Dear friend,

As I write from my new home in Florida, wildfires in parts of the western US are blazing, and fire, heat, and smoke are destroying or threatening habitats, homes, and life. Family, friends, and colleagues are sharing vivid photographs. My response is to pray for the safety and well-being of all who are in harm’s way.

It wasn’t that long ago that the same was happening for me as Hurricane Laura made landfall in Louisiana and laid a similar pathway of threats and destruction. More photographs, more news stories, more prayers. Another appeal received for the disaster relief fund.

It will take more than my prayers - and yours - to be faithful ministers of and for Earth. It will take more than well-intentioned thoughts and generosity to create climate justice in and beyond the communities where we live, work, and worship. It will take sustained action.

Our UUA Green Sanctuary Program has launched its new 2020 Edition: A Faithful Response to Climate Urgency as one way of engaging UU congregations in the process of moving from prayers, thoughts, and generosity to concrete, meaningful action. I encourage you to read more below and get involved! 

UUMFE will continue bringing you additional opportunities and resources in this new program year, keeping with our mission of being a wellspring of spiritual and educational grounding and practical support for bold, accountable action for environmental justice, climate justice, and the flourishing of all life. Plans are underway to develop stronger connections with environmental and climate justice organizers who are youth, young adults, and People of Color of all ages and be guided by their learnings. Stay tuned! 

Meanwhile, UUMFE’s Board is heeding the recommendations of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change in Widening the Circle of Concern. We are examining our commitment to equity, inclusion, and diversity work and how that shows up in our bylaws and our hiring and volunteer recruitment practices. Ensuring UUMFE’s financial sustainability continues to be a priority and we are committed to growing our base of sustaining donors, not an easy feat given today’s economic uncertainties. As always, we appreciate your ongoing support.  

With gratitude,

Rev. Cindy Davidson
Board Chair, UU Ministry for Earth

PS: Can you help us grow our reach? We would love it if you would share this eNews with others in your congregation or circles who are ready to engage for climate justice!

INSPIRATION

TONIGHT - Announcing the Green Sanctuary Program 2020 Edition: A Faithful Response to Climate Urgency
Tuesday, September 15th at 4pm PT / 5 MT / 6 CT / 7 ET

The UUA Green Sanctuary Program has some big news! Tonight’s webinar with Rev. Karen Brammer (Green Sanctuary Program Manager) will help get your congregation on-boarded for the program’s new directions. After the presentation, stick around for ample time for Q&A and networking. REGISTER HERE.

Spring for Change - A Season of Sacred Activism
March 20 - May 23, 2021

Next Spring, UU Ministry for Earth will offer resources and a series of online programming for individuals, families, and entire congregations to engage together on “The Path to Healing & Regeneration”. This annual offering spans from the Spring Equinox/World Water Day to World Biodiversity Sunday, weaving together wisdom for healing and regeneration on personal, social/cultural, and ecological levels. More details will be provided soon!

ACTIVATION

Help Unlock a Matching Grant to Create Climate Justice

Your donation will help build the engagement of UU youth, young adults, people of color, religious educators, seminarians, and ministers in the Create Climate Justice ministries and strategic planning processes. UU Ministry for Earth is fundraising for a $2,500 matching grant from the UU Funding Program to empower these folks in planning for the future of Climate Justice activism and ministry. You can make a secure donation at our online site.

UU the Vote for Climate Justice 

It’s crunch time for electoral organizing, and there are many great opportunities on the horizon to make a difference with UU the Vote. Sign up for at least one of the phone banks taking place (each call provides training!), and make sure you also mark and clear your calendar for the Gather the Spirit mass mobilization event on Wednesday, September 23rd at 4:30pm PT / 5:30 MT / 6:30 CT / 7:30 ET.

EDUCATION

People of the Land: Healing From the White Supremacy & Colonization Pandemic
Session #3 - Allies and Accomplices
September 18th at 4pm 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 a 90-minute session, held every third-Friday through December. Aimed primarily at non-tribal members, participants will learn how to build authentic relationships with the tribe and help protect their sacred sites. Register HERE for one or more upcoming sessions.

2020 General Assembly videos now available!

The UUA has made the 2020 GA On-Demand Library available to the public on Vimeo. In addition to the major GA worship services, business sessions, and reports, the library includes the Ware Lecture by Naomi Klein, featured speaker presentations, learning stage presentations, and workshops all previously available to GA registrants only.  Enjoy and share widely!

Of note, UUMFE recommends the Plymouth 400th Remembrance Series session on Decolonization and Earth Justice (#606) with UUMFE Program Director, Aly Tharp. And the three-part series on Learning from Providence: Climate & Environmental Justice Training (Sessions 622-2, -2 and -3) co-led by UUMFE Board member Doris Marlin, manager of Create Climate Justice’s Strengthen Local Climate Commitments (SLCC) campaign.

CONNECTION

Celebrate the Fall Equinox with The Condor & The Eagle!
Tuesday, September 22nd 
6:30pm-9 PT/ 7:30pm-10 MT/ 8:30pm-11 CT / 9:30pm -12 ET

Celebrate the Fall Equinox and National Voter Registration Day with this screening of the award-winning documentary, The Condor & the Eagle! Lummi Nation Council Member Fred Lane will join the after-film discussion, and a portion of the film proceeds will be going to the Tokitae Fund of the Lhaq’temish Foundation in partnership with the Lummi Nation. UUMFE is actively seeking more congregational co-hosts for this screening and the events scheduled in October & November. 

Bonus Recipe

Creamy Vegan Tomato Soup

The best thing about this recipe is the tips and tricks for how to bulk it up and make it “fancy”, as well as how to “fix” the soup should your garden tomatoes be slightly sour or too acidic.

Visit UU Ministry for Earth online at uumfe.org
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