April 2022

My name is Rev. Connie Yost, and I am a member and Treasurer of the Oregon Poor People’s Campaign (PPC). I am coming to Washington, DC, on June 18 because I believe that the PPC is the most effective way for us to come together across all divides to address the interlocking injustices of systemic racism, poverty, ecological devastation, militarism, and the war economy, and the false moral narrative of religious nationalism.  

The PPC addresses these evils and changes the narrative to one that centers our hearts and actions on what is moral and right for the 140 million poor and low-income people in the US. Our Unitarian Universalist Principle of justice, equity, and compassion in human relations drives us to work for healthier and more equitable economic systems.

The numbers show that a fusion coalition of Black, White, Latino, Asian, and Native poor people and their allies can shift the outcome of elections and public policy. The PPC gives us a way to live out our Unitarian Universalist values while working to build the Beloved Community where everyone is supported in living healthy, safe, and sustainable lives. Working with others gives us HOPE and STRENGTH to continue until true equity is achieved. Together, we become friends and resist the lies of scarcity and difference that seek to keep us divided.

I invite you to join me in Washington, DC, June 18.

UUSJ is an avid supporter and partner of the Poor People's Campaign (PPC). UUs around the country also work closely with PPC and support its mission. 

Mobilizing UUs For June 18, 2022, With PPC
If you intend to participate on June 18th in DC, with The Poor People’s Campaign please let us know by filling out this form. You can also use the form to volunteer to help plan UU involvement for June 18 with the UUA’s PPC Council. For nuanced questions contact Pablo DeJesus, UUSJ Executive Director (pdejesus@uusj.org). 

Connie is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister. She currently serves as President of the Board of Farm Worker Ministry NW and serves on the board of the National Farm Worker Ministry. She is the founder and coordinator of Friends Stay Warm, a nonprofit ministry dedicated to supporting low-wage workers and immigrant detainees through cash assistance and advocacy. She serves on the Faith Labor Committee of Portland Jobs with Justice and is the Treasurer of the Oregon Poor People’s Campaign. Connie also serves as a trained spiritual director, preacher, teacher, activist, and minister of rites of passage.

Board Member Search
Due Date May 1st

Want to carry the flame of peace, love, and social justice to federal decision-makers? Join the Board of UUs for Social Justice in DC!

UUSJ has been active in Washington, DC, for over 20 years, and we are now a national group. The key to accomplishing our goal of empowering UU values in the legislature is a vibrant board of trustees. We're looking for five new members for our Board of Trustees to help us continue building a dynamic, effective social justice advocacy organization representing our UU values in the U.S. Capitol and White House! Acting together as UUs we can sharpen our denominational presence and have a greater impact.

These are challenging times for our country and the world. Fundamental decisions regarding values, priorities, and commitments face the administration and our legislators. Our UU values of respect, justice, equity, and compassion must be at the forefront. Through advocacy, education, and engagement UUSJ is an important voice in the nation’s capital. 

For more information, contact Chloe Emily Ockey, Nominating Committee Chair (info@uusj.org). Applications for nomination to the Board are due by May 1, 2022. 

UUs Call For To Restoring Asylum and Ending Title 42

During March, the UUSJ Immigration Action Team focused on the Write Here! Write Now! letter-writing campaign on Restoring Asylum and Ending the Misuse of Title 42 as part of a joint campaign with UU Service Committee (UUSC). 

More than 80 people attended the related Issue Briefing (video). Speakers included Daniel Tse of the Haitian Bridge Alliance and Nicole Ramos, lawyer with Al Otro Lado. UUSJ and UUSC also cosponsored an event lifting the voices of asylum seekers in Mexico (video).

The Immigration Team also arranged meetings with both House and Senate staffers, from both parties, on key subcommittees with jurisdiction to advocate on the issues and learn more about the prospects for congressional oversight of this executive branch function. Meetings are ongoing as of the date of publication, but the Team is engaging with the offices of Senators Cory Booker (NJ), Tom Carper (DE), Dick Durbin (IL), Maggie Hassan (NH), Amy Klobuchar (MN), Jon Ossoff (GA), and Thom Tillis (NC), as well as Representatives Judy Chu (CA), Lou Correa (CA), Clay Higgins (LA) and John Katko (NY). More meetings may occur as follow-ups.

