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UU Ministry for Earth

Dear friend,

Weeks into efforts to contain the further spread of the COVID-19 virus, I wonder what stories you have to tell. Stories of life in pandemic times once seemed to me to be the stuff primarily of apocalyptic, dystopian fiction. And, yet, here we are, characters from all walks of life, writing new future stories of our own while we build the roads forward as we travel them. We are Ministers of and to this Earth, each journeying in our own ways towards a healed and restored Earth, creating climate justice and making real a more just and sustainable world for all.
 
For UU Ministry for Earth, this storyline is not new, even though the details of settings and plotlines have changed a bit unexpectedly. Like other non-profits, we are learning to adapt our plans to evolving realities, adjust our expectations, and defer some of our dreams just a bit longer. Yet, we remain steadfastly committed to affirming the ultimate value of the interdependent web of life, to working collaboratively in community, and to bringing both compassion and creativity to our work so that collectively we can be wise stewards and effective climate justice activists.
 
UUMFE finds much to celebrate even during these challenging times. We are grateful for your participation and the many ways you have been showing up to connect with others in our shared work.
 
Last month, on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day,

  • Over FOUR Million people tuned in for Earth Day Live, three days of live programming expanding on the planned climate strikes.
  • Over 700 households attended one of UUMFE’s screenings of The Condor and The Eagle.

UUMFE is exploring ways to be fully present at our UUA’s virtual 2020 General Assembly gathering in June, where we will be presenting workshops and be part of the closing ceremony, Young Adult caucus events, and the online exhibit hall. We hope a more affordable and less travel-dependent gathering invites wider participation and engagement, and look forward to connecting with you. Stay tuned for updates!   

We are forever grateful for the trust you show in UUMFE each time you make a donation.  Your one-time and recurring gifts help sustain our work and shared ministries for Earth. Today is #GivingTuesdayNow --- can you make a gift today to support these vital ministries? Thank you for building and traveling the road towards climate justice and the flourishing of all life with us.


Rev. Cindy Davidson
Board Chair, UU Ministry for Earth 

INSPIRATION

 

Watch the Denomination-wide UU Climate Action Roundtable Recording

Facilitated by Aly Tharp (UU Ministry for Earth), this call gives you an inspiring overview of how Unitarian Universalists are united and moving in a myriad of ways to Create Climate Justice! Hear messages from the UU Ministry for Earth, UUA Organizing Strategy Team, UUA President’s Plymouth 400th Remembrance Council, Water Protector Prisoner Support Network, UUA Green Sanctuary Program, the UUA divestment, and reinvestment efforts, UUs for Social Justice, Citizen’s Climate Lobby UU Action Team, SLCC - Strengthen Local Climate Commitments campaign, UU Young Adults for Climate Justice & UUA Emerging Adult Ministries.

Dispatches from an Amazing Spring Seminar

Watch the keynote speeches and read Amelia Diehl’s write-up about the intergenerational Spring Seminar hosted by UUs at the United Nations. 

CONNECTION


Image courtesy UN Global Impact

Biodiversity Sunday Multi-Generational Online Program

May 17th @ 11 am PT / 12 MT / 1 CT / 2 ET

Celebrate biodiversity by tuning into this multi-generational program with Rev. Dr. LoraKim Joyner & Aly Tharp. Please help spread the word! This program is appropriate for families, Religious Education classes, eco/climate teams, individuals, and entire congregations to tune into together! Scientific data indicates that we are in the early stages of Earth’s 6th mass biological extinction (aka Holocene extinction or Anthropocene extinction — caused by habitat loss, climate change, pollution, etc.).  It’s more important than ever to come together in faith to witness, celebrate, and protect the beautiful life on this planet.

ACTIVATION

UUs for Social Justice and UUMFE Letter-Writing Campaign

Friday, May 8, 3 pm ET

Join our Zoom online letter-writing campaign to tell your senators to address global warming by taking action to phase down the production and replace one of the most dangerous “super pollutants” — hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a powerful greenhouse gas with vastly more heat-trapping capacity than carbon dioxide — with safer alternatives.  During this session, we will write letters to send to our senators  Sign-up here

The Condor & The Eagle

UU Ministry for Earth will be screening The Condor & The Eagle twice per month for the rest of the year, and is seeking congregations and action teams to partner as co-hosts for each of these screenings in order to bring this important film to your congregation! Please spread the word and sign up! The next screening that your team/congregation can join as a co-host is on 5/21.

EDUCATION

Seeing Systems: Peace, Justice, and Sustainability

Looking for a way to deepen your learning and stay connected with others? Consider adapting an Ecochallenge.org Discussion Course to an online meeting format. Discussion course books present a rich selection of readings and are designed to be a guide for community building, transformative learning, and life-changing action.
 
EcoChallenge.org, formerly Northwest Earth Institute, recently released its second edition of Seeing Systems: Peace, Justice & Sustainability. This six-session discussion course book is available in print or digital format. To read the Table of Contents and preview the first session, It’s All Connected, click here.

Bonus Recipes

Fresh Vegan Vegetable Spring Rolls


Visit UU Ministry for Earth online at uumfe.org
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