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Dear Beloveds,


Photo by Aly Tharp. Image shows January image for Molly Costello’s 2021 Calendar in a bed of lemon balm. The print is a blue rectangle with constellations of people connecting hands, and the quote “We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness.” from Thich Nhat Hanh.

Last week, American citizens (and the whole world) witnessed a direct assault on democracy as rioters breached and looted the Capitol, wreaked havoc, and caused injuries and loss of lives in a failed attempt to subvert the democratic process. UU Ministry for Earth condemns this act of violence and repeated attempts to invalidate the results of a free and fair presidential election.

UUMFE affirms Unitarian Universalism’s Fifth Principle, “the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large,” and supports our Unitarian Universalist Association’s statement denouncing the complicity of national leaders with extremists. As our UUA said, “This is a time for true accountability and courageous action in pursuit of a more just, equitable, multiracial, and pluralistic democracy.”

The work of creating environmental and climate justice demands a strong democracy, accountability, and courageous actions. Even as the United States transitions to a more environmental and climate-friendly Administration, let us remain vigilant, focused, and steadfast in our response to climate urgency. 

Holding elected officials at the local, state, and national levels accountable for enacting and implementing climate-friendly policies and practices is the work of UUs everywhere.

As a national organization, UUMFE signed onto The Climate President Action Plan, ten steps for President Biden’s first ten days, and #PlasticFreePresident, eight priority actions for President Biden’s first year. UUMFE also continues advocating for energy justice and a moratorium on utility shut-offs during the pandemic. (Letter being released soon!)

The road ahead appears daunting and the way not always clear. But, this we know: to preserve our Earth home and the flourishing of life for future generations, we are responsible for what happens next. 

As always, we are grateful for your support and all the ways you bring your time, talent, and heart to this vision of climate justice for our future. 


With joyful resolve,
Rev. Cindy Davidson
Board Chair

 

 

 

INSPIRATION


Graphic by Rev. Sara Green

Announcing: Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC) Caucus On Climate Justice 

Climate change affects everyone, but it surely devastates communities of color and disadvantaged people around the globe. Unitarian Universalists have a long and ongoing commitment to fighting to reverse the effects of climate change. A new caucus is forming for people who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People Of Color (BIPOC), supported by UUMFE, that will focus on the intersections of racial and economic justice, environmental justice, and climate justice. The caucus is in formative stages and plans to launch a series of programs, starting in February. Rashid Shaikh, member of First Parish Cambridge, and Paula Cole Jones, member of All Souls DC, are co-leading this effort. To sign up, or to reach out to Paula and Rashid for more information, please fill out the form linked below.

 


 


Graphic courtesy Project Drawdown

Build with the Project Drawdown UU Networking Group 

Thursday, January 14 at 5 pm PT/ 6 MT / 7 CT / 8 ET via Zoom

Over 3,000 people gathered online for the National Council on the Environment and Science and Project Drawdown 2021 joint conference. Researchers, activists, and leaders, including youth, young adults, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), shared insights on technological, ecological, regenerative, and social solutions to “drawdown” carbon in the atmosphere. Despite the absence of “silver bullets” to reach net-zero emissions and re-sequester carbon, attendees left energized by the parting words, “It is our responsibility to act based on our abilities to respond as individuals and communities, people and nations for the benefit of our future generations.”

Doris Marlin, Strengthen Local Climate Commitments (SLCC) campaign manager and UUMFE Board member, invites UUs interested in using the Project Drawdown framework and exploring short-term projects UUs can implement to join the UU Networking Group.

ACTIVATION


Graphic courtesy of the Carrizo Comecrudo Tribe and UUSC

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

Webinar Series Session #6 - Eagle Pass-Mine & Other Tribal Sites
Friday, January 15 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 final session will feature conversations about supporting efforts to protect additional tribal sites currently under the threat of fracking. 

 


Graphic courtesy Take Action MN

Support the Growing Movement to Stop Line 3 

UUs are called to show up in solidarity with Indigenous and frontline communities to stop the Line 3 pipeline. Water protectors have been putting their lives on the line to disrupt the ongoing construction of this tar sands pipeline – the time is now to witness and act! Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance has put together this helpful list of resources for UUs to plug in; sign up for updates! 

Here are a few ways to take action:

  • Sign up to phonebank with Take Action MN. Tuesdays 4-6pm PT / 7-9pm ET. 
  • Sign up to textbank with Take Action MN. Wednesdays 1:30-3pm PT / 4:30-6pm ET
  • SUPPORT & SHARE these calls for solidarity.
  • TELL BIDEN to Stop Line 3.
  • SIGN the Pledge of Resistance from MN350.

Know an attorney with criminal defense experience to represent water protectors as pro bono or low bono work? Email PLANLine3@gmail.com or fill out this form.

EDUCATION


Graphic courtesy UU Office at the UN

All In For Climate Justice

Register Now for the 2021 Intergenerational Spring Seminar! 
April 9-11, Online

REGISTER HERE

Register by March 18 for the 2021 all-virtual Intergenerational Spring Seminar, All In for Climate Justice: Food Equity and Sustainability, hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Association Office at the United Nations in partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth.

The Seminar will take place online April 9-11, 2021, and aims to instill in Unitarian Universalist youth and adults a commitment to global engagement and the skills to take action locally to address global issues. 