An administration policy change is expected, and everyone is waiting to scrutinize whatever it is. Activists and advocates worry that the proposed measures will not meet the need to restore asylum. (The Biden administration plans to stop turning away immigrants under a public health rule in May)

UUs Combine Forces to Restore Asylum

Unitarian Universalists from around the country are urging the administration to end the misuse of Title 42, halt expulsions, and restore asylum access at U.S. borders. This comes in response to UUSJ and UU Service Committee’s joint campaign. Original co-signers included the UU Refugee and Immigrant Services and Education (UURISE), the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), Texas UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM), UU Justice Florida (UUJF), UU Ministry for Earth (UUMFE), UU Mass Action Network (UUMAN), UU Justice Ministry of North Carolina, (UUJMNC), and the Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA).

Read words and messages of solidarity with refugees and affirmation of a need to restore asylum from around the country.

See an op-ed piece in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel by Josh Leach of UUSC. Josh is a member of the team working on the joint campaign on the matter of Asylum and Title 42.

National Day of Action to End Title 42 Rally

As part of the joint campaign for UUs, UUSJ and UUSC proudly partnered with the #Welcome With Dignity campaign and Interfaith Immigration Coalition members for a fair, humane, and dignified asylum system at the March 21 rally.

• Find out more about The Welcome With Dignity Coalition and Interfaith Immigration Coalition 
• Hear first-hand accounts from asylum seekers from March 21
• Listen to March 17 Briefing with UUSC

UUWF is hiring a full-time grassroots organizer to organize and help manage and implement existing and new justice advocacy programs. Seeking women, femme-identifying, or gender expansive people (UU or not) who have experiences, expertise, and/or passion for building power for women and girls. Job description

Register for Launch Party Here

This joyful and inspiring event will include an analysis of the electoral landscape this year, information about states and ballot issues UU the Vote will be focusing on, stories from the field, introductions to partners in this work, and plenty of music, laughter, and joy! Use UU the Vote’s Media Kit to share this with your congregation and community.

UUTV is also hiring a UU the Vote State Strategist, qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. See details.

After the Protests: Democracy as a Spiritual Practice
Session II: Thursday, April 14, 7:30pm ET on Zoom
Register Here

Join us for part two of the ongoing compelling two-part series on Democracy as a Spiritual Practice. After the Protests, which explores how we can engage and rebuild our civic society to bring our democracy back into balance. This program is led by the Rev. Sharon Welch, professor and author of numerous books (including After the Protests), and First Parish in Concord’s Social Action Manager, Rev. Paul Langston-Daley. The first session was held on March 31 (Strengthening our Civic Muscles)(video forthcoming). Everyone is welcome to register for the second session.

This series is co-sponsored by Reclaim Our Democracy, First Parish in Concord, First Church in Belmont, the UU Church of Manchester NH, and Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice.

Write Your Senators to Modernize the Electoral Count Act - Action Alert

The Electoral Count Act (ECA) regulates the counting of President and Vice President electors by the joint session of Congress. The lack of clarity and the potential for abuse fueled many disputes over the 2020 Presidential election results. A draft of the revised bill for discussion has been put forth by Senators Angus King (ME), Amy Klobuchar (MN), and Dick Durbin (IL). More ECA information is available on this ECA web page put together by Protect Democracy and this 6-minute video.

The Democracy Action Team had several informative meetings on the ECA with Sen. Susan Collins (ME), Sen. Tim Kaine (VA), and Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ). There is general bipartisan support for the bill, but there is disagreement on how to reform the Act. After an initial push, it is now moving slowly due to other Senate priorities (Ukraine, budget) and realizing that it will take time to reach a bipartisan consensus.  

Meanwhile, it’s unlikely that any substantial elements of the Freedom to Vote: John Lewis Act will make it into the final bill, given the difficulty in agreeing on the bill basics and Republican opposition to voting rights reform. 

Sen. Collins' office hoped to get a draft of the bill in the next couple of months and then send it to Senate Rules Committee for review and markup. The hope is to get it done by the end of the year. 

Virtual Pilgrimage to US-Mexico Border
April 1 - 3, 2022
Various times by date
Registration (Space Limited)
Scholarships and Discounts Available

In solidarity with UU Refugee & Immigrant Services and Education (UURISE), Via International, and UU Justice Ministry of California, we share a unique new online immersion for UUs and UU-aligned individuals interested in learning and engaging with the realities of immigration at the California border. We realize this is late notice; hopefully, you have received our previous email.

Write Here! Write Now! Letters from Constituents Urging Oversight On Asylum and Title 42

Dear Representative Trahan,

I volunteer with immigrant groups and see the vast majority of immigrants as amazingly appreciative, resilient, family-oriented, and hopeful. I completely reject the way immigrants from Central America are treated by our country.

Concord, MA

••••••••••

Dear Representative Steube,

My Catholic faith teaches it is our duty to welcome the foreigner out of charity and respect for the human person. I ask you to press the administration to restore fair access to asylum, as swiftly as possible, and end the misuse of Title 42. They should stop blocking and expelling asylum- seekers at our borders.

