horan, UUA, and keynote address from U.S. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA).

People of the Land: Healing From the White Supremacy & Colonization Pandemic

Webinar Series Session #5 - Protect Garcia Pasture 

Friday, December 18 at 4 pm PT / 5 MT / 6 CT / 7 ET

Join the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe of Texas, in a collaboration with UUMFE, UUA, UU Service Committee (UUSC), and the Texas UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM), for this 90-minute session in the People of the Land Webinar Series. This session will feature conversations about supporting efforts to protect Garcia Pasture, a tribal site currently occupied by oil and gas companies. The next and final session will be January 15 at 7pm ET. Register HERE.

YOUNG ADULTS

Winter Solstice Reflection & Celebration

Tuesday, December 22 at 5pm PT / 6 MT / 7 CT / 8 ET

Open to Youth & Young Adults (ages 14-35). 

Between the New Moon/Total Solar Eclipse on December 14, and the Winter Solstice on December 21, youth and young adults are invited to reconnect with the change in seasons in an intentional way. Afterward, the Network will convene on Zoom to share experiences and learn about changes in ecosystems. Contribute/find ideas for reflections, ritual and activities in this document. Young Adults are also invited to the Winter Solstice Worship from Young Adult Revival Network on Sunday, December 20 at 5pm/8pm ET -- Register here.

Volunteer with UUMFE’s Board!

Open Seats at the Table for a Treasurer and Members at Large.

Do you have talents and robust skills to commit to advancing climate justice and growing our collective UU organizing capacity?

UUMFE urgently seeks a new treasurer and always welcomes additional members-at-large for the Board. We are geographically dispersed, Zoom-friendly, and committed to using forward-looking, dynamic governance practices. Help us become a stronger dynamic, multicultural, multigenerational counter-oppressive Board!  We welcome interest from lay volunteers, religious professionals in congregational and community settings, curriculum writers/reviewers, marketing/advertising specialists, strategic thinkers, non-profit and management experts, community organizers, denominational geeks, policy wonks, green team leaders, grant writers and fundraisers, the technologically savvy, and even newbies to Unitarian Universalism and UUMFE. 

Reach out to Board Chair, Rev. Cindy Davidson at cindy.davidson@uumfe.org, for an exploratory conversation. Learn more online at the UUMFE Treasurer position description and UUMFE Board position description.

Bonus Recipe

Beet Wellington

Gorgeous to look at, perfect for sharing and delicious too!

Visit UU Ministry for Earth online at uuministryforearth.org.
Please support our work.