Instead of the usual Social Justice Committee meeting (the second Sunday of the month during the potluck after service) this month is our annual planning meeting and potluck dinner on Fri, May 16 at 6:30 pm at Beth Brunton's home near Bradner Garden in the Mount Baker neighborhood. All who are interested in furthering the social justice mission of RVUUC are welcome! For directions, contact Beth.
What are some of the human impacts of changing land use and housing? Post WWII booming suburbs and abandoned inner cities are now being replaced by difficult issues of urban gentrification, private vs. public development, public/private partnerships, and more. On May 2 at 7 pm, the Rainier UU Center hosts a screening and discussion of the recent social justice documentary Chocolate City. “Through the experiences of four women, Chocolate City tells the story of 400 Washington DC residents being forced from their homes due to rising property costs and reconstruction.” Sponsored by the RVUUC Social Justice Committee.
Come early at 6:30 for coffee, conversation, and dessert. The forum is free but donations to cover building usage are appreciated. For childcare, RSVP to Dick Burkhart.
The Diversity Committee is dedicated to supporting all aspects of the congregation in its efforts to foster multicultural awareness, services, and membership. Current projects include working with the International District Housing Association to host English language talk-time groups for Vietnamese seniors as well as working with the Yesler Terrace Community Council to host a series of workshops to help community members understand how to get involved meaningfully in the democratic process. We are also working through the steps to become an official Welcoming Congregation (GLBT-friendly) of the UUA; the final step is happening on May 18, when the congregation will vote on it at the Annual Meeting. For more info, talk with Rosemary Adang.
As part of our outreach efforts, RVUUC agreed to partner with the Yesler Community Council to host a series of workshops on civic participation in the ongoing process of public decision making about the future of Yesler Terrace. The goal has been to help Yesler residents find out about their rights and engage in the redevelopment process. The next activity is a potluck dinner for Yesler Terrace neighbors on May 3 from 5-7 pm at the Rainier UU Center (835 Yesler Way). The goal is to come together and talk about strategies for getting our concerns heard and our needs met during the Yesler Terrace redevelopment process. Everyone from RVUUC is invited, whether you’re there to talk about redevelopment or just to break bread, injera, rice, and more with our Yesler Terrace neighbors. For more info or to help with hosting, talk with Rosemary Adang, Mike Wold, or Kristin O'Donnell.
A Green Sanctuary is a congregation that lives out its commitment to the Earth by creating a sustainable life style for its members as individuals and as a faith community. Sustainable living is not about our material comfort (although these choices are an important part of the overall life style); it is about choosing to live in a way that nurtures life, builds relationships, and rejects material consumption as the sole determinant of happiness. The Green Sanctuary program is part of the UU Earth Ministry. What can we learn from other UU congregations about becoming Green Sanctuaries, and what steps can we take? If you're interested in exploring this topic, talk with Dick Burkhart.
At the 2007 annual meeting of Washington Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice, our statewide legislative advocacy network, RVUUC member Dick Burkhart was elected to serve as Secretary of the Board. See the UU Voices website for more on how you can get involved in this important social justice ministry and influence bills that address UU Voices’ agenda: poverty, homelessness, global warming, and children’s health care
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