The current policy violates U.S. immigration law and international treaties.

Rotonda West, FL

UUSJ Joined Nearly 700 Faith Leaders in a Letter Applauding The Administration’s Actions to Welcome Ukrainian Refugees, and Urge Welcome Without Discrimination

UUSJ joined the letter, calling for the same care and urgency for all those seeking safety regardless of their place of birth, race, creed, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

See the link to the Interfaith Immigration Coalition press release.

Displacement and Human Rights: All In for Climate Justice

2022 Intergenerational Spring Seminar 
Friday, April 22 - Sunday, May 1
RSVP by April 10

Join the 2022 Intergenerational Spring Seminar, hosted by the UU United Nations Office, UU Ministry for Earth (UUFME), and Side with Love. Climate-forced displacement is when people have no choice but to leave their land due to the long-lasting effects of Climate Change.  An increasing threat to humanity, Climate Change can be seen globally on many different levels, ranging from natural disasters, coastal flooding, droughts, crop failures, wildfires, and more. 

The World Bank’s 2021 Groundswell report estimated climate-forced displacement could affect up to 216 million people worldwide by 2050. The people displaced will need to find new homes and new jobs. If they are unable to move within their country, they will need to fight for safe asylum elsewhere. 

Register now for the 2022 Intergenerational Spring Seminar (registration closes April 10).

Rally To Stop The Mountain Valley Pipeline
April 7 - 7pm ET
Zoom RSVP

On Thursday, April 7 at 7:00 PM ET, we will gather on Zoom for ‘We Believe We Will Win: A Rally to Stop the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). The rally brings together community leaders in Virginia and West Virginia to share how they achieved MVP wins, what it will take to stop this disastrous pipeline, and how you can help. If the pipeline were completed and put into service, the greenhouse gas emissions could be equivalent to 19 million passenger vehicles, 23 coal plants and account for at least 1% of all greenhouse gasses from the US energy sector. The MVP is a climate and ecological nightmare.

Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) is a proposed 303-mile-long fracked gas pipeline that is steamrolling its way through Virginia and West Virginia. The pipeline threatens freshwater, land, and life in Appalachia.

Water Is Life

This year, in conjunction with UU Ministry for Earth (UUMFE), UUSJ is promoting the 2022 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Action Alert. Side With Love also promoted the alert.

Low wealth, tribal, and communities of color face a greater risk of flooding due to past failures. The hardships in recovering after flood disasters compound personal and societal impacts on health, livelihoods, and the environment. In UUSJ’s Action Alert, we tell Congress that nature-based solutions must be a part of every WRDA 2022 Bill. Solutions that include restoring wetlands, flood plains, oyster reefs, and coastal forests can effectively address increasingly extreme weather events brought about by climate change. Nature-based solutions avoid many of the ill effects of human-built infrastructure while boosting coastal economies and benefiting fish and wildlife.

Climate Convergence

The UUSJ Water Resources Development Act Action Alert was featured in this year’s Climate Convergence as part of the skill-up segment. Our Environmental Action Team volunteers collaborated to shape the alert and a great video about our approach (narrated by UUSJ Executive Director Pablo DeJesus (watch here). Each year the Convergence brings together Congregational lay leaders and religious professionals passionate about climate justice to listen to programs by various UU organizations to develop mutual understandings, fellowship, and enhance related skills.

[Image courtesy Legacy Museum]

Establishing Commission to Study Reparations

Congress is finally taking steps to address the injustice of slavery with the introduction of H.R. 40, a bill to establish a commission to study and develop reparation proposals for African-Americans.

The commission will evaluate the impacts of slavery and discrimination in the United States, starting in 1619 up to the present day. It will study our government’s role in supporting slavery and the role of public and private discrimination against freedmen and their descendants. It will also examine the continuing adverse effects of slavery on African American people and society. From that analysis, the commission will present and recommend appropriate remedies.

Much of the socio-economic hardship African Americans face today can be traced back to this period of Slavery in our history. Slavery morphed into Jim Crow laws, segregation, redlining, mass incarceration, and underfunded schools. Federal policies have consistently positioned African Americans as second-class citizens throughout our history.

Mass Poor People’s Assembly & Moral March on Washington!
RSVP: poorpeoplescampaign.org/june18

Mobilizing UUs For June 18, 2022, With PPC
If you intend to participate on June 18th in DC, with The Poor People’s Campaign please let us know by filling out this form. You can also use the form to volunteer to help plan UU involvement for June 18 with the UUA’s PPC Council. For nuanced questions contact Pablo DeJesus, UUSJ Executive Director (pdejesus@uusj.org).