The Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ) special collection on December 17th will support the Na’ah Illahee Fund. This fund supports and promotes the leadership of Indigenous women in the ongoing regeneration of Indigenous communities in the Pacific Northwest. Their work addresses climate and environmental justice, food security and food sovereignty, civic participation, youth leadership, and advancing regenerative economies from a personal to systemic level.
The ASJ Committee thanks WUUC members and friends for their generous support of our monthly special collections, which take place during services on the third Sunday of every month. Instructions for giving are posted during the service, and you can also donate anytime the following week at https://onrealm.org/wuuc/-/give/now, or by sending a check to WUUC at P.O. Box 111, Woodinville, WA 98072. Please make checks out to WUUC and write “ASJ Special Collection” in the notes.
Kimbrough Legacy Circle: the WUUC Endowment Fund recognizes those who have given $10K+ either directly or as part of their estate plan. The fund is an investment in the long-term health of WUUC. An endowment can serve many significant purposes. It could be a source for short-term funding of an activity WUUC would not be able to fund otherwise, or a means to take advantage of unusual major opportunities for growth or service, or even as a source of financial backup in case of major emergency. Consider contributing as part of your end-of-year giving plan. Learn more at wuuc.org/endow.
In October our Special Collection sponsored by Advocates for Social Justice (ASJ) will go to support Oxfam’s work in the Middle East. Respect for the human rights of all people is at the crux of Oxfam’s mission and their basic common humanity. Following the horrific violence in communities in Israel and fighting in Gaza, Oxfam has called for the release of hostages and an end to the cycle of violence. “Israel has the right to defend its people from attacks and has the obligation to protect civilians in the Occupied Palestinian Territory under international humanitarian law,” says Oxfam America President Abby Maxman. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly deteriorating after many days of bombing and the blocking of basic humanitarian assistance. Food, safe shelter, and medical care are already out of reach for hundreds of thousands of people. Support this work with a tax-deductible gift that will help fight inequality and save lives.
The ASJ Committee thanks WUUC members and friends for their generous support of our monthly special collections, which take place during services on the third Sunday of every month. Instructions for giving are posted during the service, and you can also donate anytime the following week at https://onrealm.org/wuuc/-/give/now, or by sending a check to WUUC at P.O. Box 111, Woodinville, WA 98072. Please make checks out to WUUC and write “ASJ Special Collection” in the notes.
The UU Common Read builds community in our congregations and our movement by giving diverse people a shared platform for reflection and a shared focus for action. A Common Read can take us on a powerful faith journey as we explore what it means to be human and accountable in a pain-filled world.
The Common Read 2022-23 is Mistakes and Miracles: Congregations on the Road to Multiculturalism. Authors Nancy Palmer Jones and Karin Lin—a white minister and a lay person of color—explored five UU congregations’ journeys toward Beloved Community and share the joy, disappointment, and growth these congregations found.
From the authors: “The world has seen much turmoil, pain, and yes, glimmers of hope, in the three years since Mistakes and Miracles‘ publication. As we enter a Common Read of this book, we find ourselves receiving its report with a changed spirit, an urgent need, and perhaps new hope for multiculturalism and antiracism work in our congregations and our movement.”
A study guide for use in group discussions is in the works. We are considering hosting a WUUC book discussion later this year once the guide becomes available. Copies will be made available for checkout in the library.
Our WUUC Community was given a chance to participate in a survey of topics related to the Widening the Circle of Concern report from the UUA. If you have not yet had a chance, you are encouraged to review it (hard copies available to borrow in library). These are the results (55 respondents). Of those who responded:
60% had read or skimmed the report.
Of those that had not, 58% were interested in reading it.
Are changes needed at WUUC?
63% thought some changes were need at WUUC to address racial inequities, biases.
9% agreed changes were needed but that it was not a priority for us.
19% were unclear on how the report recommendations would apply to us.
9% disagreed with the report method and mandates.
What additional conversations would you like to see happening (multiple choice)?
74% are comfortable or very comfortable in conversations about race, identity, equity.
56% wanted to see more Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) learning opportunities.
48% wanted more opportunities to interact with and assist marginalized communities.
48% wanted a closer examination of our WUUC D&I practices and policies.
Should we have more conversations about race, D&I?
77% were willing to participate in or lead more D&I conversations.
79% were willing to participate in or lead training in having difficult conversations.
While it’s a challenge to hear from everyone in the community, 55 responses represent a significant number (about 1/3 of us) and is a good directional indicator of what people are thinking and feeling.
These questions elicited many strong reactions and opinions. Conversations around these sensitive topics need to happen thoughtfully and in safe, covenantal spaces. We have an opportunity to collectively get better at having these conversations without causing harm.
The WUUC board will be considering what to do next in response and how to make D&I work a priority for the coming church year. If you have specific questions about the survey, feel free to contact ctaylor@wuuc.org.