 


Graphic courtesy All We Can Save

Young Adults Reflect on Climate Feminism in All We Can Save

Over the span of ten weeks, a small group of UUYACJ network members met every Saturday to discuss each chapter of All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis: Co-edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, and Katharine K. Wilkinson, the book weaves a quilt of voices, each sharing their vision for what feminist climate justice can mean. Combining poetry, essay, and visual art, this range of artforms celebrates the diversity of walks of life, theories of change, and skills we need to create climate justice. Read UUYACJ reflections and start your own circle!

CONNECTION

Intergenerational Climate Circle - Session #2 

Thursday, January 14 at 4-5:30pm PT / 5 MT / 6 CT / 7 ET

As the climate movement mobilizes for this important decade of action, grounding in intergenerational wisdom is a powerful tool. UU 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. These spaces are intended to cultivate a deeper understanding and relationship among and between generations. Co-hosted by UU Young Adults for Climate Justice Network, UU Ministry for Earth, and Elders Climate Action.

 

Get Involved with Elders Climate Action

Elders Climate Action (ECA) is a national organization mobilizing elders to fight for climate and environmental justice – and has been a partner with several UU Ministry for Earth programs. Made up of chapter organizations around the country, ECA aims to revitalize a cultural shift to reclaim the role of older generations in sharing wisdom and support for today’s movements. SIGN UP today! 

YOUNG ADULTS


Graphic courtesy The Red Nation

Join the UUYACJ Red Deal Political Education Group! 

Dates TBA
**Open to Young Adults (ages 18-35)**

Over a series of 6 weeks, Young Adults will gather to read and discuss the Red Deal, a platform for Indigenous-led collective liberation and Just Transition from the Red Nation. These sessions will center the platform in the context of the Green New Deal and other platforms to win a Just Transition and offer space for community building and advocacy. All readings will be available online for free. 

 


Graphic courtesy UU College of Social Justice

Apply for the GROW Fellowship! 

APPLY by February 1

Young Adults are invited to apply for the upcoming GROW Fellowship, a collaboration between the UU College of Social Justice and the UUA's Thrive Program for Young Adults of Color. Building on past sessions of GROW (Grounded and Resilient Organizer Workshops), this cross-movement cohort will gather over weekly 1-hour sessions on Monday evenings, starting mid-March through mid-August. Bringing together UU organizers, activists, and change-makers, the fellows will learn community organizing skills from bold, grounded leaders, and craft strategic visions for ongoing justice work. Fellows will receive a $250 stipend. Email Alex Sherwood, asherwood@uua.org to apply and for more information.


 

Register Now for the PowerShift Convergence! 

Sign up with UUYACJ 

Power Shift 2021 is a massive youth climate convergence taking place in New Orleans April 16-18 (but may become a virtual convergence spanning additional days -- the announcement will come in February). The convergence will bring together climate, environmental, and social justice communities for training, strategizing, panel discussions, and more. If you are a Youth or Young Adult interested in attending, sign up with the UUYACJ cohort! The full cost is $65; scholarships available. 

January 

Food Justice Month Panel Discussions (Hosted by First Universalist Society of NY)

  • Tuesday, January 12 at 4pm PT/7pm ET: Food Justice and Climate Change
  • Tuesday, Jan 19 at 4pm PT/7pm ET: Food Security and Hunger in NYC
  • Tuesday, Jan 26 at 4pm PT/7pm ET: Food Waste and Composting

March

Sacred People, Sacred Earth - Global, Faith Climate (Hosted by GreenFaith - March 11, 2020)

The Path to Healing & Regeneration - Spring for Change: A Season of Sacred Activism (March 20-May 23, 2021)

  • March 20-21 - Spring for Change Opening Celebration 
  • April 9-11 - “All In for Climate Justice: Food Equity & Sustainability” Intergenerational Spring Seminar - Register today
  • April 16-18 - Powershift Convergence UUYACJ Cohort 
  • April 18 or 25 - Earth Day Sunday Services
  • April 22 - Earth Day
  • May 21 - Endangered Species Day
  • May 22 - Biodiversity Day
  • May 23 - Biodiversity Sunday Services

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Recordings from Past Events

People of the Land: Healing from the Pandemic of White Supremacy & Colonization
Webinar series with the Carrizo/Comecrudo Tribe of Texas - Hosted in partnership with UUSC, Texas UU Justice Ministries, UU Ministry for Earth & UUA Green Sanctuary Program’s Environmental Justice Practitioners Network webinar series. Catch up on past session recordings in preparation for the final session of the series this Friday:

UUs for Social Justice 20th Anniversary Celebration Program Video 
Watch UUMFE and partners speak at this December 2020 celebration, and renew the commitment to continue social justice work through advocacy at the United States Capitol! 

Climate Convergence: Faith & Indigenous Organizations Session

Watch this 2-hour session from the Climate Convergence in December 2020, which brought together hundreds of partners to create bold climate legislation. This session features Faith & Indigenous leaders; all sessions are also available on YouTube. 


BONUS RECIPE: 

January is also “Veganuary” - resolving to incorporate more plant-based foods into your routine? Check out this list of 31 dishes, including this scrumptious Vegan Butternut Squash ‘Carbonara’ with Coconut Bacon + Crispy Sage.

 


Visit UU Ministry for Earth online at uuministryforearth.org.
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