Sunday, March 6, 2016

10:30 am: It’s JUSTICE SUNDAY: Service and WELCOMING LUNCH.
The Knock at the Door” Pam Sparr from UU Service Committee, will speak of the Syrian refugee crisis & what we called to do as Unitarian Universalists and people of faith and good will. Pam is Associate Director for Justice Building at UUSC based in Boston. Special music by Gary Daniels & Harry Ragland.

11:45 and beyond:

We are having a “WELCOMING LUNCH” to meet our local Syrian refugee families and friends. Breaking bread together is the universal way to create community. You will meet several families. The families have children ages newborn to 21. (Translators will be present). Children and Youth welcome.

A Potluck lunch for everyone. Please bring something to share (no pork). All other foods are OK. Please Come. Share in community.  Representative of the Islamic Center of Claremont will say a few words of introduction.

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) was founded in 1940 to rescue refugees from Europe during World War II. UUSC has been doing social justice work ever since. Justice Sunday is UUSC’s annual program to learn about and take action on a key human rights issue. More info at www.uusc.org

These are the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations:

They will be in place for the next fifteen years. You can go to the following website to find out more about the goals: sustainabledevelopment.un.org

Time To Act:

In light of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals , the following “Time to Act” suggestions are related to the First SDG:

End poverty in all its forms everywhere Raise the Minimum Wage: Help the UUSC and UUA lobby for a fair minimum wage by signing on to their statement at http://actnow.uusc.org/site/PageNavigator/Newdesign_UUA_UUSC_Minimum_Wage_Statement.html

Campaign for worker’s rights: Our partners at the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee have information on “Fight for $15”, “Justice in the Food Chain”, and “Compassionate Consumption” at http://www.uua.org/economic/livingwage

Tell the CEO of Wendy’s fast food chain to join the Fair Food Program at: https://secure2.convio.net/uusc/site/Advocacy;jsessionid=3BB6BE617298278C07DB7E41AFCE6FF0.app267a?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=438&autologin=true&AddInterest=1023

Host a screening of the film “The Dark Side of Chocolate” or sign petitions to promote the rights of workers at http://www.laborrights.org/action-center

Thanks to Jeanine Little, our UU UNO liaison, for sharing this.

Guest at Your Table is an annual fundraising and education program that supports UUSC’s human rights work. We invite everyone to take part: individuals,
families, small groups, congregations, and community organizations. Over the decades, Guest at Your Table has raised millions of dollars for human rights projects that have made a real difference in people’s lives.
This year Guest at Your Table highlights the empowerment of refugees and displaced people. One of UUSC’s major focuses is serving the people who are most overlooked or discriminated against in the midst of humanitarian crises such as forced migration, large-scale conflicts, genocide, and natural disasters. As UUSC celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, we’ll look back to our origin: Martha and Rev. Waitstill Sharp helping European refugees escape persecution during World War II. We are excited to share several inspiring stories this year!
See more at: http://www.uusc.org/guest-at-your-table-forbeginners
Thanks to Anne Thorward for being our UUSC representative

Sunday, October 11th was a beautiful hot day in Claremont for the 42nd Annual Walk for the Hungry sponsored by the Inland Valley Hope Partners a local organization that supports six food pantries, a women and children’s homeless shelter and most recently CHAP an organization that works primarily with homeless men.

Leading off the Monte Vista UU Congregation team of walkers, some 22 plus, was our very own youth team carrying a beautiful banner naming our congregation. Yes, there were the walkers, those of us who can walk, but just as important there were those who supported the walkers with cash and checks for walking. Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much”.

All together as a team this congregation raised $2,657.00 dollars. This surpassed our goal of $2,500. This action for our community provided the opportunity for us to express together the second UU Principle of “Justice, Equity and Compassion in Human Relations”.

Thank you all.

Kathy Mason, Walk Co-ordinator