General Assembly generosity, reports from UU the Vote and Side with Love, and more No images? Click here Friend, you are receiving this email in gratitude for your recent support of the UUA. You can update your preferences or unsubscribe at the bottom of this email. Friend, The withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan stirs up many memories:
I never knew my cousin Louis, but I grew up with his mother. I kept his picture in the pulpit of the church I served in Portsmouth, NH, to remind me what’s at stake in our efforts to build a more loving, just and peaceful world. I never knew my neighbor, but I did know his children. They were in school with my sons. These memories also remind me of the importance of UU community ministers—ministers who touch lives well beyond the walls of congregations. UU chaplains serve in hospitals, prisons, and the military. They provide essential, inclusive spiritual care, often to people navigating extraordinary challenges. Each year, a few donors designate gifts supporting the UUA’s work with military chaplains through the Military Ministry Fund. Special fundraising efforts have financed printings of Bless All Those Who Serve, a multi-faith collection of spiritual readings distributed to those serving in the Armed Forces. I am grateful for the chaplains who provide pastoral support, help share difficult news, and share spiritual practices. I am glad to know they will be there to meet those returning from abroad, to support the transition back. Your generosity touches lives in ways you may not even imagine. Thank you for the ways you give and serve, Rev. Lauren Smith Seasons of Giving will be taking a brief break in August to rest and plan for the coming year. The next issue will be in your inbox in early September. President's Report to General AssemblyRecent messages from the UUA and President Susan Frederick-Gray:UU Generosity Shines at General AssemblyThis year marked the second all-virtual General Assembly (GA), originally slated to be held in Milwaukee. GA attendees once again demonstrated their generosity, contributing $213,316 to support the Living Tradition Fund, Katie Tyson Fund for Youth and Young Adult Ministries, Side with Love—as well as this year's Sunday worship beneficiary, MICAH: Milwaukee Inner-city Congregations Allied for Hope. General Assembly Business Updates, Recordings AvailableHere are a few updates from this year's General Assembly, the second all-virtual (originally planned for Milwaukee, WI):
Missed GA, or simply want to re-watch it? You can check out videos of publicly-streamed events such as General Sessions, worship services, and more here. Side with Love Consolidates UU Justice WorkSince its inception, Side with Love has articulated one of Unitarian Universalism’s most cherished values: that it is a spiritual practice to choose love over fear. UUs are most powerful when we understand that all the issues we care most deeply about are fundamentally interlinked, and that each of us has a role to play in building a world in which all people can be free and thrive. Moving forward, all of the UUA's justice work—including Create Climate Justice, LGBTQ+ and Gender Justice, Love Resists, and UU the Vote—will be housed under the Side with Love banner. Visit the new Side with Love Action Center to learn about current justice initiatives or watch the new SWL video. UU the Vote Issues Final ReportThe UUA Organizing Strategy Team has released its post-election assessment of UU the Vote, Lessons on Electoral Organizing in the 2020 Election. The 18-page report lays out UU the Vote's strategy for implementing an integrated, multi-level, multi-strategy campaign to engage UUs across the United States for the 2020 electoral cycle and beyond. This report also looks at the unexpected emergence of Covid-19—which upended months of preparation—and the pivot to virtual organizing that resulted in more than 3 million voter contacts in the 2020 election. Network of Hospitality for Bridging YouthThe UUA’s Office of Lifespan Faith Engagement—in collaboration with the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church—is piloting of a new network of hospitality for UU youth who are bridging out of their high school years. The network aims to connect bridging youth to the congregation where they will be living post-graduation. Whether they’re staying in the same place, or moving far away from home, bridging youth may appreciate connection and community in this new life stage. Watch out for Phishing Attempts Targeting CongregationsThe UUA cautions UUs to be alert to various email scams or “phishing” attempts that leverage recipients’ connections to the UUA or their local congregation. Congregations have reported efforts where the scammer pretends to be the minister of a congregation, requesting urgent help from a congregation member. Sometimes the sender claims to be traveling abroad or otherwise unable to access cash. The most recent example is an email purporting to come from UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray saying, “I have a request I need you to handle discreetly.” As is common with these types of scams, if you reply to “Susan,” “she” will request that you purchase eBay gift cards as part of a charitable initiative. No reputable entity, not the UUA nor your individual pastor, will email or text you requesting that you purchase gift cards on their behalf. Do not reply to or engage with anyone sending such a request. For more tips on how to recognize scams like this, see blog post from UUA IT staff Tim Byrne, Recent Phishing Scams Targeting UUs. Masks in ChurchSee UUA.org for more information about masking at in-person worship services. Text of the comic strip: Person #1: We're both vaccinated, why are we still wearing masks in church? Person #2: Kids under 12 aren't. Have you ever tried getting kids to do something adults won't? (masked family with children in the background) Person #2: Plus some folks' bodies don't produce a lot of antibodies, or can't get vaccinated. And they might not want to stand out. And it's not welcoming to ask visitors if they're vaccinated! Upcoming Events and DeadlinesUU Office at the United Nations (UU@UN) Upcoming Panel DiscussionTuesday, July 20, 12 pm PT / 3 pm ET "Right to a Fair Trial: International Human Rights, Extrajudicial Killings, and Demilitarizing the Police:" Police militarization and extrajudicial killings around the world are a rising threat to international human rights. Panelists will offer different perspectives on this alarming global trend, and how we can aim to change course towards law enforcement practices and bodies that respect the rights and freedoms of their citizenries. Virtual event to be held on Zoom - register now! UU@UN Intergenerational Spring Seminar Volunteer DeadlinesJuly 26 - Youth Dean applications due Be part of planning the 2022 Intergenerational Spring Seminar hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Office at the United Nations. The planning team will convene in September to design intergenerational programming that is inclusive, engaging, and inspiring. Board of Trustees Zoom GatheringsTuesday, July 27, 4 pm PT / 7 pm ET - Open House. Pre-register here. One way the UUA Board of Trustees serves the members and member congregations of the UUA is through open communication and transparency in its own work. To encourage open dialogue, the Board hosts monthly Open Houses. Bring your comments, questions, and suggestions, and chat about the Board’s work and the UU issues that matter most to you. Learn more about the Board of Trustees on UUA.org. Seasons of Giving is the monthly e-newsletter from the UUA's Stewardship and Development Office. Questions can be directed to Suzanne Murray at development@uua.org or (617) 948-4392. Check UUA.org and UUWorld.org, as well as UUA regional websites, for the latest updates. |